La Morte Accarezza a Mezzanotte

AMG Review of La Morte Accarezza a Mezzanotte

Stephen Cook
All Music Guide

Based on a Dario Argento theme and directed by Luciano Ercoli, the 1973 Italian detective thriller La Morte Accarezza a Mezzanotte gets the high-end jazz-lounge treatment, compliments of composer/conductor/arranger Gianni Ferrio. As with other original soundtracks and compilations on Easy Tempo, the mix here ranges from organ oogaloo tracks to spooky and dark string orchestra affairs. There are also plenty of harpsichord, flute, fragmented piano, and breathy vocals (compliments of singer Mina and Morricone veteran Alessandro Alessandroni) to shadow the film's myriad moods and punctuate arching violin passages and brass-heavy foreboding. A fine accompaniment to a Saturday night alone with that favorite gothic horror pulp.