Song of the Day #1923

Song of the Day: How the West Was Won (“Soundtrack Suite”) [YouTube link], composed by Alfred Newman, provides the musical backdrop for this 1962 all-star epic Western, narrated by Spencer Tracy, directed in five chapters, variously by Henry Hathaway, John Ford, and George Marshall. Now that we are at the sixtieth anniversary for 1962 films, it’s interesting to note that some critics consider this to be the greatest year at the movies. Tomorrow’s entry will provide some additional evidence to support that debatable contention. But there’s no denying that the year was a box office bonanza for the epic genre, and this score is as epic as it gets. And for an extra-special treat, check out a jazz version of the main theme played by Joe Pass on 12-string guitar [YouTube link].