Death of a Dog

Back in August I decided to start going through a folder I have called “Musick that Needs Work” (cleaning up the sound, fixing the tags, getting the art work, whatever).

I’d made it through the Ds (Dakila, Darshan Ambient, & Dot Allison) before I drifted off into Dub & harvest & krazy kat adventures. Think I’ll venture back to that dreaded folderland (it was helping me straighten out messes that I’ve left too long undone) until the end of the year (or until life once more distracts me).

Brought to you by the letter E & pertinent to out dismal times…

Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack to White Dog. White Dog is a 1982 film directed by famous cult filmmaker Samuel Fuller. The film depicts the struggle of a dog trainer named Keys (played by the great Paul Winfield) trying to retrain a stray dog found by a young actress (a ‘young actress’ Kristy McNichol), that is a "white dog", that is, a dog trained by racists to viciously attack any black person. Fuller uses the film as a platform to deliver an anti-racist message as it examines the question of whether racism is a treatable problem or an incurable condition.

The film takes a hard look at racism. Fuller's uses melodrama & metaphors to present his argument. The film’s disheartening ending makes its point that while racism is learned, it cannot be cured. Many critics have questioned the film's lack of release in the United States when it was completed in 1982 (Paramount Pictures feared “negative press”) & have applauded its belated release (2008) by Criterion.

Included is a 16 page booklet that delves deeply into the whole production-process fiascos & Fuller’s frustration with Hollywood.

Ennio Morricone – White Dog soundtrack, FSM Vol. 13 No. 3, 2010.

decryption code in comments

Tracklist –

Main Title

Sick Dog

Death of a Dog

Walking Dog

Dog’s Escape

Saving Cops

Chasing Rabbits

Dog Pound – The Girl’s Thought

Sweeper Attack

Dog’s Return

Stewardess Surprise

Untitled 3M3

Certainties & Uncertainties of the Dog

Cure or Kill – Dog’s Escape

Protected Attack

Sorrowful Julie

Cage Escape

Attack #2

After the Murder

White Dog

White Dog 2

Absent-mindedly from a Radio far Away

The Girl & her Problems

Cured Canine

Attempts at Fidelity

Death of a Dog – End Credits

Bonus tracks

Second Theme: The Girl & the Dog

Guitar Venizia

After the Murder (alternate)

Absent-mindedly from a Radio far Away (source music)

Lamb Bone Muzak

Inside the Church

Death of a Dog (part 1)

Death of a Dog (part 2 – album track)

Enjoy while we can,

NØ