Vivi o preferibilmente morti

Digitmovies, in collaboration with Gruppo Sugar, releases on CD the complete edition in full stereo of the OST by Gianni Ferrio for the western movie “Vivi o preferibilmente morti” (aka “Alive or Preferably Dead”) directed in 1969 by Duccio Tessari based on a story and scenario by Ennio Flaiano and starring Giuliano Gemma, Nino Benvenuti, Sydne Rome, Chris Huerta, Antonio Casas, Georges Rigaud, Brizio Montinaro. When he dies, the old Archie leaves his two grandchildren Monty Mulligan (Gemma) and Ted Mulligan (Benvenuti) a legacy of 300000 dollars, which they can receive provided that they will live together for six months. Different by natures and habits, the two do not seem to be able to get together. As both of them are penniless, however, they decide to form a common front to get their hands on the money. At the time, C.A.M. issued a 33 rpm album (CAM SAG 9023) with 18 selections in stereo (30:32), then reissued in 1992 for the first time on CD in CAM's soundtrack encyclopedia series (CSE 037) with rather questionable sound filtered with dolby surround. For our CD we could use the first generation master tape of the original 33 rpm album (without filters or anything else) and thanks to the stereo master tapes of the original session we were able to find out about 19 minutes of unreleased material that bring the CD to a total duration of 49:34. Gianni Ferrio wrote an OST with American flavour with country songs (Tr. 1, Tr.3, Tr.6, Tr.11, Tr.18) played by John Ireson & Wayne Parham (also known as The Wilder Brothers), a march for the Salvation Army sung by Lilian Terry (Tr.12), a Christmas-style tune performed by I Cantori Moderni di Alessandroni (Tr.4). The author alternates these songs with love themes, foxtrot, Charleston tunes (as a background to the first cars which appeared in the old West), music for epic rides on the prairie, suspense and action music that makes the comment an extremely varied and enjoyable listening experience. Among the extra material there are also performances in Italian of the album versions in English, including the one used for the theatrical trailer where the singer introduces the characters and their actors Giuliano Gemma and Nino Benvenuti. A right and proper rescue and preservation of the Italian Western and the music art of Gianni Ferrio.