© 2002 Lawrence Tuczynski

Title: Yojimbo
Japanese Title: Yojimbo
CD Label: Toho Music Corporation
CD Number: AK-0006
Music by: Masaru Satoh
Number of tracks: 60
Running time: 54:22
Number of discs: 1
Year of release/manufacture: 2002

REVIEW

April 12, 2002

This soundtrack is from the 1961 movie "Yojimbo", one of my favorite Akira Kurosawa films and probably one of the best known Kurosawa films outside of Japan along with "Seven Samurai". This film was the basis for the Clint Eastwood Italian spagetti western "A Fistful Of Dollars" and later the Bruce Willis film "Last Man Standing".

The music on this disc is all Mono but sounds great. With 60 tracks and a running time under 60 minutes, most of the tracks on this CD are pretty short cues. The music has a very catchy main theme running throughout the disc that has a jazz feel to it and is typical of the style Masaru Satoh (also spelled Sato) used in many of his soundtrack compositions including his Godzilla score. There is a fair amount of repetition on this disc but is also a fun stand alone listening experience. The music also works great in the film and if you haven't seen the film I heartily suggest seeing it.

Yojimbo

Track Translations courtesy of Jolyon Yates

  1. Titles
  2. Wellside
  3. White Horse Lodge
  4. Unpleasant Reception
  5. Indomitable Plan
  6. Ronin Arrives
  7. Bodyguard Sale
  8. Kuwabatake Sanjuro
  9. Daylight Escape of Master Honma
  10. Sanjuro Heads for Trouble
  11. High-up Visit
  12. Big Trouble
  13. Deceptive Calm
  14. Burlesque
  15. Streetfight
  16. Inokichi Heads for the Sake Dealer
  17. Orin & Inokichi
  18. Scene at the Station
  19. Hansuke's Reception
  20. Unosuke (the gunman)
  21. Night Attack
  22. Sanjuro's Hand Souvenir
  23. Women
  24. Sanjuro, Ushitora's Origin
  25. Unosuke & Sanjuro
  26. Hostage Exchange 1
  27. Surprising Hostage
  28. Hostage Exchange 2
  29. Hostage Exchange 3
  30. Hostage Exchange 4
  31. Go, Sanjuro
  32. Flash Fight
  33. Gratitude
  34. Retaliation
  35. End of Resistance
  36. Found Out
  37. Sanjuro's Crisis 1
  38. Sanjuro's Crisis 2
  39. Sanjuro's Crisis 3
  40. Wits
  41. Escape 1
  42. Escape 2
  43. Final Problem
  44. Imminent Crisis
  45. Strange Basket Dealer
  46. Graveyard Sanjuro
  47. Going to War
  48. Station Showdown
  49. Moment of Victory
  50. Ending

    Bonus Tracks

  51. Titles (alternative take)
  52. High-up Visit (alternative take)
  53. Burlesque (Basic 1)
  54. Burlesque (Basic 2)
  55. Scene at the Station (alternative pattern)
  56. Sanjuro's Hand Souvenir (alternative pattern)
  57. Flash Fight (alternative pattern)
  58. Sanjuro's Crisis 2 (from tape)
  59. Titles (rehearsal)

    Reference Extra

  60. Preview Music : KUROBE BECOME GREAT