Kill Bill, Vol 1 Soundtrack
Released: September 23, 2003 Origination Year: 2003 Time: 45:53 Tracks: 22 Produced by: Quentin Tarantino Style: Studio/Collection Format: CD Enhancement: None Website: N/A

I’m going to start this by clearly stating that, as a soundtrack to a Tarantino film, the stamp on this soundtrack is unmistakeable. Having said that, let me add that this soundtrack is not as entertaining and enjoyable as the ever popular Pulp Fiction soundtrack is.

Tarantino’s filming style is often complemented by the offbeat songs of his youth. It can be said that his films are indirect offshoots of those songs, some of them originating from themes like the goofy serial, The Green Hornet and its theme as played by Al Hirt. The frenetic, surrealistic series of the early 60s as well as the Saturday Samurai fests at local theatres are the cloth that Kill Bill is unabashedly cut from.

Kill Bill starts off with a solemn track from Ol’ Blue Eyes’ daughter, Nancy Sinatra. Her sassy 60s hit, “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” is the perfect backdrop for a film that centers in on female ninja styled fighting and betrayal. The guitar work is excellent in that it complements Nancy’s voice and tempers the lyrics quite nicely, being the style that epitomized the 60s. The outcome of this sad song will get any listener lost in the story while symbolizing The Bride’s (Uma Thurman) bloodlust for Bill in the film.

Another catchy track is “That Certain Female” by Charlie Feathers, a great rockabilly tune with defining vocals about his search for that “Li’l Bitty Woman” that explodes with an irresistible guitar tune – oow!

Bernard Hermann’s “Twisted Nerve” should be listened to with caution because it WILL get stuck in your head. The entire track consists only of some creative whistling and an orchestra in the background. But be warned, its addictive quality - and it does have an addictive quality - could serve to grate and twist the nerves of any co-worker or companion. You’ve been warned.

“Queen of the Crime Council” is a scene from the movie wherein Oren Ishi (Lucy Liu) lays down Crime Council policy with the aid of a translator. She makes an example out of a decapitated, disgruntled “crimee” and thus crafts a perfect intro into her own “Ode” which is the next track. “Ode to Oren Ishi” is by the influential The RZA (Wu-Tang Clan). A sample from “7 Notes in Black” (Vince Tempera & Orchestra) mixed with the RZA’s lyrical genius makes for a great modern day ode unlike any you’ve ever heard.

I have a theory that the 7th track on most records are really good and it happens to ring true on this record with a 1974 recording of “Run Fay Run” by Isaac Hayes. A catchy tempo paves the way for this groovy, tribal sounding instrumental.

“Battle Without Humor or Humanity” by Tomoyasu Hotei takes the “9 spot” and is basically just another good instrumental movie track fitting in well with an action scene.

The 5,6,7,8’s are a Japanese female three piece that actually appear in the film and are responsible for the song “Woo Hoo”. “Woo Hoo” is a very simple, repetitive song that is, at once, catchy. It was stuck in my head for a couple of hours after leaving the theatre.

The rest of the album provides another “short and sweet” track by the RZA, an awful track by Zamfir, a few thought provoking excerpts (one by Quincy Jones) and some trippy "Kung Fu Stings and SFX".

Like the rest of you, I’m looking forward to seeing the sequel, due out soon and rumored to be titled Kill Bill Volume 2, The Bitch is Back.

Track Listing:
CD - Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) (Nancy Sinatra); That Certain Female (Charlie Feathers); The Grand Duel (Parte Prima) (Luis Bacalov); Twisted Nerve (Bernard Hermann); Queen of the Crime Council (dialogue); Ode to Oren Ishi (The RZA); Run Faye Run (Isaac Hayes); Green Hornet Theme (Al Hirt); Battle Without Honor or Humanity (Tomoyasu Hotei); Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (Santa Esmeralda); Woo Hoo (The 5, 6, 7, 8s); Crane/White Lightning (The RZA/Charles Bernstein); The Flower of Carnage (Meiko Kaji); The Lonely Shepherd (Zamfir); You're My Wicked Life (dialogue); Ironside (excerpt) (Quincey Jones); Super 16 (Neu!); Kung Fu Stings and SFX (The RZA); Flip Sting; Sword Swings; Axe Throws.

Various Artists.