Jeff Beal lends talents to "Appaloosa" soundtrack

Historically Westerns have produced some of the most memorable movie music in cinema history. Composer Jeff Beal brings his unique talents to the Western genre when APPALOOSA, released through New Line, opens in theaters September 19th, soundtrack available on Lakeshore Records September 30th. In addition to Beal’s score, the film features the song, “You'll Never Leave My Heart” sung by the film’s director and co-star Ed Harris; music by Beal and lyrics by Harris.

In describing writing music with Harris, Beal explains, “its fun to hear this voice come out of him in character. He's a natural! We tried to make it feel like a classic cowboy song from the 50's.” Beal first worked with Ed Harris on Harris’ film directorial debut, Pollock

Jeff Beal is a three-time Emmy Award® winner: main title of Monk; original dramatic score on TNT’s telefilm Nightmares and Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King; and this week for The Company. He is also an eight-time Emmy-nominee, including three for HBO’s Rome and Carnivale.

Jeff Beal traverses writing for both TV and film. He composed the score for the upcoming film Salomaybe?, directed by Al Pacino. His other film composing credits include the documentary The Pixar Story, Ping Pong Playa, Spirit of the Marathon, and The Passion of Ayn Rand.

Steven Schneider (regular contributor to the NY Times) wrote of "...the richness of Beal's musical thinking - the ways in which he conceives of his solos as fully-developed mini compositions, while his compositions often capture the liveliness and unpredictability of the best improvisation."

Oscar® nominee Viggo Mortensen, four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris, Academy Award® winner Renée Zellweger, and Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons star in the Western APPALOOSA, adapted from the Robert B. Parker novel.

Set in 1882 in the Old West territory of New Mexico, APPALOOSA revolves around city marshal Virgil Cole (Harris) and his deputy and partner Everett Hitch (Mortensen), who have made their reputation as peacekeepers in the lawless towns springing up in the untamed land. In the small mining community of Appaloosa, a ruthless, powerful rancher named Randall Bragg (Irons) has allowed his band of outlaws to run roughshod over the town.

After the cold-blooded murder of Appaloosa’s city marshal, Cole and Hitch are hired to bring the murderer to justice. While establishing new authority with equal parts grits and guns, Cole and Hitch meet provocative newcomer Allison French (Zellweger), whose unconventional ways threaten to undermine their progress and to destroy the two lawmen’s decade-old partnership.