Category: Soundtracks (Digital)

BEND TIME BACK ‘ROUND (by Paula Abdul: Greatest Hits)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date September 29, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:56 Min.

First released in 1992 on the Beverly Hills 90210 TV soundtrack, this dance-pop tune was not a track on any original Paula Abdul album. However, it has been subsequently included on at least two Abdul retrospective compilations: 2000’s Greatest Hits and 2007’s Greatest Hits: Straight Up!

REVIEW:

It’s vintage Abdul, as far as this tune sounding like some lost relic from 1988’s Forever Your Girl album. Both Abdul’s endearing vocal performance and a catchy Late 80’s dance melody make the most of the song’s unremarkable lyrics. For Paula Abdul fans, the energetic “Turn Time Back ‘Round” is a nostalgic pop treat, in large part due to its relative obscurity.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars

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LOVE THEME FROM SUPERMAN III (by Giorgio Moroder {& Helen St. John}: Ewok Celebration)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date July 22, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:15 Min.

Recorded for 1983’s Superman III film soundtrack, Giorgio Moroder supplied its instrumental love theme utilizing synthesizer romantic pop.

Note: Helen St. John is officially credited on the soundtrack as the love theme’s performer, though Moroder produced much of the long-out-of-release album.

REVIEW:

Given how Superman III explores Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) & Lana Lang’s (Annette O’Toole) platonic Smallville reunion, this exuberant instrumental oddly has no place within the film’s storyline. At most, there may be a few faint strands briefly heard in the movie’s underwhelming background (or possibly it was meant for some subsequently deleted scene). More so, Moroder & St. John’s soaring tune doesn’t necessarily age well forty years later.

For its time, the theme’s lush sound serves up appealing ear candy, though nothing in the melody resonates with Reeve’s Superman whatsoever. Contemporary listeners, however, couldn’t be blamed for deeming this theme an excess of Early 80’s instrumental romantic drivel, as filtered through a synthesizer. Case in point: there’s at least on-line version (possibly a cover) credited to St. John that reeks of electronica dreck.

If one still wants to find a presumably authentic version, there’s an obscure source. Released in 1983, Meco’s Ewok Celebration disco novelty album includes Superman III’s dreamy love theme (credited to Moroder only) on its B-side. Unlike the on-line St. John track, this rare Moroder rendition is relatively enjoyable on its own merits – without linking it to the cinematic Man of Steel.

Notes: As of this writing, Ewok Celebration is still available as a vinyl. The album was also released in cassette form.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

Classical Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital)

PSYCHO – SUITE FOR STRINGS III. THE SWAMP {Cover} (by Jura Margulis: The Most Frightening Music in the Universe)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date April 19, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:33 Min.

In homage to composer Bernard Hermann’s score for 1960’s Psycho film, Russian pianist Jura Margulis contributes this orchestral track. This instrumental cover appears on the 2009 classical compilation album: The Most Frightening Music in the Universe.

REVIEW:

Despite the instantly ominous undertone, this track quickly becomes too quiet. Listeners will have to crank up the volume just to capture the instrumental’s full effect. Possessing a remarkably authentic sound, this cover succeeds in conjuring up one’s imagination of Anthony Perkins as the original Norman Bates.

Yet, the track is likely too short to leave enough of a lasting impression, as far as being a solo download option.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital)

MAKING TODAY A PERFECT DAY (by The Cast of Frozen Fever: 2015 single)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date April 19, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:01 Min.

Frozen’s animated 2015 mini-sequel, “Frozen Fever,” has a cold-stricken Elsa guiding her sister, Anna, through a series of birthday surprises inside and outside their castle. Partially told through narrative dialogue, “Make Today a Perfect Day” primarily features Frozen cast members Idina Menzel & Kristen Bell, with help from castmates Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, among others.

REVIEW:

Working off a well-scripted narrative, Kristen Bell (as Anna) and Idina Menzel (as Elsa) are in endearing form. Josh Gad’s Olaf and Jonathan Groff’s Kristoph also make nice contributions amidst this catchy song’s chorus. As charming as this track is, the sole odd note is the demure finish — a poignant last dialogue exchange between Elsa and Anna is so faint that it’s practically inaudible. For Frozen fans, this tune makes an ideal addition to related playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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Movies & Television (Videos) Music Videos Online Videos Soundtracks (Digital)

ROMANCING THE STONE (by Eddy Grant: original 1984 music video)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date March 26, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:32 Min.

Intended for 1984’s Romancing the Stone co-starring Kathleen Turner & Michael Douglas, the title song is performed by Eddy Grant. Originally including film clips, Grant’s MTV music video was filmed in some unidentified tropical jungle. The song was subsequently demoted to a few seconds of background noise in Romancing the Stone’s theatrical release, though Grant at least received a closing credit.

Hence, it’s not coincidental that Grant’s song is also omitted from the film’s soundtrack in favor of composer Alan Silvestri’s instrumental score. The song instead would appear exclusively on Grant’s 1984 Going for Broke album.

The song has since resurfaced on Grant’s greatest-hits compilations. As for the music video, both its original incarnation and subsequent versions (disassociating itself from the film) still exist.

REVIEW:

With Grant in vintage form, the song’s upbeat reggae/funk fusion sound is undeniably catchy. Interspersed with Romancing the Stone film clips, the original music video helps distinguish the Turner/Douglas romantic adventure away from its reputation as a Raiders of the Lost Ark imitator.

Considering how hard it is to find this rollicking tune (without purchasing a complete album to obtain it), Grant’s music video is a terrific alternative. Recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

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Movies & Television (Videos) Music Videos Online Videos Soundtracks (Digital)

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING (by Billy Ocean: 1985 music video)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date March 26, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:12 Min.

Performed concert-style by Billy Ocean, the song’s MTV music video was meant to promote its appearance in the 1985 film, Jewel of the Nile, co-starring Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, & Danny DeVito. Clad in matching white tuxedos, the three stars good-naturedly lip-synch as Ocean’s back-up singers. Briefly donning shades, DeVito even throws in a mock sax solo for good measure.

REVIEW:

Overcoming the song’s clunky title, an exuberant Billy Ocean is in vintage pop form. The presence of Turner, Douglas, & DeVito is a welcome plus. For a catchy, mid-80’s soundtrack hit, When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going’s music video is a nostalgic treat to come across. In that sense, it’s a smile waiting to happen.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

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Movies & Television (Videos) Music Videos Online Videos Soundtracks (Digital)

CITY OF CRIME – DRAGNET RAP (by Dan Aykroyd & Tom Hanks: 1987 music video)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date March 25, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:44 Min.

Released in mid-1987, the big-screen buddy cop comedy/spoof, Dragnet, stars Dan Aykroyd (as LAPD Sgt. Joe Friday) & Tom Hanks (as LAPD Detective “Pep” Streebek). Heard over the closing credits is Aykroyd/Hanks’ rap parody duet entitled “City of Crime” that embellishes the movie’s plot. The song was included in the film’s official soundtrack.

To promote the film and soundtrack sales, Aykroyd & Hanks performed the song in a music video directed by Marty Callner — complete with Paula Abdul’s dance choreography.

REVIEW:

Being a huge fan of 1987’s Dragnet, not to mention this song, this reviewer eagerly spied City of Crime’s obligatory MTV music video online. Regrettably, there isn’t an internet return policy to try getting those precious few minutes back.

Wildly misguided, this campy eyesore gives the word ‘obligatory’ a bad name. Not only is the acting cringe-worthy, but the rudimentary dance choreography (including female back-up dancers predictably dressed as sexy squad room cops) never escapes a sense of clueless amateurism.

This assessment defines a foolish-looking Aykroyd & Hanks, as somebody conned them into simultaneously singing (most likely, lip-synching) and dancing. Instantly qualifying for their career-low lists, the actors and Paula Abdul (considering her high-profile choreography gigs of that era) should be mortified that this insipid music video actually still exists.

One might shrug off this mistake as the players merely goofing off with the wacky song. That defense, in a stretch, could even suggest “City of Crime” is a parody of mid-80’s rap videos. Even if such a claim were proven true, quality control still took the day off when this dreck was actually filmed.

Had the “City of Crime” video instead been a conventional Dragnet movie clip-fest (with Aykroyd & Hanks appearing in character for ‘live’ cameos), there shouldn’t have been a problem. Unfortunately, the misguided end result is one of the worst movie soundtrack videos ever concocted.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 1½ Stars

BATDANCE (by Prince: 1989 music video)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date March 25, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 6:14 Min.

In the spring/summer of relentless ‘Bat-hype,’ Prince released MTV’s Batdance music video to promote both the 1989 film, Batman, and his own accompanying soundtrack.

Playing dual roles as himself in a ‘Batcave’ and as his nefarious Joker-like counterpart, Prince exuberantly performs the upbeat pop/dance/funk fusion track. Back-up singer-dancers clad as Batman (or really more man-sized bats), the Joker, & Vicki Vale are incorporated. Also interspersed in the video are audio clips of Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, & Kim Basinger in character from Batman.

Notably, this music video has appeared as an extra on the film’s DVD and Blu-Ray releases.

REVIEW:

Though the song risks overstaying its welcome, Prince’s visual creativity conjures up one of the most original soundtrack music videos ever produced. Designed for teens and above, Prince’s video also cleverly succeeds in baiting viewers into wanting to see the film.

Still, there are two glaring parental caveats. First, on his hands and knees, Prince’s lascivious smirk up at the cameras while smugly crawling, tunnel-like, between the legs of his Vicki Vale impersonators comes off as both vulgar and just plain creepy. Then there is Prince’s unnecessary profanity just prior to the end of the song, which makes no sense. In either instance, the inevitability of young kids viewing Prince’s suggestive video makes such optics an irresponsible choice.

Assuming Prince was given full creative control, that might explain why Warner Bros., and/or DC Comics let him get away with over-sexualizing the song. Then again, selling movie tickets and Bat-merchandise probably meant the video’s corporate sponsors couldn’t have cared less.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars

Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance Soundtracks (Digital)

ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK {from Chess} (by Murray Head: Broadway’s Greatest Leading Men)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date March 1, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:16 Min.

This offbeat pop tune by Murray Head was first recorded as a single for the 1984 concept album that preceded the high-profile stage musical, Chess. The song’s chorus is performed by Swedish performer Anders Glenmark. The tune’s celebrity writing team includes Tim Rice and two ABBA alums: Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus. “One Night in Bangkok” has occasionally resurfaced on compilation albums, including 2000’s Broadway’s Greatest Leading Men.

Note: A five-minute version (which incorporates an orchestral overture) is also available on the official Chess soundtrack.

REVIEW:

Despite throwing shade at Thai culture, the song’s upbeat nature still delivers an entertaining analogy to the stage play’s Cold War-era chess match. Notably, without its symphonic overture, the tune starts somewhat abruptly. While Murray Head and Anders Glenmark deliver spot-on performances, the track’s best and most intriguing component is its distinctive melody.

Considering the star power that composed this radio-friendly gem, “One Night in Bangkok” is a show tune worth re-discovery.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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