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EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS II: EDDIE LIVES! [Movie Soundtrack]

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 43 Min.

The belated (and quickly-forgotten) 1989 sequel to “Eddie & the Cruisers” is probably best construed as a feature-length rock video supporting this underrated soundtrack.  Once more, John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band (including saxophonist Michael “Tunes” Antunes) provide the real music behind ‘Eddie Wilson’ and a new generation of Cruisers.  As with the original film, Volcano Entertainment III again releases the soundtrack.  The tracks are: 

  • 1.         “Runnin’ Thru the Fire”          (3:35)
  • 2.         “Just a Matter of Time”           (4:09)
  • 3.         “Open Road”                          (5:05)
  • 4.         “Maryia”                               (3:43)
  • 5.         “Emotional Storm”                 (5:26)
  • 6.         “Pride & Passion”                  (3:29)
  • 7.         “Garden of Eden”                  (4:47)
  • 8.         “NYC Song”                         (5:07)
  • 9.         “Some Like It Hot”               (4:14)
  • 10.       “(Keep My Love) Alive”         (3:42)

Note: The film’s five remaining songs (“When the World Was Young,” “Heat of the Night,” “Chain Reaction,” “A Fool & His Money,” and “Sleep Walk”) were eventually released on the 1991 compilation entitled “Eddie & the Cruisers – The Unreleased Tapes.”

REVIEW:

As a Beaver Brown Band album, the blue-collar Eddie II is well-balanced and often flat-out entertaining.   John Cafferty’s gravelly voice is in vintage form.  Some high energy rock erupts in the form of “Runnin’ Through the Fire,” “Maryia,” and “Pride & Passion.” A pair of poignant ballads can be heard in “Just a Matter of Time” and “NYC Song.”  The R&B classiness of “Emotional Storm” stands out, as does the old-school dance hall tune “Some Like It Hot.”  The three remaining songs at least make some solid background noise.  Despite lacking a signature tune rivaling the original film’s “On the Dark Side,” this underestimated album still merits a chance for re-discovery.  

The only reason to rate the sequel’s soundtrack slightly higher than the original is that this CD has the running time of a complete album (at 40+ minutes).      

PACKAGING:

A photo of actor Michael Paré as “Eddie Wilson” in concert decorates the front cover, with the ten song titles (without running times) listed on back.   The insert also offers six film stills surrounding a photo of the Beaver Brown Band.  Unlike the audio cassette version, neither the song credits nor the song lyrics are included.      

BRIAN’S 10-STAR RATING:                   8 Stars

Note:  In 1992, Beaver Brown also released a fourth Eddie-themed album billed as “Eddie & the Cruisers: Live and in Concert.”  

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CD's Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic Soundtracks (CD's)

EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS [Movie Soundtrack]

SUMMARY:                         RUNNING TIME: Approx. 32 Min.

In 1983, the rock ‘n’ roll mystery drama “Eddie & the Cruisers” was a box office failure starring Tom Berenger, Michael Paré, Joe Pantoliano, and Ellen Barkin.  Still, Volcano Entertainment III’s movie soundtrack by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band has endured for more than three decades as a cult favorite.  Curiously, this CD version isn’t a re-issue of the original cassette release, as at least one song has been swapped out. 

  • 1.        “On the Dark Side”       (2:43)   (Eddie)
  • 2.        “Tender Years”              (4:45)  (Eddie)
  • 3.        “Runaround Sue”          (2:16)   (Eddie)
  • 4.        “Down on My Knees”     (2:38)  (Eddie)
  • 5.        “Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes”     (2:22)  (Eddie)
  • 6.        “Wild Summer Nights”    (3:42)   (Eddie)
  • 7.        “Boardwalk Angel”          (4:32)   (Eddie)
  • 8.        “Betty Lou’s Got a New Pair of Shoes”  (1:40)  (Sal)
  • 9.        “Those Oldies But Goodies (Remind Me of You)”    (1:47)  (Sal)
  • 10.      “Season in Hell (Fire Suite)”   (6:14)   (Eddie)

Note: For “Boardwalk Angel,” George Devons is credited for additional percussion, as is Ben E. King for guest vocals.

REVIEW:

The film’s vocal magic lives on, even if it’s weird that the on-screen songs were lip-synched by actors Michael (“Eddie”) Paré and Mitchell (“Sal”) Laurance.  Yet, this album is incomplete, since actress-musician Helen Schneider’s rendition of “Tender Years;” Carly Simon & James Taylor’s “Mockingbird;” and Del Shannon’s moody “Runaway” are excludedDespite what the incomplete liner notes imply, neither Shannon’s classic song nor a tune from Charles & Inez Foxx actually appear on this CD.  Though it’s unlikely to happen, perhaps a future re-release, like the extended Top Gun and Footloose soundtracks, will finally deliver a complete Eddie soundtrack.  

The Beaver Brown Band’s Jersey barroom style is enjoyably reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny.  In tracks 1-6 and 9-10, John Cafferty’s gravelly “Eddie” vocals deliver a distinctive, almost haunting sound.  Tracks 7-8 are sung by musician-producer Kenny Vance doubling as “Sal,” in addition to his movie cameo as “Lew Eisen,” the Cruisers’ abrasive Satin Records boss.  Ideally playing Cruisers saxophonist “Wendell Newton,” Beaver Brown’s Michael ‘Tunes’ Antunes performs this album’s stellar saxophone work.  Above all, Cafferty’s timeless rendition of “On the Dark Side” remains a blast to hear.  The other songs still bring back fond memories of the film.   

Still, an oddity from the album’s initial release remains in the final track.  As the “Season in Hell (Fire Suite)” trails off, several seconds of garbled recording studio noises can be overheard.  There really isn’t any creative reason for deliberately including this static.  If it was a sloppy oversight during the original recording, then Volcano Entertainment III opted not to omit this flub.  Suffice to say, this wonderful album flies by far too fast due to its ultra-short running time.      

Note: In addition to the 1989 sequel’s soundtrack, there are two other “Eddie” albums.  A 1991 rehash entitled “Eddie & the Cruisers – The Unreleased Tapes,” finally completes the sequel’s playlist with the last five songs.  Lastly, in 1992, Beaver Brown released an unrelated fourth album billed as “Eddie & the Cruisers: Live and in Concert.”  

PACKAGING:

The outer packaging is sparse yet effective.  The front cover features the familiar movie poster image.  The back cover features a black-and-white still of Paré as “Eddie Wilson.”  The inside jacket lists Beaver Brown Band’s members and the obligatory song credits.  Song lyrics aren’t included.  Right of the film’s summarized credits is a black-and-white still of Paré, Berenger, and Antunes, as the fictional group memorably collaborates on the melody for “On the Dark Side.” 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:        7½ Stars

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FLASH GORDON [Movie Soundtrack – 1991 Re-Release]

SUMMARY:                   RUNNING TIME: 41 Min.

In 1991, Hollywood Records issued this re-release of Queen’s 1980 movie soundtrack, now including a bonus re-imagining of the title theme by Mista Lawnge.  Sampling dialogue clips from the movie, the nineteen tracks are:

Title:                                  Time:

  1. Flash’s Theme                   3:29
  2. In the Space Capsule (The Love Theme)     2:42
  3. Ming’s Theme (In the Court of Ming the Merciless)      2:40
  4. The Ring (Hypnotic Seduction of Dale)     0:57
  5. Football Fight             1:28
  6. In the Death Cell (Love Theme Reprise)  2:24
  7. Execution of Flash           1:05
  8. The Kiss (Aura Resurrects Flash)   1:44
  9. Arboria (Planet of The Tree Men)   1:41
  10. Escape from the Swamp                  1:43
  11. Flash to the Rescue            2:44 
  12. Vultan’s Theme (Attack of the Hawk Men) 1:12
  13. Battle Theme                                  2:18
  14. The Wedding March                        0:56
  15. Marriage of Dale & Ming (and Flash Approaching)    2:04
  16. Crash Dive on Mingo City               1:00
  17. Flash’s Theme Reprise (Victory Celebrations)    1:20
  18. The Hero                                        3:01
  19. Flash’s Theme (re-mixed by Mista Lawnge, 9.5)   6:43                                                                            

Note: Foretelling Queen’s 1986 Highlander movie soundtrack, actor Brian Blessed’s gleeful Vultan rhetorically ponders mid-battle in Track 13: “Who wants to live forever?”

REVIEW:

It’s like an audio highlight reel of the film.  Queen’s wildly energetic efforts is ideal for Flash Gordon’s deliberately campy approach.  The group’s instrumental work (i.e. The Wedding March) alone is superb entertainment.  Yet, it’s the magic of Freddie Mercury’s distinctive vocals that completes this album.  The only detriment is the awful Track 19 re-imagining, as an instrumental reprise of Flash’s Theme would have been preferable.  Ultimately, Tracks 1-18 delivers some top-flight Queen for the movie’s fans.     

PACKAGING:

The tracks and their running times are listed on the case’s back cover and in the booklet.  The fold-out insert provides lyrics for Flash’s Theme and The Hero; song credits; production credits; and, shaped like a record, movie stills of Flash; Dale & Zarkov; Barin; Aura; Ming; one of Vultan’s Hawkmen; and a Ming disciple.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    7½ Stars

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GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: AWESOME MIX, VOLUME 1 [Movie Soundtrack]

SUMMARY:                       RUNNING TIME: 44 Min.

Released in 2014 by Hollywood Records as the Guardians of the Galaxy film soundtrack, with eleven of the twelve songs making the movie’s theatrical cut.  The tracks are:

            Title:                                                    Artist(s)/Running Time:

  1. Hooked on a Feeling                           Blue Swede (2:54)
  2. Go All the Way                                 Raspberries (3:22)
  3. Spirit in the Sky                                Norman Greenbaum (4:03)   
  4. Moonage Daydream                            David Bowie (4:42)
  5. Fooled Around and Fell in Love          Elvin Bishop (4:37)
  6. I’m Not in Love                                 10CC (6:05)
  7. I Want You Back                               Jackson 5 (3:00)
  8. Come and Get Your Love                    Redbone (3:28)
  9. Cherry Bomb                                     The Runaways (2:19)
  10. Escape (The Piña Colada Song)           Rupert Holmes (4:38)
  11. O-o-h Child                                       The Five Stairsteps (3:15)
  12. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough    Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (2:29)

Notes: Track # 3 doesn’t appear in the film. Also, the track running times aren’t included on this CD.

REVIEW:

Keeping in mind that most of these artists are one-hit wonders, this hip compilation cranks up some unique fun.  It’s not a surprise that a few tunes won’t necessarily age well.  For instance, Track 3 gets tiresome, as if it’s played in a continual loop.  Track 9 might also blast one’s ears out, as compared to the other songs.  Otherwise, this ‘greatest hits’ playlist from Peter “Starlord” Quill’s trusty Walkman cassette player is a blast to hear.  For the movie’s fans and music buffs of the 70’s to early 80’s, this album offers enough variety to definitely make it worth checking out. 

PACKAGING:

The relatively sparse booklet insert has a two-page painting of the Guardians that bridges the appearance of the characters from Marvel Comics to the film.  The tracks and artists are listed, as well as the obligatory credits.

ROSCOE’S 10-STAR RATING:                    8 Stars

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BILLY, GET YOUR GUNS {Young Guns II} (by Jon Bon Jovi: Blaze of Glory)

SUMMARY:                    RUNNING TIME: 4:49 Min.

This rousing track appears during the closing credits of the 1990 Young Guns II film.  It’s also the first song off Jon Bon Jovi’s Blaze of Glory soundtrack for the movie.  As an intro, an audio clip of Emilio Estevez’s taunting ‘Billy the Kid’ is included.

REVIEW:

Between its trigger-happy lyrics and a catchy melody, Jon Bon Jovi takes good advantage of the rollicking “Billy, Get Your Gun.”  It’s certainly one of this album’s more memorable efforts.  Aging surprisingly well, this tune could fit into any number of potential playlists, including workouts. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7½ Stars

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TANGERINE SPEEDO (by Caviar: Charlie’s Angels movie soundtrack – 2000)

SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 3:18 Min.

Leading off with a cha-cha intro, Caviar’s dance-rock tune is the finale of the 2000 Charlie’s Angels movie soundtrack.

REVIEW:

It’s no surprise that this peppy Gen-X tune’s lyrics is loaded with sexual innuendo.  Aside from a zippy title, Caviar’s song at least has the advantage of sounding different.  Experimenting with a Mid-to-Late 90’s-style pop mash-up, the fashionably hip “Tangerine Speedo” delivers some unpredictable curves.  In that sense, this wacky tune is ideal for Nineties-themed events at nightclubs.  For that matter, it’s reminiscent of what one might expect for a Friends TV soundtrack.  “Tangerine Speedo” doesn’t likely age well for today’s generation, but it has some potential for road trips and/or workouts.       

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               6 Stars

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CROSSING THE RIVER (by The Devlins: Batman Forever movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                           RUNNING TIME: 4:45 Min.

Appearing as Track # 12, the Irish-born Devlins’ “Crossing the River” is from 1995’s Batman Forever soundtrack. 

REVIEW:

Unfairly buried on a paycheck-driven soundtrack is this underrated romantic gem.  With its indie rock-style twist, this wistful love song has every vital component: an appealing melody, articulate lyrics, and The Devlins are in top vocal form.  Short of Seal’s show-stopping “Kiss From a Rose,” this track easily wins second-place among Batman Forever’s fourteen songs (only five of which actually appear in the film).  Highly recommended! 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:             9 Stars

Note: Besides Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose,” another track from this album worth considering is Brandy’s “Where Are You Now?” – much like “Crossing the River,” it’s too easily overlooked.

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THE HUNTER GETS CAPTURED BY THE GAME (by Massive Attack Featuring Tracey Thorn: Batman Forever movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                         RUNNING TIME: 4:06 Min.

Recorded by Massive Attack with Tracey Thorn, it’s the fifth tune off 1995’s Batman Forever movie soundtrack.

REVIEW:

Despite being lost in the shuffle of Batman Forever’s hodge-podge album, the sultry “The Hunter Gets Captured By the Game” is a slice of musical ‘film noir.’  This R&B/pop hybrid isn’t all that original, but the song’s cool mystique offers a solid download option for various soundtrack and contemporary pop playlists.      

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  6½ Stars

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JUSTICE IN THE BARREL {Young Guns II} (by Jon Bon Jovi: Blaze of Glory)

SUMMARY:                          RUNNING TIME: 6:49 Min.

As the album’s longest track (including gunshot sound effects), this ‘inspired-by’ effort appears on Jon Bon Jovi’s 1990 Blaze of Glory soundtrack for the Young Guns II movie. 

Note: Also portraying ‘Chavez’ in the film, Lou Diamond Phillips is among this track’s credited back-up singers.

REVIEW:

It’s too much of a good thing.  Despite delivering one of the album’s best melodies, Jon Bon Jovi over-indulges this song, in part due to a lengthy, sound effect-laden intro.  The lyrics are solid, as is the instrumental work, but this bloated track should have edited down by one to two minutes.  As a download option, it’s accurate that listeners get their money’s worth, in terms of bang for the buck.  Yet, “Justice in the Barrel” is really more a glorified middle-of-the-pack tune that works fine on playlists, including workouts.          

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                6 Stars

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WILD WOMEN DO (by Natalie Cole: Pretty Woman movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                           RUNNING TIME: 4:04 Min.

Recorded by Natalie Cole, this upbeat pop tune is the first cut off 1990’s Pretty Woman movie soundtrack.   

REVIEW:

An energetic Natalie Cole is absolutely on her game, as the appealing R&B/pop melody makes a perfect fit for her vocals.  The downside, unfortunately, is that the suggestive lyrics brazenly play up inferences of Pretty Woman’s glamorous depiction of prostitution.  It’s a shame, since Cole’s dynamite performance would otherwise make this dance tune a contender for re-discovery.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   6½ Stars

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