Category: Soundtracks (CD’s)

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Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

IT HAD BETTER BE TONIGHT {MEGLIO STASERA} (by Fran Jeffries & Henry Mancini: 1963’s The Pink Panther movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                            RUNNING TIME: 1:57 Min.

From 1963’s The Pink Panther film soundtrack, singer Fran Jeffries performs this English-Italian language pop tune composed by Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer.  The male half of this duet with Jeffries isn’t credited.  The tune’s instrumentals are provided by Mancini and His Orchestra.

Note: Mancini’s instrumental version is also included on the soundtrack.

REVIEW:

Ever so brief but exuberantly romantic, “It Had Better Be Tonight (Meglio Stasera)” is a musical treat.  It’s a classy showtune worthy of re-discovery.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        7 Stars

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ON THE ICE (by Michael Kamen: The Winter Guest movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                  RUNNING TIME: 6:10 Min.

From 1997’s The Winter Guest movie soundtrack, composer Michael Kamen performs this piano solo instrumental.  It is Track # 10 on the album.   

REVIEW:

Poignantly beautiful as an introspective, Michael Kamen’s lush and somewhat whimsical “On the Ice” delivers a first-class instrumental.  This track is highly recommended!   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                9 Stars

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OUT HERE ON MY OWN (by Irene Cara: 1980 Fame movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                    RUNNING TIME: 3:11 Min.

From 1980’s Fame film soundtrack, Irene Cara performs this ballad written by Michael Gore & Lesley Gore.  Onscreen, Cara’s insecure Coco Hernandez performs the song while privately practicing on a school piano.  This track subsequently scored a 1981 Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song – though Cara’s title song won the award.

REVIEW:

In addition to her show-stopping title song, Irene Cara proves equally adept rendering this poignant ballad.  Despite its schmaltzy lyrics, the tune’s low-key melody is an ideal accompaniment to Cara’s spot-on vocals. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     7 Stars

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I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC (Cast: 1980 Fame movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                        RUNNING TIME: 4:59 Min.

From 1980’s Fame film soundtrack, the ensemble cast (vocally represented by Traci Parnell, Irene Cara, Laura Dean, Paul McCrane, and Eric Brockington) performs the tune. Specifically, it narrates the graduation sequence closing out the film.  

REVIEW:

It’s certainly an intriguing contrast to the album’s solo tracks.  What handicaps this tune’s dynamic melody are the peculiar lyrics making an universal allegory about maturing into adulthood hard to follow.  Intended as a show-stopper, “I Sing the Body Electric” benefits from a combination of well-played rock/orchestra instrumentals and endearing vocals. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   6½ Stars

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HOT LUNCH JAM (by Irene Cara: 1980 Fame movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                         RUNNING TIME: 4:10 Min.

From 1980’s Fame film soundtrack, Irene Cara performs this tune written by Michael Gore, Lesley Gore, & Robert F. Colesberry.  The song is performed onscreen as an impromptu lunchtime jam session by students in the High School of Performing Arts’ cafeteria.

REVIEW:

Given the cafeteria-inspired lyrics, Irene Cara’s charismatic vocals somehow transform “Hot Lunch Jam” into a relatively catchy tune.  In part, its up-tempo rock melody syncs well with Cara’s performance.  Though it is the least memorable of Cara’s three solo tracks, this song retains an innocent charm.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        6 Stars

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CD's Jazz & Blues Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

HIGH HEELS {aka Tacones lejanos or Talons Aigulles} [1991-1992 Movie Soundtrack]

SUMMARY:              RUNNING TIME: 42:00 Min.

Released in 1992 by Island Records, this album is the mostly instrumental soundtrack for Pedro Almodóvar’s 1991 Spanish language crime drama, High Heels (aka Tacones lejanos or Talons Aigulles) starring Victoria Abril.

Japanese composer/musician Ryuichi Sakamoto produced and performs most of the soundtrack; however, Spanish vocalist  Luz Casal performs Tracks 7 and 15.  The album’s twenty tracks are:

                                                              Running Time:

  1. Tema Principal                                              3:05
  2. Taco – Nes Lejanos                                       1:58
  3. Trauma                                                        3:04
  4. La Guitarra de Becky                                     1:04
  5. Plaza                                                           1:12
  6. Besos                                                           1:12
  7. Un Ano de Amor (performed by Luz Casal) 3:21
  8. El cucu 1                                                     4:28
  9. El cucu 2                                                     4:20
  10. Aesinato                                                      0:35
  11. Interroga – Torio                                           4:25    
  12. A Punto de Confesar                                     1:09
  13. Tele 7                                                           0:14
  14. El Arresto de Rebeca                                     1:04
  15. Piensa en Mi Sonata de Otono (performed by Luz Casal) 4:30
  16. Sonata de Otono                                            0:52
  17. La Liberacion de Rebeca                               1:58
  18. El Secreto de Letal                                         0:58
  19. El Viaje en Ambulancia                                 0:22
  20. Titulo Final                                                   3:03  

REVIEW:

Not overstaying its welcome, this mostly jazz-flavored soundtrack briskly flies by.  Suffice to say, it consistently exudes a sultry vibe updating film noir, with some occasional bits of levity.  The only exceptions are Tracks 8-9, which resemble pulsating techno-dance, but they still seamlessly blend into Ryuichi Sakamoto’s deft handiwork. 

Including Luz Casal’s classy chanteuse-style tunes, the High Heels soundtrack offers a solid addition to any favorite jazz or soundtrack playlist.    

PACKAGING:

The case’s back cover, as well as an insert, list all twenty tracks, but neither one provide running times.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   6½ Stars

Categories
CD's Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

THE VERY BEST OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER: THE BROADWAY COLLECTION (by Various Artists)

SUMMARY:                               RUNNING TIME: 70:00 Min.

Released in 1996, by Decca Broadway Records, this compilation album consists of eighteen tracks from nine Lloyd Webber productions.  More importantly, the tracks are provided by their most popular performers.  The tracks are:

                                                                            Running Time:

  1. “Jesus Christ Superstar” (title song)                             4:16

Performer: Murray Head

2. “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” (Jesus Christ Superstar) 3:33

Performer: Yvonne Elliman

3. “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” (Evita)                           5:53

Performer: Sarah Brightman

4. “High Flying, Adored” (Evita)                                       3:46

Performers: Evita’s Original Broadway Cast

5.. “Memory” (Cats)                                                          3:37

Performer: Betty Buckley

6. “Mr. Mistoffelees” (Cats)                                                4:06

Performers: Cats’ Original Broadway Cast

7. Lloyd Webber’s Requiem: Pie Jesu                                  3:56

Performers: Sarah Brightman & Paul Miles-Kingston

8. “Love Changes Everything” (Aspects of Love)                     3:29

Performer: Michael Ball

9. “The Phantom of the Opera” (title song)                           4:18

Performers: Sarah Brightman & Michael Crawford

10. “The Music of the Night” (The Phantom of the Opera)       5:16

Performer: Michael Crawford

11. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” (The Phantom of the Opera)   3:06

Performer: Sarah Brightman

12.  “Any Dream Will Do” (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)  2:39

Performer: Michael Damian

13.  “Close Every Door” (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)  3:48

Performer: Donny Osmond

14.  “With One Look” (Sunset Boulevard)                           3:14

Performer: Glenn Close

15.  “Sunset Boulevard” (title song)                                    3:06

Performer: Alan Campbell

16.  “As If We Never Said Goodbye” (Sunset Boulevard)         4:15

Performer: Barbra Streisand

17.  “By Jeeves” (title song)                                                3:20

Performers: By Jeeves’ Original London Cast

18. “Gus: The Theatre Cat” (Cats)                                      5:10

Performers: Sarah Brightman & Sir John Gielgud

REVIEW:

Superb!  As a glorified sampler of Lloyd Webber’s best productions, one receives a classy musical treat meant for both long-time fans and casual listeners.  It’s accurate that some of these tracks may come off as overdone puff, in terms of outstaying their welcome.  Still, given the diversity of tracks and a satisfying running time, consumers absolutely get their money’s worth. 

Note: Curiously, in Track 2, one might detect a source of inspiration for The Lion King’s “Circle of Life” melody; just listen  and decide for yourself.  Composer Tim Rice wrote the lyrics for both songs.

PACKAGING:

With top-flight production values, Della Broadway Records provides all the pertinent track information.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   9 Stars

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THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (by Sarah Brightman & Michael Crawford: The Very Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber – The Broadway Collection)

SUMMARY:                        RUNNING TIME: 4:18 Min.

From the 1986 London cast, Sarah Brightman (as Christine Daae) and Michael Crawford (as the cackling Phantom) duet the title song from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera.  This full-length track is a sampler off the 1996 compilation album: The Very Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection.  In addition as a single digital purchase, the track appears on the complete Phantom double-disc soundtrack (2001), as well as the soundtrack’s single-disc Highlights edition (1990). 

Alternatively, Crawford includes the duet on both 2005’s Michael Crawford Performs Andrew Lloyd Webber and his two-disc Ultimate Collection (from 2013).  Similarly, Brightman opens her 1999 Ultimate Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection with this song.   

Note: From Phantom, Crawford’s “Music of the Night” also appears on this same Very Best compilation album.  

REVIEW:

Propelled by an ominously up-tempo, pop-rock melody, Lloyd Webber’s original Christine and Phantom conduct a master class re: how to bring a Broadway tune to life.  Not only are Brightman’s vocals in peak form, but Crawford’s Phantom conveys his character’s spine-tingling presence in such a way that creepy visuals aren’t even necessary.  In that sense, this duo’s teamwork makes it feel plausible that Brightman’s Christine has now become mesmerized by Crawford’s wicked Phantom.

Though others have aspired to match it and some have come very close (i.e. the 2004 film version’s Emmy Rossum, in spite of an outmatched Gerard Butler), Brightman & Crawford’s rendition exudes timeless audible magic.  Highly recommended!   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      10 Stars

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RETURN TO THE PRESENT (by John Barry: Somewhere in Time movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                                  RUNNING TIME: 4:10 Min.

From 1980’s Somewhere in Time film soundtrack, composer-conductor John Barry delivers this instrumental tune (Track # 8).  “Return to the Present” depicts playwright Richard Collier’s (Christopher Reeve) romantic journey back in time coming to an unexpected end.    

REVIEW:

Reprising the main theme’s romanticism once more, John Barry’s symphonic work succeeds in gently shifting the film’s storyline towards its pivotal last stretch.  Poignantly well-played! 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                               8 Stars

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THE JOURNEY BACK IN TIME (by John Barry: Somewhere in Time movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                                RUNNING TIME: 4:29 Min.

From 1980’s Somewhere in Time film soundtrack, composer-conductor John Barry delivers this instrumental tune (Track # 3).  “The Journey Back in Time” depicts obsessed playwright Richard Collier’s (Christopher Reeve) efforts to desperately will himself back through time from 1980 to 1912 via self-hypnosis.    

REVIEW:

Its melancholy is an ideal mirror narrating Richard Collier’s increasing frustrations until his peculiar time-traveling method finally succeeds.  As a suspenseful storytelling mechanism, John Barry’s symphonic work is stellar. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                            8½ Stars