Category: Soundtracks (CD’s)

SUMMARY:                                  RUNNING TIME: 4:24 Min.

Recorded by Queen as a background tune in the 1986 Highlander film, this upbeat pop-rock track later made its CD debut in 1991 upon A Kind of Magic’s re-release. 

REVIEW:

Beyond its catchy melody, the song’s real magic belongs to Freddie Mercury.  The boyish exuberance in his vocals brings “A Kind of Magic” to life with plenty of style.  Cleverly playing off a line of dialogue from Christopher Lambert’s Connor MacLeod, this tune is ideal for ‘80s pop-rock and soundtrack playlists.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  8 Stars

Note: There’s a digitally-remastered rendition of this song on Queen’s 2002 Platinum Collection.

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 4:37 Min.

Recorded by Queen for the 1986 Highlander film, this upbeat rock track later made its CD debut in 1991 upon A Kind of Magic’s re-release.  Joan Armatrading makes a vocal cameo. 

REVIEW:

Considering its dark humor re: Highlander’s premise, this up-tempo track is actually pretty catchy.  Another asset is that it stands out more than some of the album’s filler efforts: “Friends Will Be Friends” and “Pain is So Close to Pleasure.”  In that context, “Don’t Lose Your Head” has potential as a solo download.  Since there aren’t any movie dialogue clips included, it could readily pass as a regular Queen song of the mid-80’s.          

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  7 Stars

SUMMARY:                                RUNNING TIME: 3:26 Min.

Released on the follow-up installment for the Mike Myers-headlined 1998 54 film soundtrack, this disco track is a collaborative effort from international songstresses Jocelyn Enriquez, Amber, & Ultra Naté — dubbed “Stars on 54.”  However, don’t mistake this tune as a cover of Margot Kidder’s same-named track from 1978’s Superman: The Movie. No, this frequently-covered tune was first recorded as a folk song by Gordon Lightfoot in 1970.  Curiously, this track is approximately twenty-three seconds shorter than the somber Lightfoot version. 

REVIEW:

Somewhat reminiscent of Selena’s likable mid-90’s cover medleys, the Enriquez-Amber-Naté trio re-imagines Lightfoot’s ruminating melody with a dazzling R&B/disco beat.  Despite spot-on vocal harmony, the trio’s energetic performance is an odd contrast to the song’s enigmatic lyrics.  While the narrative of a romantic break-up remains, Lightfoot’s gloomy metaphors make too little sense, at least when dressed up as this glitzy dance tune. 

Even so, this catchy 70’s retro-style track is worth adding to any workout playlist. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       7 Stars

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SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 3:59 Min.

In 1989, Patti LaBelle simultaneously recorded this track for her album, Be Yourself, and the soundtrack to Timothy Dalton’s last James Bond film, Licence to Kill.  In 2007, this song resurfaced on 20th Century Masters – The Best of Patti LaBelle: The Millennium Collection album.

Note: Among the song’s subsequent cover renditions is Celine Dion’s 1992 version for her self-named English-language album.

REVIEW:

As heard over the end credits to Licence to Kill, Patti LaBelle’s exuberant rendition remains an underrated gem.  Her voice is aptly paired with a gorgeous R&B melody.  Comparatively, Celine Dion’s high-profile cover is terrific as is, but LaBelle’s glowing original remains the best.        

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   9 Stars

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