Category: Soundtracks (CD’s)

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 5:26 Min.

Performed by John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band, this upbeat R&B tune helps narrate an early ‘60s flashback sequence in the 1989 film, Eddie & The Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!  While actor Michael Paré is the on-screen ‘Eddie Wilson,’ Cafferty provides the fictional Eddie’s singing voice.   

REVIEW:

In a homage to exuberant R&B, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band demonstrate terrific versatility by incorporating their own contemporary rock spin.  For instance, the upbeat saxophone work from Michael ‘Tunes’ Antunes (aka the fictional ‘Wendell Newton’ from Eddie’s band) is dazzling.  For this change-of-pace tune, Cafferty reliably delivers his vocals in conjunction with classy R&B support by the female back-up singers. 

In terms of overall originality, “Emotional Storm” is arguably the soundtrack’s best individual option.  Even one isn’t an Eddie & The Cruisers fan, this song certainly merits a chance for re-discovery.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                8 Stars

SUMMARY:                                          RUNNING TIME: 4:03 Min.

This tune recorded by Queen is among the background songs heard during the 1986 Highlander film. “Friends Will Be Friends” appears on both A Kind of Magic’s original 1986 release and its 1991 re-issuing.

REVIEW:

It’s another solid Queen hit from the Highlander film, even if it isn’t remarkable.  Smartly, it’s utilized in the background in one scene vs. a more high-profile placement in the movie.  If anything, Freddie Mercury’s endearing vocals still make this tune worth four minutes of your time.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   6½ Stars

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

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 4:46 Min.

Initially released as the theme song for 1988’s License to Drive film starring Corey Haim & Corey Feldman, it has resurfaced as one of Billy Ocean’s greatest hits/best-of tunes.  As a familiar Late-80’s radio hit, the song appears on the Billboard Top Hits: 1988 album.  Of note is that Ocean and fellow hit-maker Robert John “Mutt” Lange co-wrote the song.     

REVIEW:

Much like he did a few years earlier with the catchy “When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going,” Ocean strikes again with more up-tempo soundtrack magic.  Though the lyrics treat women as glorified eye candy, this exuberant pop tune still thrives by surfing off Ocean’s charisma and flawless background instrumentals.  For soundtrack and road trip playlists, this engaging tune earns its consideration as a potential download.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      7 Stars

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SUMMARY:                                      RUNNING TIME: 4:32 Min.

Recorded by Queen as a background song for the 1986 Highlander film, this ominous rock track later made its CD debut in 1991 upon A Kind of Magic’s re-release.  Notably, this song is heavy on dialogue clips taken from the movie.  The song’s intro has a female journalist reporting the discovery of a decapitated man’s corpse – after which, actor Clancy Brown’s Kurgan chillingly snickers, “I know his name.” Brown’s Kurgan, amidst the movie’s sword-fighting sound effects, later adds a few extra dialogue clips. 

Besides a brief cameo by actress Roxanne Hart’s Brenda Wyatt, Christopher Lambert’s Connor MacLeod gets a final say amidst the film’s climatic Quickening sound effects.    

REVIEW:

Relying upon the formula Queen previously used for its 1980 Flash Gordon movie soundtrack, at a minimum, this inspired track is unique.  Interspersing dialogue clips and sound effects, “Gimme the Prize” delivers a definitive Kurgan experience for Highlander fans.  For what it is — defining Kurgan’s goth punk villainy, the creative combination of the rock melody, Freddie Mercury’s spot-on vocals, and, most certainly, Clancy Brown’s surly presence — this track is, at a minimum, unique.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7 Stars

SUMMARY:                                    RUNNING TIME: 4:32 Min.

Recorded for the 1983 Eddie and the Cruisers film soundtrack, John Cafferty (as Eddie Wilson’s singing voice) and the Beaver Brown Band (as the fictional Cruisers) perform this ballad.

REVIEW:

It’s not the film’s best ballad (that would be “Tender Years”), but “Boardwalk Angel” delivers an old school sense of romantic poignancy that is hard to capture.  The saxophone work of Michael “Tunes” Antunes adds an extra element of depth that helps makes this song a quiet gem.  For ‘60s-style soft rock enthusiasts, this track is worth adding to a favorite playlist.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      8 Stars

Note: From 1989’s Eddie and the Cruisers II soundtrack album, “NYC Song” is very similar.  It might even be construed as a ‘sequel’ to “Boardwalk Angel.” 

SUMMARY:                                     RUNNING TIME: 3:25 Min.

This Nick Drake song appears as Track # 5 on 1998’s Practical Magic movie soundtrack.  Drake also composed the song.

REVIEW:

This wistful folk rock tune makes good use of Nick Drake’s low-key vocals alongside a gentle melody.  There’s no disputing that “Black Eyed Dog” has a curious poignancy, but it’s frankly not remarkable enough to justify a download.  However, as part of the Practical Magic album, this track is certainly worth hearing every once in a while.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                          6 Stars

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