Category: Soundtracks (CD’s)

SUMMARY:                           RUNNING TIME: 5:15 Min.

From the soundtrack of 1989’s Licence to Kill starring Timothy Dalton this James Bond tune was recorded by Gladys Knight.  This song has since been re-released on some compilation albums, primarily multiple updates of the Best of Bond … James Bond  (which includes the franchise’s theme songs to date).   

Note: Best of Bond .. James Bond includes a 40^th anniversary edition in 2002 and a subsequent update in 2008 for Chris Cornell’s “You Know My Name” from Daniel Craig’s Casino Royale.

REVIEW:

While Gladys Knight’s classy vocals and a grandiose R&B melody are assets, the Bond tradition of making the movie title part of the opening song’s lyrics is problematic.  Earning her paycheck, Knight does her best with the surrounding lyrics.  What Knight can’t overcome is the recurrence of the phrase, ‘Licence to Kill,’ – heard once would have been fine, but far too times makes this reference, at best, awkward.  It’s easy to infer a woman playing for keeps in a love affair, but describing her intense jealousy as a ‘licence to kill’ is hardly a welcome metaphor.  That isn’t by any means Knight’s fault, but her songwriting committee should have reconsidered the lyrics’ unsettling ramifications. 

Ironically, as heard over the film’s closing credits, Patti LaBelle’s gentle “If You Asked Me To,” proves a far superior R&B love song to this main title theme.  At most, ,“Licence to Kill” is a weak precursor to Tina Turner’s sultry 1995 “Goldeneye” title song.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    4½ Stars

SUMMARY:                                    RUNNING TIME: 4:12 Min.

American singer Shelby Lynne recorded and co-wrote this soft rock/pop tune for 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary movie soundtrack.

REVIEW:

Shelby Lynne’s willowy vocals are initially so faint that listeners will need to turn up the volume control – it’s a trait reminiscent of Natalie Merchant.  Still, “Dreamsome” is a nicely-delivered love song ideal for contemporary romantic comedies, like Bridget Jones’s Diary.  It’s something of a shame that Lynne’s low-key tune is frankly buried behind a number of higher-profile names on the soundtrack.  While this track isn’t memorable, it’s still a classy, middle-of-the-pack effort. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         6½ Stars

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SUMMARY:                                RUNNING TIME: 3:35 Min.

This ‘lost’ Survivor ballad was recorded for 1985’s Rocky IV soundtrack, but director Sylvester Stallone deleted it from the film’s final cut.  Included as a bonus for the soundtrack’s 2006 re-release, it is the concluding Track # 11.  According to Survivor’s liner notes for the re-release, “Man Against The World” was supposedly a Stallone favorite. 

REVIEW:

Clearly, “Man Against the World” wasn’t included in the soundtrack’s initial release for a reason. Even so, this ballad’s best asset is its elegant, piano/keyboard-driven melody reminiscent of Air Supply.  Yet, “Man Against The World” doesn’t mesh with Rocky IV’s energetic machismo whatsoever.  More specifically, Survivor’s overly sappy lyrics zoom don’t conjure up the intended poignancy.  If a schmaltz-meter was a carnival strength test with a mallet, unfortunately, this tune would be ringing the bell. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 3½ Stars

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SUMMARY:                                RUNNING TIME: 3:00 Min.

From the same-titled 1980 comedy film she co-starred in, Dolly Parton also wrote this song.  Simulating a secretary’s typewriting, it is Parton’s own tapping fingernails as the opening sound effect.  Aside from the movie soundtrack, this tune has appeared on numerous Parton greatest-hits and/or best-of albums, including 2007’s 16 Greatest Hits.

REVIEW:

It’s still the ultimate workplace theme song.  Beyond its upbeat melody, Parton’s female empowerment lyrics are a timeless gem.  More than taking a stand against workplace sexism and male chauvinists, the spot-on lyrics are frankly relatable to anyone in any profession, where you aren’t the boss.  Defining the modern daily grind, the catchy “9 to 5” is well worth adding to any number of playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     9 Stars

Note: As a download double-feature, Johnny Paycheck’s “Take This Job and Shove It” adds to the fun.

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SUMMARY:                      RUNNING TIME: 3:59 Min.

For the 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Cher duets with co-star Andy Garcia on this cover of the classic ABBA hit.

REVIEW:

There’s no mistaking that it’s Cher.  Though it doesn’t surpass her original hits, like 1989’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” this effort is still relatively good. Bolstered by stellar instrumentals, her flamboyant rendition of “Fernando” delivers some pleasant ear candy.  The problem is qualifying this song as an actual duet. At most, Andy Garcia’s minor contribution is that of a back-up singer, as Cher’s performance drowns him out (intentionally or not). While this cover isn’t even a remote threat to ABBA’s original, it is worth hearing on occasion.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                5½ Stars