Category: Soundtracks (CD’s)

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

DYIN’ AIN’T MUCH OF A LIVIN’ {Young Guns II} (by Jon Bon Jovi: Blaze of Glory)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 19, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:39 Min.

‘Inspired’ by Young Guns II, this mid-tempo ballad is Track # 10 on Jon Bon Jovi’s 1990 Blaze of Glory album.

Note: If purchasing as a solo download, please beware it might not include the intro – it’s a tense dialogue clip of Kiefer Sutherland’s ‘Doc Scurlock.’ Otherwise, this clip comes at the end of Track # 9: “Bang a Drum.”

REVIEW:

Balanced by a spot-on melody, this ballad poignantly contemplates a tired gunslinger’s regrets, both past and present. Like “Miracle,” off this same album, its contemporary subject matter extends beyond Young Guns II. Still, “Miracle” is faintly optimistic, unlike the bleak self-loathing permeating “Dyin’ Ain’t Much of a Livin,’” Though this tune just as easily could fit aboard a present-day Bon Jovi album, it’s really more a second-tier option, in terms of download options.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

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IT’S RAINING MEN {Cover} (by Geri Halliwell: Bridget Jones’s Diary movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 18, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:14 Min.

Covering The Weather Girls’ 1982 disco hit, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell performed this tune for 2001’s Bridget Jones’ s Diary movie soundtrack.

REVIEW:

While The Weather Girls’ vibrant original version is bright and sunny – Geri Halliwell, though faithful to the song’s melody, opts for something closer to scorching. Her performance impressively kicks this exuberant dance song up a few notches. Whether it’s for workouts or dance playlists, this guilty pleasure song is simply dynamite.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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

HAVE YOU MET MISS JONES? {Cover} (by Robbie Williams: Bridget Jones’s Diary movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 18, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:33 Min.

The original Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart relic dates clear back to 1937. British performer Robbie Williams covers this romantic show tune for 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary movie soundtrack.

REVIEW:

Going into full-on, old-school Sinatra mode, Robbie Williams delivers a swing jazz-pop show-stopper. With ideal big band support, Williams transforms this song into an exuberant gem.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Note: Williams goes two-for-two with the wonderful “Not of This Earth” (which he co-wrote) for the same soundtrack.

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ONE OF US {Cover} (by Amanda Seyfried & Dominic Cooper: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 18, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:45 Min.

For the 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Amanda Seyfried duets with co-star Dominic Cooper on this cover of the vintage ABBA hit.

REVIEW:

Benefiting from a sparkling melody, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper demonstrate great vocal chemistry on this tune. To some degree, this track is unfairly overshadowed by other tunes off the same album. As heard on “One of Us,” there’s no question that Amanda Seyfried’s voice sounds just as stellar as co-star Lily James. To Dominic Cooper’s credit, he holds his own with Seyfried. This underrated duet is definitely worth consideration as a download.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Note: This tune benefits from a better pop melody than Seyfried & Cooper’s “Lay All Your Love on Me” duet on 2008’s Mamma Mia! soundtrack.

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

MIAMI VICE {Volume 1} [TV Soundtrack]

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 37 Min.

Released by MCA Records in 1985, this eleven-track album has the following songs

The Original Miami Vice Theme Jan Hammer (1:00)

2. Smuggler’s Blues Glenn Frey (3:48)

3. Own The Night Chaka Khan (4:49)

4. You Belong to the City Glenn Frey (5:49)

5. In the Air Tonight Phil Collins (5:27)

6. Miami Vice (Extended Theme) Jan Hammer (2:26)

7. Vice Grandmaster Melle Mel (4:59)

8. Better Be Good to Me Tina Turner (5:08)

9. Flashback (Instrumental) Jan Hammer (3:20)

10. Chase (Instrumental) Jan Hammer (2:38)

11. Evan (Instrumental) Jan Hammer (3:06)

Note: MCA Records released Miami Vice II (a sequel soundtrack) in 1987.

REVIEW:

Considering nearly half the album is Jan Hammer’s synthesizer magic, this first season soundtrack is terrific. Hammer’s last three tracks were often recycled during the series; of them, the haunting Evan still retains its dramatic punch. Five of the remaining six tunes serve as an early Miami Vice highlight reel, as Glenn Fry’s two songs and Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight are virtually synonymous with the series. Solo tracks from Tina Turner and Chaka Khan also made well-known appearances in the first season.

Only one track doesn’t age well: Track 7’s Vice rap song, which rapidly overstays its welcome. Even so, this somewhat abbreviated album is an energetic time machine for nostalgic fans of the 1984-89 NBC TV series. The one downside is that some extra songs would have been appreciated.

PACKAGING:

The tracks, artists, and running times are included on the disc. The packaging, otherwise, is standard-issue for the era.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

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ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES [Movie Soundtrack]

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 60 Min.

Released by Morgan Creek Music Group in 1991, this ten-track album consists of:

Overture and a Prisoner of the Crusades (From Chains to Freedom) Michael Kamen (8:27)

2. Sir Guy of Gisborne /The Escape to Sherwood Michael Kamen (7:27)

3. Little John and the Band in the Forest Michael Kamen (4:52)

4. The Sheriff and the Witch Michael Kamen (6:03)

5. Maid Marian Michael Kamen (2:57)

6. Training – Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves Michael Kamen (5:15)

7. Marian at the Waterfall Michael Kamen (5:34)

8. The Abduction /Final Battle at the Gallows Michael Kamen (9:53)

9. (Everything I Do), I Do It For You Bryan Adams (6:38)

10. Wild Times Jeff Lynne (3:12)

Note: For this album, Kamen conducts the Greater Los Angeles Orchestra.

REVIEW:

The extended version of Bryan Adams’ hit song is unquestionably the highlight. Yet, the emotional complexity of conductor Michael Kamen’s orchestral score secures this soundtrack as a true winner. Beyond all its boisterous action crescendos, romantic serenity, and rustic interludes, Kamen complements the film’s plot by appealing to listeners’ sentiments for any given sequence. His work makes it refreshingly easy to visualize the movie’s twists based on just the music cues alone.

The dark Sheriff and the Witch is likely the hardest to identify, but its ominous undertones give Alan Rickman’s conniving Sheriff of Nottingham and Geraldine McEwan‘s witch their sinister due. Likewise, Maid Marian and especially Marian at the Waterfall imbue Marian & Robin’s developing love story with an elegantly serene contrast to the eerie Track 4.

The sole weak inclusion is Jeff Lynne’s forgettable Wild Times, which does little more than complete the film’s playlist. Even so, the other nine tracks are a first-class instrumental narrative for the film.

PACKAGING:

The album’s tracks are listed on the CD case’s back cover, but their running times aren’t included. The classy double-sided, twelve-panel insert includes a brief introduction by screenwriters-producers Pen Densham & John Watson; primary cast photos; some film stills; technical credits; and obligatory album thank-you’s. The CD case itself is sturdy and well-protects the disc.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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A CLOSE CALL {1985’s North and South} (by Bill Conti & The London Symphony Orchestra: Highlights from The Right Stuff/North and South soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:01 Min.

In 1985, composer/conductor Bill Conti and The London Symphony Orchestra released an instrumental album consisting of highlights from 1983’s The Right Stuff and 1985’s North and South TV mini-series. This suspenseful piece recurs throughout the North and South saga.

Note: As of 2008, a limited-edition CD set of Conti highlights from North and South Books One & Two was released.

REVIEW:

Familiar to North and South fans, this short track plays up some of the epic’s possibly confrontational cues. As brief as it really is, “A Close Call” is a solid enough instrumental from composer-conductor Bill Conti. It just makes one want to hear more of the North and South score.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars

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

BLAZE OF GLORY- YOUNG GUNS II [Movie Soundtrack]

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 48 Min.

Released by PolyGram Records in 1990, this Jon Bon Jovi showcase ‘inspired’ by the film Young Guns II includes two songs featured in its closing credits; an instrumental; and eight other tunes reflecting the film’s thematic content. Other than Alan Silvestri’s instrumental “Guano City,” the song lyrics and music are composed by Jon Bon Jovi.

Track 1: “Billy Get Your Guns” (from the film’s closing credits). Running Time: 4:48. Notes: A sample of Billy the Kid’s film dialogue by Emilio Estevez is its intro. Among its guest musicians are Randy Jackson; Aldo Nova; Elton John (on piano); and Jeff Beck.

Track 2: “Miracle.” Running Time: 5:08. Notes: Guest musicians include Randy Jackson; Aldo Nova; and Jeff Beck; as well as back-up vocalists Myrna Matthews; Julia Waters; and Maxine Waters.

Track 3: “Blaze of Glory” (from the film’s closing credits). Running Time: 5:44. Note: A tense dialogue clip between Kiefer Sutherland’s ‘Doc’ Scurlock and Emilio Estevez’s Billy is the intro.

Track 4: “Blood Money (Hey, Patty Garrett).” Running Time: 2:34.

Track 5: “Santa Fe.” Running Time: 5:40.

Notes: Silvestri contributes to its string arrangement.

Track 6: “Justice in the Barrel.” Running Time: 6:49. Note: The back-up vocalists include actor Lou Diamond Phillips; Julia Waters; Maxine Waters, and Myrna Matthews.

Track 7: “Never Say Die.” Running Time: 4:53.

Track 8: “You Really Got Me Now.” Running Time: 2:23. ote: Little Richard is on piano and back-up vocals.

Track 9: “Bang a Drum.” Running Time: 4:36. Note: The back-up vocalists are Maxine Waters; Myrna Matthews; and Julia Waters.

Track 10: “Dyin’ Ain’t Much of a Livin.’” Running Time: 4:39. Notes: Elton John is on piano and adds extra vocals. Myrna Matthews, Maxine Waters, and Julia Waters provide further back-up vocals.

Track 11: “Guano City” (from the film). Running Time: 1:00. Note: Silvestri is its composer-conductor.

REVIEW:

Instead of a vanity solo project, Blaze of Glory confirms Jon Bon Jovi’s multi-talented arsenal. The album’s appeal smartly mixes rock tunes (i.e. “Billy Get Your Guns;” “Justice in the Barrel;” and, of course, “Blaze of Glory”) with poignant ballads (“Miracle;” “Santa Fe;” and “Blood Money”). Track 10 is a fourth ballad, “Dyin’ Ain’t Much of a Livin’” that insightfully echoes the fallout from the gang’s climatic shootout with Pat Garrett’s posse. The other tunes blend in fairly well, as “Never Say Die,” for instance, fits the film’s shoot-and-run antics. Only Track 8’s “You Really Got Me Now” is an instance of rollicking barroom filler.

Though hearing more of Silvestri’s instrumental score would have been appreciated, “Guano City” is still a minute’s worth of action-packed suspense. Despite Blaze of Glory being only a partial soundtrack (more of Silvestri’s work would have been appreciated), Jon Bon Jovi capably delivers plenty of entertainment.

Note: This album helped spawn a dubious Hollywood trend (i.e. 1995’s Batman Forever) where much of a movie soundtrack was merely ‘inspired’ by the film.

PACKAGING:

The tracks and their running times appear on the disc and the case’s back cover. The fold-out insert is a mini-poster of Jon Bon Jovi on one side. The flip side consists of: song lyrics; musician credits; technical credits; and thank-you notes.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars