SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: Not Provided
Released by Arista Records in 1983 in LP and cassette formats, this hodge-podge Meco album is mostly inspired by Return of the Jedi. Side A consists of a medley of Jedi’s “Lapti Nek,” Ewok-themed music from Jedi, an exclusive Ewok rap, and more Meco-style instrumentals in a disco homage to Jedi and Star Wars.
Side B further celebrates 1983 with the following: “Nights Are Forever” (from Twilight Zone: The Movie); an extended Simon & Simon TV theme; Flashdance’s “Maniac;” Giorgio Moroder’s rare Superman III love theme; and a Meco-style homage to Matthew Broderick’s War Games film.
REVIEW:
Nearly forty years later, this album remains a hoot! The Star Wars side of this LP revives memories of a time when loyal fans could gleefully enjoy Ewoks as a childish pleasure. In addition to the familiar “Lapti Nek” fresh from Jabba’s palace (whether it’s a cover or not), Meco’s instrumental tunes retain a funky novelty sound. Suffice to say, it’s reliably goofy fun for kids of all ages — i.e. the exclusive “Ewok Rap” is a delight.
Despite its oddball track selection, Side B definitely has its moments. The tricky part, however, is: are these five songs covers or not? First off, female vocals for tracks 1 and 5 are credited to someone referred to as ‘Garbo.’ It’s known that Jennifer Warnes & Jerry Goldsmith collaborated on the official “Nights Are Forever,” so, presumably, Track 1 is a cover. As for Track 5, it’s most likely a Meco effort — this reviewer doesn’t recall this song even being in the actual movie. Still, the tune’s computerized sound effects are playfully 80’s-cool.
Track 2’s rollicking rock tribute to TV’s Simon & Simon is terrific. This track isn’t credited, but, yes, a young Kenny G performs its sax solo. His sax work is also heard on Track 3: “Maniac.” Re: this song, it sounds like original vocalist Michael Sembello; yet, the credited singer is ‘Michael Falcon.’ One wonders if it’s a Sembello alias (possibly for copyright purposes), or possibly Arista Records found a sound-alike impersonator.
That leaves Track 4; does anyone even remember a lush, piano-driven Superman III love theme? Whether this tune appeared in the film or not, Giorgio Moroder’s ultra-rare instrumental can evidently only be found on the out-of-print Superman III LP. Hence, this track’s performer could well be Meco (or maybe it’s really Moroder) – the musician is left anonymous. What can be ascertained is that Track 4’s initially mellow charm expands into an extravagant, over-the-top epic piano/synthesizer piece … consistent with Moroder’s flamboyance. Even so, this theme seems totally incompatible with what viewers see on screen in Superman III.
In all fairness, Meco Ewok Celebration doesn’t age well for contemporary audiences. However, give credit where it’s due: this obscure album is loaded with good-natured movie nostalgia.
PACKAGING:
The credits (including musicians) are listed on the backside. Yet, some of these credits resemble gibberish — maybe it’s an in-joke?. Case in point: the credited talent allegedly ‘from the CORMAR GALAXY’ makes little, if any, sense.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
