Category: Individual Tracks (CD’s)

SUMMARY:                    RUNNING TIME: 3:11 Min.

From 1980’s Fame film soundtrack, Irene Cara performs this ballad written by Michael Gore & Lesley Gore.  Onscreen, Cara’s insecure Coco Hernandez performs the song while privately practicing on a school piano.  This track subsequently scored a 1981 Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song – though Cara’s title song won the award.

REVIEW:

In addition to her show-stopping title song, Irene Cara proves equally adept rendering this poignant ballad.  Despite its schmaltzy lyrics, the tune’s low-key melody is an ideal accompaniment to Cara’s spot-on vocals. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     7 Stars

SUMMARY:                        RUNNING TIME: 4:59 Min.

From 1980’s Fame film soundtrack, the ensemble cast (vocally represented by Traci Parnell, Irene Cara, Laura Dean, Paul McCrane, and Eric Brockington) performs the tune. Specifically, it narrates the graduation sequence closing out the film.  

REVIEW:

It’s certainly an intriguing contrast to the album’s solo tracks.  What handicaps this tune’s dynamic melody are the peculiar lyrics making an universal allegory about maturing into adulthood hard to follow.  Intended as a show-stopper, “I Sing the Body Electric” benefits from a combination of well-played rock/orchestra instrumentals and endearing vocals. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   6½ Stars

SUMMARY:                         RUNNING TIME: 4:10 Min.

From 1980’s Fame film soundtrack, Irene Cara performs this tune written by Michael Gore, Lesley Gore, & Robert F. Colesberry.  The song is performed onscreen as an impromptu lunchtime jam session by students in the High School of Performing Arts’ cafeteria.

REVIEW:

Given the cafeteria-inspired lyrics, Irene Cara’s charismatic vocals somehow transform “Hot Lunch Jam” into a relatively catchy tune.  In part, its up-tempo rock melody syncs well with Cara’s performance.  Though it is the least memorable of Cara’s three solo tracks, this song retains an innocent charm.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        6 Stars

SUMMARY:                        RUNNING TIME: 4:18 Min.

From the 1986 London cast, Sarah Brightman (as Christine Daae) and Michael Crawford (as the cackling Phantom) duet the title song from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera.  This full-length track is a sampler off the 1996 compilation album: The Very Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection.  In addition as a single digital purchase, the track appears on the complete Phantom double-disc soundtrack (2001), as well as the soundtrack’s single-disc Highlights edition (1990). 

Alternatively, Crawford includes the duet on both 2005’s Michael Crawford Performs Andrew Lloyd Webber and his two-disc Ultimate Collection (from 2013).  Similarly, Brightman opens her 1999 Ultimate Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection with this song.   

Note: From Phantom, Crawford’s “Music of the Night” also appears on this same Very Best compilation album.  

REVIEW:

Propelled by an ominously up-tempo, pop-rock melody, Lloyd Webber’s original Christine and Phantom conduct a master class re: how to bring a Broadway tune to life.  Not only are Brightman’s vocals in peak form, but Crawford’s Phantom conveys his character’s spine-tingling presence in such a way that creepy visuals aren’t even necessary.  In that sense, this duo’s teamwork makes it feel plausible that Brightman’s Christine has now become mesmerized by Crawford’s wicked Phantom.

Though others have aspired to match it and some have come very close (i.e. the 2004 film version’s Emmy Rossum, in spite of an outmatched Gerard Butler), Brightman & Crawford’s rendition exudes timeless audible magic.  Highly recommended!   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      10 Stars

SUMMARY:                                  RUNNING TIME: 4:10 Min.

From 1980’s Somewhere in Time film soundtrack, composer-conductor John Barry delivers this instrumental tune (Track # 8).  “Return to the Present” depicts playwright Richard Collier’s (Christopher Reeve) romantic journey back in time coming to an unexpected end.    

REVIEW:

Reprising the main theme’s romanticism once more, John Barry’s symphonic work succeeds in gently shifting the film’s storyline towards its pivotal last stretch.  Poignantly well-played! 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                               8 Stars

SUMMARY:                                RUNNING TIME: 4:29 Min.

From 1980’s Somewhere in Time film soundtrack, composer-conductor John Barry delivers this instrumental tune (Track # 3).  “The Journey Back in Time” depicts obsessed playwright Richard Collier’s (Christopher Reeve) efforts to desperately will himself back through time from 1980 to 1912 via self-hypnosis.    

REVIEW:

Its melancholy is an ideal mirror narrating Richard Collier’s increasing frustrations until his peculiar time-traveling method finally succeeds.  As a suspenseful storytelling mechanism, John Barry’s symphonic work is stellar. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                            8½ Stars

SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 2:50 Min.

From 1980’s Somewhere in Time film soundtrack, composer-conductor John Barry delivers this instrumental tune (Track # 2).  The track occurs early in the movie, as student playwright Richard Collier’s (Christopher Reeve) encounters an elderly recluse (Susan French) in a seemingly random manner.  Yet, she gifts him a vintage pocket watch for some enigmatic reason.  Eight years later, this tantalizing mystery awakens a romantic obsession in Collier.

REVIEW:

Consistently reiterating elements from his poignant main title theme, John Barry’s symphonic work here is exquisite.  Definitely recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   8½ Stars

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 3:14 Min.

From 1980’s Somewhere in Time film soundtrack, composer-conductor John Barry delivers this instrumental tune (Track # 6).  “Is He the One?” depicts actress Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour) contemplating whether or not her romantic destiny lies with mysterious newcomer Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve), who has crossed space and time to be with her.    

REVIEW:

Reprising elements from the main theme once more, John Barry’s symphonic work continues to express its poignant magic.  Though this tune isn’t distinctive, it blends seamlessly into the soundtrack’s romantic storytelling.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       8 Stars