Category: Individual Tracks (CD’s)

CHILDREN – ORIGINAL VERSION (by Robert Miles: Dreamland)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 19, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 6:19 Min.

For his 1996 dance-electronica album, Dreamland, composer-musician Robert Cocina (aka Robert Miles) performs this instrumental (Track # 10) in an expansion of its radio form. The track’s intro combines electronica with what faintly sounds like chirping seagulls.

Notes: The four-minute radio version of “Children” appears on the compilation album, Ultimate Dance Party 1997, Volume 1. Yet, the closest approximation on Dreamland to the radio version is Track # 1’s expanded ‘dream’ variant (running time of 7:04).

REVIEW:

Building up slower to a consistent beat, this interpretation of “Children” has a completely different tone. By the album’s high-energy standards, it’s actually one of Dreamland’s few subdued tunes. The melody is fine … but, with a six-plus minute running time, this track may grow tiresome. Specifically, Miles just repeats the same beats over and over, with occasional sound effects thrown in for good measure. Though it’s longer, Track # 1’s ‘dream’ variant, which is straight-up electronica/dance, is a far better bet for an adrenaline-pumping workout playlist. The unimaginative “Children (Original Version)” could be used for aerobic workouts, too, but it’s probably best-utilized for a winding-down stretch.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars

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

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

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.

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

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW {Cover} (by Kimberley Locke: One Love)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 18, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:31 Min.

As the finale of her 2003 One Love album, American Idol alum Kimberley Locke covers this pop standard dating back to Judy Garland in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz.

REVIEW:

Re-imagined with a contemporary R&B beat, the magic of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” works for Kimberley Locke. Supported by a spot-on choir, the underrated Locke sounds terrific. Though it isn’t surprising this track is reminiscent of an American Idol semi-finals/finals-style performance, Locke still imbues this overdone standard with a classy update. It’s well worth considering as a download option for jazzy R&B playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

BOOK OF DAYS (by Enya: Shepherd Moons)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:56 Min.

It is Enya’s seventh track off her 1992 Shepherd Moons album. The song appears as the primary theme for Ron Howard’s Far & Away historical romance (starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman) released that same year.

REVIEW:

It’s vintage Enya. Bolstered by a compelling melody, Enya’s poignant vocals prove ideal for an epic journey. Clearly, Ron Howard’s production team made an insightful decision choosing “Book of Days” as Far & Away’s timeless and mood-setting theme. Either as a single download, or as a centerpiece for Shepherd Moons, this track is highly recommended.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

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

CHARLIE’S ANGELS 2000 (by Apollo Four Forty: Charlie’s Angels movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 15, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:57 Min.

Courtesy of Apollo Four Forty, this energized disco remix of composer Jack Elliott’s original TV theme appears on the 2000 Charlie’s Angels movie soundtrack.

REVIEW:

Serving as a closing credits theme, Apollo Four Forty’s hip reboot is music’s equivalent of an adrenaline rush. In that sense, hearing Jack Elliott’s familiar TV instrumental getting some fresh life is cool. The problem is that this remix’s obnoxious high-pitch instrumentals may rapidly grate on one’s ears. Hence, due to sheer repetition, its four-minute running time drones on far longer than it really should. Still, “Charlie’s Angels 2000” is ideally suited for workout playlists — and possibly long road trips.

BRIAN’S 10-STAR RATING: 6 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

BRAZIL {Cover: 1985 film} (by Kate Bush & The Seattle Symphony Orchestra: Michael Kamen’s Opus)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 15, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:02 Min.

Composer-conductor Michael Kamen devised the symphonic title theme for 1985’s Brazil film. British performer Kate Bush supplies the timeless cabaret-style vocals. The Seattle Symphony Orchestra performed the track as the finale of the 1998 Michael Kamen’s Opus retrospective album.

REVIEW:

Through Kate Bush’s sultry vocals and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra’s instrumental work, the inspired result is a lush, almost dreamy sound. In the right mood, one can imagine hearing this kind of classy tune inhabiting a glamorous nightclub about eighty or ninety years ago. Yet, the track’s short running time makes it a less-likely option as a single download. “Brazil,” despite its unique assets, makes more sense for purchase as part of either Michael Kamen’s Opus or Kamen’s rare Brazil soundtrack.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars