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

BANG A DRUM {Young Guns II} (by Jon Bon Jovi: Blaze of Glory)

SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 4:44 Min.

This mid-tempo song is among the ‘inspired-by’ tracks appears as Track # 9 off Jon Bon Jovi’s 1990 Blaze of Glory soundtrack for the Young Guns II movie.   

Note: If purchased as a download, this song may end with a Kiefer Sutherland (as ‘Doc’ Scurlock) dialogue clip meant as the intro for Track # 10: “Dyin’ Ain’t Much of a Livin’.”  

REVIEW:

Melding rock, R&B, and gospel, “Bang a Drum” adds some welcome variety to Blaze of Glory. Compared to the flashiness of the title track (and a few of the album’s ballads), this tune tends to get lost in the shuffle, as far as which tracks stand out most. Yet, the contemporary sound of “Bang a Drum” presents this album’s most underrated effort, no matter if it’s meant as classy filler. This song is worth checking out.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:            7 Stars

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

BLAZE OF GLORY {Young Guns II} (by Jon Bon Jovi: Blaze of Glory)

SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 5:35 MIN.

Sung from Billy the Kid’s point-of-view, it’s the title song for Jon Bon Jovi’s soundtrack for the 1990 Young Guns II film.  The song is heard over the movie’s closing credits. In addition to a music video released in late Summer 1990, the song later appeared on Bon Jovi’s 1994 best-of Cross Road album.

Note: A download might not include the song’s album intro, which consists of a tense audio clip dialogue exchange between Kiefer Sutherland’s ‘Doc Scurlock’ and Emilio Estevez’s ‘Billy the Kid.’ The intro may instead turn up in the closing seconds of the previous track: “Miracle.”   

REVIEW:

It’s an instance where the title song really is an album’s masterpiece.  This tune’s magic endures, as every necessary creative element (i.e. dynamite lyrics, a catchy melody, the guitar work, and Jon Bon Jovi’s vintage vocals) hits the target. If anything, “Blaze of Glory” is Young Guns II’s legacy, as this track easily holds up thirty years later. Bon Jovi’s rock hit immortalizing Billy the Kid could fit into any number of potential playlists, including workouts. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                9 Stars

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

BLOOD MONEY {Young Guns II} (by Jon Bon Jovi: Blaze of Glory)

SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 2:34 MIN.

This poetic ballad is among the ‘inspired-by’ tracks appearing on Jon Bon Jovi’s 1990 Blaze of Glory soundtrack for the Young Guns II movie. 

REVIEW:

It’s a shame that the track doesn’t actually appear in the film, as “Blood Money” offers classy depth re: the crumbling friendship between Emilio Estevez’s ‘Billy the Kid’ and William L. Petersen’s ‘Pat Garrett.’  As a welcome contrast to the album’s flashier rock songs, this underrated tune is well-played by Jon Bon Jovi.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               7½ Stars

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

YOU REALLY GOT ME NOW {Young Guns II} (by Jon Bon Jovi: Blaze of Glory)

SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 2:24 MIN.

This up-tempo barroom-style ditty is among several ‘inspired-by’ tracks appearing on Jon Bon Jovi’s 1990 Blaze of Glory soundtrack for the Young Guns II movie.    

REVIEW:

All too short and easily forgettable, this dance hall track is merely album filler.  Though the song has a fun contemporary vibe, listeners won’t be missing much if they skip “You Really Got Me Now.”   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  4 Stars

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

BEFORE (by Kimberley Locke: One Love)

SUMMARY:                                  RUNNING TIME: 3:54 MIN.

American Idol alum Kimberley Locke sings this wistful pop/R&B ballad for her 2003 debut album, One Love.  

REVIEW:

Most impressive!  Soaring at the right moments, Kimberley Locke’s down-to-earth vocals are spot-on throughout this track.  “Before” makes a convincing argument as Locke’s best effort on One Love.  The song is also proof positive that she can readily compete in the same vocal league as Ciara and Beyoncé Knowles, among others.  Beyond offering an ideal addition to any contemporary pop/R&B playlists, “Before” is a prime reason why Locke’s classy album deserves re-discovery.  Frankly, it’s an underrated gem.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  9 Stars

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

I WANT A NEW DUCK (by “Weird Al” Yankovic: Dare to Be Stupid)

SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 3:03 Min.

The song is an obvious spoof of the 1983 radio hit, “I Want a New Drug,” by Huey Lewis & The News.  It’s the third track off “Weird Al” Yankovic’s 1985 comedy album, Dare to be Stupid.    

REVIEW:

Closely replicating the original song’s melody, this wacky yet pointless tune is simply a good-natured parody.  Suffice to say, hearing it once is mildly amusing. The upside is that it’s clean for kiddie fans. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                            4 Stars

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

BILLY, GET YOUR GUNS {Young Guns II} (by Jon Bon Jovi: Blaze of Glory)

SUMMARY:                    RUNNING TIME: 4:49 Min.

This rousing track appears during the closing credits of the 1990 Young Guns II film.  It’s also the first song off Jon Bon Jovi’s Blaze of Glory soundtrack for the movie.  As an intro, an audio clip of Emilio Estevez’s taunting ‘Billy the Kid’ is included.

REVIEW:

Between its trigger-happy lyrics and a catchy melody, Jon Bon Jovi takes good advantage of the rollicking “Billy, Get Your Gun.”  It’s certainly one of this album’s more memorable efforts.  Aging surprisingly well, this tune could fit into any number of potential playlists, including workouts. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7½ Stars

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

TANGERINE SPEEDO (by Caviar: Charlie’s Angels movie soundtrack – 2000)

SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 3:18 Min.

Leading off with a cha-cha intro, Caviar’s dance-rock tune is the finale of the 2000 Charlie’s Angels movie soundtrack.

REVIEW:

It’s no surprise that this peppy Gen-X tune’s lyrics is loaded with sexual innuendo.  Aside from a zippy title, Caviar’s song at least has the advantage of sounding different.  Experimenting with a Mid-to-Late 90’s-style pop mash-up, the fashionably hip “Tangerine Speedo” delivers some unpredictable curves.  In that sense, this wacky tune is ideal for Nineties-themed events at nightclubs.  For that matter, it’s reminiscent of what one might expect for a Friends TV soundtrack.  “Tangerine Speedo” doesn’t likely age well for today’s generation, but it has some potential for road trips and/or workouts.       

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               6 Stars

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

CROSSING THE RIVER (by The Devlins: Batman Forever movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                           RUNNING TIME: 4:45 Min.

Appearing as Track # 12, the Irish-born Devlins’ “Crossing the River” is from 1995’s Batman Forever soundtrack. 

REVIEW:

Unfairly buried on a paycheck-driven soundtrack is this underrated romantic gem.  With its indie rock-style twist, this wistful love song has every vital component: an appealing melody, articulate lyrics, and The Devlins are in top vocal form.  Short of Seal’s show-stopping “Kiss From a Rose,” this track easily wins second-place among Batman Forever’s fourteen songs (only five of which actually appear in the film).  Highly recommended! 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:             9 Stars

Note: Besides Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose,” another track from this album worth considering is Brandy’s “Where Are You Now?” – much like “Crossing the River,” it’s too easily overlooked.

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

THE HUNTER GETS CAPTURED BY THE GAME (by Massive Attack Featuring Tracey Thorn: Batman Forever movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                         RUNNING TIME: 4:06 Min.

Recorded by Massive Attack with Tracey Thorn, it’s the fifth tune off 1995’s Batman Forever movie soundtrack.

REVIEW:

Despite being lost in the shuffle of Batman Forever’s hodge-podge album, the sultry “The Hunter Gets Captured By the Game” is a slice of musical ‘film noir.’  This R&B/pop hybrid isn’t all that original, but the song’s cool mystique offers a solid download option for various soundtrack and contemporary pop playlists.      

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  6½ Stars