Category: Individual Tracks (CD’s)

BABY, BABY (by Amy Grant: Greatest Hits, 1986-2004)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:56 Min.

“Baby, Baby” first appeared as the lead single from Amy Grant’s successful 1991 pop crossover album, Heart in Motion. Part of a lyric in this song (which Grant also co-wrote) would inspire the album’s title. The song subsequently appears on Grant’s 2004 Greatest Hits: 1986-2004 album.

REVIEW:

This ultra-sunny pop tune won’t likely age well for non-fans. Still, Amy Grant’s delightful vocals outshine some gooey pop lyrics. The bottom line is that her down-to-earth charisma makes “Baby, Baby” work. In terms of “work,” more specifically, this bubble gum track is ideal for playlists geared towards young children, particularly for impromptu dancing.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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

BACK IN BLACK (AC/DC: Back in Black)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:15 MIN.

From AC/DC’s seminal 1980 album, Back in Black, is its title tune, which experienced a resurgence in radio popularity due to its presence on 2010’s Iron Man 2 soundtrack.

REVIEW:

This classic AC/DC effort is frankly timeless, as it can match any power metal effort from any era. “Back in Black” is a definite ‘must-have’ for metal playlists. Like “Shoot to Thrill” from the same album, this tune’s raw energy is also ideal for workout playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars

CD's Country, Folk, & Bluegrass Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

BACK IN THE SADDLE (by Matraca Berg: Sunday Morning to Saturday Night)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:20 Min.

It’s the third track from Matraca Berg’s 1997 album, Sunday Morning to Saturday Night. Berg co-wrote the song with Stan Lynch. The rollicking music video depicts Berg hanging out with her pals (Martina McBride, Patty Loveless, Suzy Bogguss, & Faith Hill) before they are later ‘bailed out’ from jail by their real-life significant others.

REVIEW:

Including good-natured bits of ‘drunken’ humor, Matraca Berg’s honky-tonk bar tune is a contagious dose of fun. Berg, with some help from her all-star friends, sounds at the top of her game. The song’s night-out-with-the-girls ambiance makes “Back in the Saddle” an absolute gem.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

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

RIPTIDE {Cover: TV Series Theme} (by The Daniel Caine Orchestra: NYPD Blue – The Best of Mike Post)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:23 MIN.

The 1984-86 NBC TV opening credits theme was composed by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter, but, despite the album’s title, it’s not Post’s brief original version. Covering the theme is The Daniel Caine Orchestra for its 1999 instrumental tribute album, NYPD Blue: The Best of Mike Post.

REVIEW:

While a Riptide TV series soundtrack may not exist, this extended cover from The Daniel Caine Orchestra is a virtual replica of Mike Post’s work. For fans seeking this hard-to-find TV series theme, the cover is likely the best available option.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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

QUANTUM LEAP {Cover: TV Series Theme} (by The Daniel Caine Orchestra: NYPD Blue – The Best of Mike Post)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:03 MIN.

The 1989-93 NBC TV opening credits theme was composed by Mike Post, but, despite the album’s title, it’s not actually Post’s own rendition. In an extended cover, The Daniel Caine Orchestra recreates this tune for its 1999 instrumental tribute album, NYPD Blue: The Best of Mike Post.

REVIEW:

Though it occasionally sounds like a cover, its faithful instrumental sound should please Quantum Leap fans. For anyone seeking this TV series theme, this Daniel Caine Orchestra cover is an excellent option.

BRIAN’S 10-STAR RATING: 8½ Stars

Notes: Post’s brief original version appears on 1996’s Television’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 7: Cable Ready album, which was released in CD and cassette formats. Also, another excellent cover version of “Quantum Leap” appears on the first disc of 2000’s dual-disc Battlestar Galactica: The A-to-Z of Fantasy TV Themes.

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

FLASH’S THEME {Cover} (by Mista Lawnge: Flash Gordon movie soundtrack’s 1991 re-release)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 29, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 6:42 Min.

As a bonus finale for 1980 Flash Gordon movie soundtrack CD, Mista Lawnge of Black Sheep recorded this re-mix of the film’s opening theme by Queen.

REVIEW:

It’s a shame that the magic of Queen’s version is wasted. Mista Lawnge’s unimaginative remix is the equivalent of hearing a broken record. Wearing thin in seconds, this repetitive hip-hop track seemingly drones on forever. To justify its existence, Lawnge’s homage really should have been trimmed by at least a good two minutes. Including a pathetic warbling of Ming’s dialogue intro, there’s nothing here justifying the price of a download. For your money’s worth, go with Queen’s original version — complete with the gloating Ming (Max von Sydow) & Klytus (Peter Wyngarde) dialogue sample left intact.

BRIAN & ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING: 2 Stars

Note: A tantalizing alternative is the digitally-remastered “Flash’s Theme” (simply entitled “Flash”) available on Queen’s 2002 Platinum Collection set. Specifically, the film dialogue sampling is different than the soundtrack version.

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

ANDANTE, ANDANTE (by Lily James: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 29, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:00 Min.

For the 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, actress Lily James (as a young ‘Donna Sheridan’) covers this ABBA tune.

REVIEW:

Lily James’ vocals are ideal for this dreamy Broadway-like ABBA cover. Despite a charming piano-driven melody, this slower-paced track doesn’t emerge as one of the soundtrack’s most memorable efforts. It isn’t James’ fault so much, as the song’s jazzy lyrics tend to be more middle-of-the-pack ABBA. As a download option, this “Andante, Andante,” is a fine choice, but James sparkles on her gentle solo rendition of “I Have a Dream” from this same album.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

CD's Individual Tracks (CD's) Jazz & Blues Music & Radio Shows

BLUE SKIES {Cover} (by Diana Krall: Turn Up the Quiet)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 29, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:38 Min.

From her 2017 cover album, Turn Up the Quiet, Diana Krall offers her take on this 1926 Irving Berlin show tune.

REVIEW:

It’s a terrific cover. As part of Diana Krall’s Turn Up the Quiet album, it’s a delightfully droll treat to hear. Jazz enthusiasts might be inclined to add this old school tune to a favorite playlist.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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

AFER VENTUS (by Enya: Shepherd Moons)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 29, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:06 Min.

It’s the eleventh track of Enya’s 1992 Shepherd Moons album.

REVIEW:

Although Enya’s elegant voice doesn’t disappoint, the tranquil melody drags at times. Further, there is isn’t anything remarkable about “Afer Ventus,” despite its thematic continuity with Shepherd Moons. The track seems middle-of-the-pack, as it neither bolsters nor weakens the album itself. For her fans, “Afer Ventus” will be worthwhile, but, for just casual listening, there are better choices available for an Enya download. Case in point: “Book of Days,” from this same album, (it’s Track 7) is a gem.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars