Category: Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles)

LOVE’S FUNNY THAT WAY (by Tina Arena: One Fine Day movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:36 Min.

Australian performer Tina Arena recorded this upbeat pop tune for 1996’s One Fine Day comedy, which stars Michelle Pfeiffer & George Clooney. Arena serves as one of the song’s three co-writers. Notably, “Love’s Funny That Way” is among the album’s few original songs.

REVIEW:

As the classy album mostly consists of low-key jazz/pop covers and a few golden oldies, it’s really up to Tina Arena to bring the One Fine Day soundtrack to life. In vibrant style, the Australian songstress accomplishes this task. Even if her song isn’t a Grammy nominee, Arena’s energetic style is a welcome twist to the album’s sleepy ambiance. By that reckoning, “Love’s Funny That Way” deserves a chance at re-discovery, as it’s the underrated gem of the One Fine Day soundtrack.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance Soundtracks (Digital)

SAVIN’ THE DAY (by Bobby Alessi: Ghostbusters {1984} movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:24 Min.

Recorded by Bobby Alessi for 1984’s Ghostbusters film soundtrack, it appears late in the movie, as the Ghostbusters are cheered on by New York City’s public before heroically entering the haunted high-rise apartment building.

REVIEW:

Between its well-written lyrics and a fun pop melody, this lightweight theme is ideal for Bobby Alessi’s solid vocals. Sporting a catchy up-tempo vibe, Savin’ the Day makes a nice little gem for various playlists, including workouts.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows

SEA OF ATLAS (by R. Armando Morabito, Tina Guo, & Julie Elven: single)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 6:07 Min.

This 2014 single is a collaboration between composer-musician R. (Ray) Armando Morabito, his then-wife: cellist Tina Guo, and German-based Julie Elven.

REVIEW:

The pulsating electronica work by R. Armando Morabito delivers what one might expect of an epic instrumental – that portion is terrific, if not standard-issue. Yet, the stellar cello play by Tina Guo is what bolsters this track up a few notches, as do Julie Elven’s hypnotically ethereal vocals. The fast-paced “Sea of Atlas” would make ideal background music for a film or video game soundtrack.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Note: In 2014, Guo & Elven also teamed with Morabito on the single: “Hydra.” A second recommendation is the Morabito/Elven 2014 collaboration: “Angel.”

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

SHALL WE GO (by Tammy Townsend: Unfinished Business)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:32 Min.

From her 2006 album, Unfinished Business, actress Tammy Townsend performs this track. With a steady resume dating back to the mid-80’s, Townsend is perhaps best known for her role as Zendaya’s secret agent mother on the Disney Channel TV sitcom series: K.C. Undercover.

REVIEW:

Having portrayed singers on television before, it’s no surprise that Tammy Townsend possesses a classy R&B voice. Softly elegant and low-key, her vocals are easily this tune’s best asset.

Yet, the standard-issue mentality driving the song’s piano melody is obvious. There’s an effort to incorporate a few jazzy twists, but this element does too little to boost the tune. The track’s abrupt end, after a minimal fadeout, doesn’t help, either. For Townsend’s fans, “Shall We Go” makes a nice find, but the song isn’t necessarily a keeper.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

THIS ISN’T THE END (by Sharon Leal: Leal)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:57 Min.

This romantic ballad appears on actress-singer Sharon’s Leal’s 2014 self-titled album, Leal.

REVIEW:

As to Sharon Leal’s endearing vocals, “This Isn’t the End” is terrific. Yet, the song’s clichéd melody makes her identity as its vocalist irrelevant. More specifically, “This Isn’t the End” is indistinguishable from similar-sounding pop/R&B hybrids by various female performers. Bolstered by Leal’s classy effort, “This Isn’t the End” at least makes a good download among a wide selection of options in this genre.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Rock & Symphonic/Metal

SHOT OF POISON (by Lita Ford: Dangerous Curves)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:30 Min.

Lita Ford released “Shot of Poison” off her 1991 album, Dangerous Curves. In addition to inspiring a 1992 music video, this song went on to score a 1993 Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

REVIEW:

This song possesses a definite ‘80s lite-metal sound. While the standard-issue melody holds up okay, Lita Ford’s upbeat vocals can’t disguise the tune’s shallow, generally clichéd lyrics. It’s hard to fathom why the unremarkable “Shot of Poison” almost earned a Grammy, but Ford’s charisma was evidently the difference maker. If anything, her “Shot of Poison” remains a decent option for ‘80s rock and lite-metal playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows

NOCTURNE (by BrunuhVille: Rebirth)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:30 Min.

Released by Portuguese composer, BrunuhVille, it’s the third track off his 2014 album, Rebirth.

REVIEW:

Effectively relaying both its piano and choral elements, the ominous tone of “Nocturne” is very reminiscent of similar artists, such as Nox Arcana and Midnight Syndicate. In that sense, there isn’t anything distinctive about this track.

Yet, without using sound effects to enhance this eerie instrumental, BrunuhVille does a masterful job blending classiness and creepiness. The end result is an ideal accompaniment to a movie trailer. For fans of epic/Celtic/dark fantasy-style instrumental tracks, “Nocturne” is a gem worth downloading.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance Soundtracks (Digital)

MOONLIGHTING (by Al Jarreau: The Very Best of – An Entertaining Adventure)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:04 Min.

Recorded for 1987’s Moonlighting TV series soundtrack, this is the full-length version of Al Jarreau’s opening credits theme song. This jazzy tune was later included as a 2009 track for the late Jarreau’s The Very Best of: An Entertaining Adventure album.

Note: Please note that Moonlighting’s opening credits version has a minute-length running time. That version is available on 1996’s Television’s Greatest Hits, Volume 6: Remote Control album in both CD and cassette formats.

REVIEW:

Epitomizing jazzy romantic pop, the smooth magic of hearing Jarreau croon this tune never grows old. With a silky tone reminiscent of Nat King Cole, Jarreau imbues this upbeat tune with a sense of classiness that so few vocalists can replicate. Not only for TV nostalgia aficionados, this high-caliber track proves ideal for any home or work playlist.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital) STAR TREK-Related

OVERTURE {End Title} (by Dennis McCarthy: Star Trek Generations movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:14 Min.

As heard over the closing credits of 1994’s Star Trek: Generations, this orchestral track by conductor Dennis McCarthy summarizes the film’s thematic content. In particular, this end title is meant to celebrate the adventurous spirit of Captains Kirk (William Shatner) and Picard (Patrick Stewart) joining forces within the time-warping Nexus to thwart Malcolm McDowell’s mad scientist, Soran.

REVIEW:

If anything, it’s the sole asset of composer/conductor Dennis McCarthy’s otherwise unremarkable score. Deliberately closer in spirit to Star Trek: The Original Series, this well-constructed overture desires the aura of an epic space Western. In that sense, McCarthy mostly succeeds, considering the film’s Kirk/Picard horseback riding sequence is hardly a coincidence.

This classy instrumental also nicely conveys the ethereal ‘Nexus’ sub-theme before returning to its heroic main thread. At the ideal moment, a familiar reprise of Alexander Courage’s signature Star Trek tune effectively completes tis track.

“Overture” isn’t in the same league as James Horner’s nautical-themed Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan score. Yet, in terms of its originality, the Generations instrumental is still a Top Five Trek film theme.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Notes: The best cover rendition can be found on 1996’s Symphonic Star Trek performed by Erich Kunzel & The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Another of McCarthy’s worthwhile sci-fi tracks to check out is his full-length V: The Series TV theme from 1984.

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital)

NEVER FORGET (by Michelle Pfeiffer: Murder on the Orient Express {2017} movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:58 Min.

Heard over the closing credits of 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express movie, actress Michelle Pfeffer (who appears in the supporting cast) performs this wistful ballad. The song was devised by the film’s composer, Patrick Doyle.

REVIEW:

Inexplicably, this haunting song wasn’t nominated for a Grammy or Academy Award. Michelle Pfeiffer’s ethereal presence makes “Never Forget” one of the most poignant movie tunes released in recent memory. The track’s melancholic, piano-driven melody matches her elegance, in terms of first-class work.

One would never guess from Pfeiffer’s vocals that it’s been nearly thirty years since her memorable cover songs in 1989’s The Fabulous Baker Boys, i.e. “Makin’ Whoopee” and “My Funny Valentine.” If anything, Pfeiffer’s mature vocal delivery sounds even better now. Absolutely recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

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