Category: Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles)

SPARKLING DIAMONDS (by Nicole Kidman & Other Cast Members: Moulin Rouge, Volume 2 movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:52 Min.

Released in 2001 off Moulin Rouge’s Volume 2 movie soundtrack, the song’s credited performers are Nicole Kidman, Natalie Jackson Mendoza, Caroline O’Connor, Lara Mulcahy, & Jim Broadbent. The Broadway-like song is a fast-paced medley of sorts, including portions of 1949 pop standard “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” and a homage to Madonna’s 1984 hit, “Material Girl.”

REVIEW:

There’s no mistaking this high-energy collaboration is meant as a show-stopper. Its flamboyant big band sound alone screams old-school cabaret on a stage as big as life. With Nicole Kidman leading this team effort, “Sparkling Diamonds” is a surefire download option for movie/Broadway tunes and/or big band jazz-themed playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Note: As a download double-feature, it makes sense to go with Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds Are Forever.”

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

MOMENTS IN TIME (by Paul Hardcastle: The Chill Lounge, Volume 1)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:31 Min.

This smooth jazz instrumental appears on Paul Hardcastle’s The Chill Lounge (Volume 1) album from 2012. It was previously released on his 2005 Hardcastle 4 album.

REVIEW:

Relaxing, contemplative, and mellow, Hardcastle’s New Age-style track is a solid addition to any jazz playlist for winding down after work. There isn’t anything distinctive about “Moments in Time,” but Hardcastle’s classy approach proves a welcome treat.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

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

SOMEBODY LOVES YOU BABY – YOU KNOW WHO IT IS {Album Version} (by Patti LaBelle: Burnin’)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 1, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:53 Min.

For her 1991 album, Burnin’, Patti LaBelle recorded this R&B love song.

REVIEW:

Patti LaBelle’s radiant voice is endearing, but the ballad itself is indistinctive. For that matter, there’s one cringe-worthy lyric that’s impossible to ignore. Hearing LaBelle sentimentally coo “you can make a slave out of me,” — no matter its best possible context, even LaBelle’s vocal magic can’t overcome the awkwardness this dubious line conjures up.

Even so, the song’s classy and gentle R&B melody ages well with LaBelle’s performance style. In terms of originality, this ballad might just as easily have been recorded by Anita Baker or Gladys Knight, among others, from that same era. “Somebody Loves You Baby” offers a good choice for any R&B playlist — it just isn’t a ‘must-have.’

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars

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

I PUT A SPELL ON YOU {Cover} (by Annie Lennox: Nostalgia)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 29, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:32 Min.

Annie Lennox covers the 1956 Screamin’ Jay Hawkins cult classic for her 2014 Nostalgia album. Her rendition was subsequently featured in the 2015 film, Fifty Shades of Grey. Lennox would perform “I Put a Spell on You” at the 2015 (57^th Annual) Grammy Awards, as her Nostalgia was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

REVIEW:

There’s no mistaking this song’s familiar piano-driven melody, as Annie Lennox’s back-up band nails it to perfection. Remaining faithful to the tune’s original sound, Lennox’s vocals imbue a bit more stylish jazz into Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ inspired blend of pop and R&B. Hence, it’s hard to define what musical genre Lennox’s “I Put a Spell on You” actually belongs to, but, for the sake of this review, it seems closer to jazz than pop. To her credit, this classy rendition will stand out as one of the song’s best-ever covers.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

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

POISON APPLE (by Dark Sarah: Behind the Black Veil)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 23, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:16 Min.

For their 2015 album, Behind the Black Veil, Finnish metal band Dark Sarah recorded this upbeat track (Track # 2). Heidi Parviainen is the soprano lead vocalist.

REVIEW:

The pulsating “Poison Apple” serves up an epic metal homage to a suspenseful scene re: the conniving villainess of Snow White. It’s a well-played track that Heidi Parviainen’s operatic voice ominously brings to life — in this instance, she sounds remarkably like fellow songstress Leah McHenry. For metal afficionados, this “Poison Apple” is certainly worth consideration as a download option.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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

SOMEONE LIKE YOU {Cover} (by Shawn Colvin: One Fine Day movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 21, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:11 Min.

First released by Van Morrison in 1987, Shawn Colvin later covered this tune for the One Fine Day movie soundtrack released in 1996.

REVIEW:

Taking her time, Shawn Colvin solidly renders “Someone Like You.” Her take isn’t distinctive, but its nicely tranquil sound makes Colvin’s pop version certainly a potential keeper.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Note: Dina Carroll covers this same song for 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary movie soundtrack. Notably, Carroll’s version is nearly a minute shorter.

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

THE A-TEAM {Cover: TV Series Theme} (by The Daniel Caine Orchestra: The A-Team: Music from the Original Score)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 21, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:16 Min.

The original 1983 NBC TV opening credits theme by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter clocks in at a 1:40 running time, including John Ashley’s voice-over narration and various sound effects.

This extended instrumental cover by The Daniel Caine Orchestra, however, doesn’t replicate those extra elements. In addition to its digital availability, this cover version appears on at least two other Daniel Caine Orchestra CD’s: 2007’s The A-Team: Music from The Original Television Score and the earlier 1999 NYPD Blue: The Best of Mike Post.

REVIEW:

The Daniel Caine Orchestra emphasizes the original A-Team theme more as a patriotic anthem (i.e. lots of militaristic drumming beats). This soaring Caine version also notably doesn’t mimic the edgy rock guitar vibe that Post and Carpenter imbue the TV theme’s mid-section with. Instead, this cover is more of a seamless blend of orchestral work and a collegiate marching band-style of sound. While it isn’t close to the original theme, The Daniel Caine Orchestra’s cover delivers a fun and worthwhile interpretation.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Note: Post & Carpenter’s 2^nd season opening credits version (including the narrative voice-over and the distinctive sound effects) appears on 1990’s Television’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 3: ‘70s & 80’s album — in CD and cassette form.

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