Category: Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles)

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 3:34 Min.

Covering ABBA, Meryl Streep (as Donna Sheridan) performs the title tune off 2008’s Mamma Mia! movie soundtrack. 

REVIEW:

Along with excellent support from her back-up singers, Meryl Streep’s exuberant “Mamma Mia” is a dynamite cover.  It’s frankly hard to imagine what Streep doesn’t possess in her artistic repertoire.  Absolutely recommended!         

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                8½ Stars

Note: Streep’s “The Winner Takes It All” ballad is another winner from the same album.

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

SUMMARY:                                       RUNNING TIME: 3:19 Min.

Teaming up, co-stars Pierce Brosnan & Meryl Streep cover this ABBA tune for Mamma Mia!’s 2008 soundtrack. 

REVIEW:

Sporting likable vocal chemistry, this full duet between Pierce Brosnan & Meryl Streep largely succeeds due to Streep’s magnetism.  In fairness, this tune is Brosnan’s best musical contribution, as he somehow holds his own with his co-star’s more accomplished vocals.  Between Streep’s classiness and a solid effort by their back-up singers, this sunny duet is well worth considering as a download option. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      7 Stars

Note: Their other Mamma Mia! duet: “When All is Said and Done” predictably falters, as it’s Brosnan struggling in a solo effort (since Streep barely contributes to the song).

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

SUMMARY:                                       RUNNING TIME: 5:02 Min.

Including an orchestral overture that lasts about ninety seconds, this upbeat pop-rock tune by British performer Murray Head headlines the mid-to-late 80’s stage musical, Chess.  Its chorus is provided by Swedish performer Anders Glenmark.  The tune’s celebrity writing team includes Tim Rice and two ABBA alums: Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus. 

The soundtrack was re-released in 2014.

Note: The radio-length version (minus the overture) is available, for instance, on 2000’s Broadway Greatest Leading Men compilation album.

REVIEW:

Suffice to say, the grandiose overture is unnecessary.  It only reminds listeners that the song is really a West End/Broadway show tune.  As far as Murray Head’s actual contribution goes, it’s amusingly unique.  Despite throwing shade at Thai culture, this track is an entertaining analogy to the show’s Cold War-era chess showdown.  While Head delivers an excellent, semi-wacky performance, the song’s best component is its distinctive pop melody. Considering the extensive star power devising this tune, it’s no wonder that “One Night in Bangkok” is still a reliable 80’s gem. 

If given a choice, the shorter of the two is the better download; the overture pretentiously turns “One Night in Bangkok” into an extended version. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        7½ Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE