SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 43 Min.
Released by GRP Records in 1989, this album consists of nine jazz instrumentals and two Michelle Pfeiffer ballads. The tracks are:
Title: Artist: Running Time:
- Main Title (Jack’s Theme) Dave Grusin 6:39
- Welcome to the Road Dave Grusin 5:32
- Makin’ Whoopee Michelle Pfeiffer 3:08
- Suzie and Jack Dave Grusin 4:58
- Shop Till You Bop Dave Grusin 4:44
- Soft on Me Dave Grusin 2:29
- Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me The Duke Ellington Orchestra 3:25
- The Moment of Truth Dave Grusin 3:54
- Moonglow (1936) The Benny Goodman Quartet 3:25
- Lullaby of Birdland The Earl Palmer Trio 2:29
- My Funny Valentine Michelle Pfeiffer 3:01
REVIEW:
Combining Dave Grusin’s low-key instrumental work and Michelle Pfeiffer’s underrated vocal talents with jazz classics by The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Benny Goodman Quartet, and The Earl Palmer Trio is pure inspiration. Responsible for six tracks, Grusin effectively takes along listeners on a journey where the Bakers’ stale piano act is revitalized by a sultry cabaret singer. As the show-stopping ‘Suzie Diamond,’ Pfeiffer contributes the album’s sultry vocals in impressive fashion.
What confirms this soundtrack as a gem is its spirited jazz ambiance. Hearing Benny Goodman’s “Moonglow” alone is a mesmerizing experience. Even if its track list is disappointingly incomplete (i.e. the exclusion of Pfeiffer’s other songs), the Fabulous Baker Boys album delivers classy nightclub-style entertainment for grown-ups.
PACKAGING:
All the tracks and their running times are listed on the case’s back cover. The fold-out booklet includes a track listing; running times; composition credits; and musician credits.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
