More movie soundtracks I have loved . . . or at least liked . . . mostly:
- "Forrest Gump: The Soundtrack," various artists (epic soundtrax). The cover of the "Forrest Gump" soundtrack album trumpets: "32 American Classics on 2 CDs," apparently in the hope that it will be placed somewhere between "American Graffiti" and "The Big Chill" as a landmark soundtrack collection. And it just may, as it offers a historical overview of the songs that played behind America's recent turbulent history. From Elvis to the Supremes to Aretha to Simon & Garfunkel to the Doors to the Byrds to Lynyrd Skynyrd . . . it's a sampler of rock 'n' roll's greatest hits from three decades - "Hound Dog," "Respect," "Mrs. Robinson," "Break On Through," "Turn! Turn! Turn!" "Sweet Home Alabama". . . . And, of course, some more specifically political tunes, such as Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" and Creedence Clearwater's "Fortunate Son." Great listening, and the record-buying public apparently agrees, as this one has already climbed to No. 2 on Billboard's top 200 chart. (No. 1, by the way, is another soundtrack, Disney's "The Lion King.") * * * *- "Forrest Gump: Original Motion Picture Score," Alan Silvestri (epic soundtrax). The "Forrest Gump" "soundtrack" double album above also features as a bonus final track Alan Silvestri's instrumental score boiled down to the "Forrest Gump Suite." But this "Original Motion Picture Score" album is pure Silvestri, and it's a reminder of how integral the music was to the film. Yet, it also stands alone as a real listening treat. Silvestri's simple piano melody, a most appropriate theme for this film, receives some lovely variations, ranging from the sweet and gentle to the triumphant and powerful. * * * 1/2
- "The Mask," various artists (Chaos/Columbia). I was surprised how much I enjoyed listening to "The Mask" soundtrack, which is not only a lively, toe-tapping collection of various musical styles but also made me smile as I heard Jim Carrey singing "Cuban Pete" again (twice, including a "Radio Edit" that has some of his trademark phrases from the film, like, "Smokin'!") In addition, there is Domino's terrific "The Business of Love," K7's delightful cover of Cab Calloway's "Hi De Ho," the big band-style "Let the Good Times Roll" by Fishbone and Tower of Power, the very pretty "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You" from Susan Boyd, and the Royal Crown Revue's knockout "Hey Pachuco." This one is a wow all the way. Bonus: A minicomic book of the film is included with the CD. I do have one serious complaint, however - where's Randy Edelman's great instrumental score? Let's hope it gets a release soon. * * * *
- "Wolf," Ennio Morricone (Columbia/Sony Classical). Ennio Morricone has long been one of my favorite classical movie musicians, though his work is decidedly hit and miss. But when he hits, he hits big - and "Wolf" proves to be one of his best scores in some time. This work is moody and romantic (like the movie it represents), with some traditional horror strains thrown in, including direct references to the stock themes of Universal's old classics, such as, well, "The Wolf Man." There are some trademark Morricone elements, of course, and fans won't be disappointed. Personal favorite: The 9-minute-plus "The Dream and the Deer." * * * 1/2
- "The Endless Summer II," Gary Hoey (Reprise). If grungy, instrumental rockin' and sockin' is more your style, don't miss Gary Hoey's variations on "Low Rider" and Vince Guaraldi's "Linus and Lucy" (yes, from the "Peanuts" cartoons), not to mention his own "The Deep" and "Riptide." This is a marvelous collection without a lazy track to be found. And if it doesn't get you dancing, check your pulse. * * * 1/2
- "North," Marc Shaiman (epic soundtrax). If you want something that is varied, mixing multiple musical styles, you can't do better than this soundtrack from "North," which plays much better than the film itself. From the ethereal "Main Title," and its numerous variations (my favorite is "North Looks West"), to the "Bonanza" spoof by Reba McEntire and Dan Aykroyd to the "Hawaii" medley to "The World Traveler" (which includes "Amazing Grace" and "Can-Can"), etc. We even have Elijah Wood briefly vocalizing (in comic manner) "If I Were a Rich Man" from "Fiddler On the Roof." Great fun. * * * 1/2
- "City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold," Marc Shaiman (Chaos/Columbia). Though Shaiman turned out a delightful soundtrack album with "North," it probably won't do much on the musical charts because the movie tanked at the box office. Shaiman's "City Slickers II" soundtrack will likely sell better because the movie was a modest success. Unfortunately, this album is, like the movie, merely a retread of familiar territory, generally a jumble of Western themes that are vaguely familiar but not very memorable. * *
- "True Lies," Brad Fiedel/vartious artists (Lightstorm Music/epic soundtrax). More soundtrack releases could take a lesson from "True Lies," which has a few selected songs that were used in the film but devotes the bulk of the album to Brad Fiedel's adrenalin-pumping score. This is exciting music, with an occasional slow-relief piece, such as the saxophone-solo on "Shadow Lover." Living Colour's cover of Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" is great fun and "Darkness Darkness" by Screaming Trees is also a treat. * * *
- "It Could Happen to You," Carter Burwell/various artists (Columbia). Carter Burwell writes some of the most engaging music in movies these days ("The Hudsucker Proxy," "Raising Arizona") but he has only two cuts (albeit excellent cuts) on the "It Could Happen to You" soundtrack album, which is largely devoted to some great old standards, and covers of great old standards. Call this "Sleepless in Seattle Lite," if that's not redundant. Still, it's hard to complain when you've got Billy Holiday doing "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and Tony Bennett on "Always" and Frank Sinatra singing "Young at Heart" - and a couple of nice Burwell cuts. Still, this one could have taken a lesson from the aforementioned "True Lies" album. * * *
- QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Pauly Shore, starring in "In the Army Now":
"I have pulled it off. People come up to me and say, `Hey, man, I thought you would have done a slow fade by now.' Well, I haven't done a slow fade. I'm still here, and it's only going to get better."