Thursday, June 13, 2013

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button..music from the motion picture


This soundtrack is over 2 discs. Disc 1 is composer Alexandre Desplat's score which is just so beautiful and has a delicate quality about the music. Early tracks play a little more upbeat and almost have a mysterious quality to them, like the track 'Love in Mourmansk." As the story of Benjamin and Daisy unfolds, the music grows more complex and sad - in parallel to the emotional journey that the two lovers go through. There are many great tracks throughout, such as "Meeting Again" which is a simply beautiful track with intricate piano work, also 'Sunrise on Lake Pontchartrain', 'Benjamin and Daisy', 'Love in Mourmansk', 'Postcards' and 'Alone at Night' are achingly wistful, exquisite pieces. Such beauty should not be overlooked.

Whether or not you have seen the movie, which is also beautiful, this soundtrack must be heard. It is delicious and splendid with delicate, yet powerful, tones on each instrument. You will find yourself softly humming the haunting theme over and over. This is a masterpiece.

Disc 2 contains music from the different eras of the movie with includes classic music by Louis Armstrong, The Platters and Bix Beiderbecke, plus dialogue from several scenes.




                                      

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Cinema Paradiso...original soundtrack


This 1988 classic from director Guiseppe Tornatore is certainly one of the greatest movies about movies ever made, and features a rich score by Ennio Morricone.

The initial effort in what's become an ongoing collaboration between filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore and composer Ennio Morricone (in this instance assisted by his son Andrea) remains one of the Italian musician's most internationally beloved works. The bittersweet tale of a young boy's friendship with the local cinema projectionist and the profound, almost magical influence the movies have on both their lives won the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes and the Best Foreign Film Oscar, and netted Morricone a BAFTA (U.K. equivalent of the Oscar) for Best Score. In the late '90s, the music also received one of America's other great "honors"--it was adapted for a car commercial! The score is among Morricone's most elegant and memorably melodic, effectively evoking a rich cinematic legacy; it's a virtual musical love letter to the power of films and their music. --Jerry McCulley (Amazon review)

This is the limited edition soundtrack version with bonus track

1. Cinema Paradiso
2. Maturity
3. While Thinking About Her Again
4. Childhood And Manhood
5. Cinema On Fire
6. Love Theme
7. After The Destruction
8. First Youth
9. Love Theme For Nata
10. Visit To The Cinema
11. Four Interludes
12. Runaway, Search And Return
13. Project For Two
14. From American Sex Appeal To The First Fellini
15. Toto And Alfredo
16. For Elena
17. Cinema Paradiso (bonus track..String Version)





Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Big Night...original soundtrack


The great acting by Campbell Scott, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossolini and Tony Shalhoub explains only some of the magic of Big Night, for the trio share the screen with shot after shot of mouthwatering food and a lively Italian-American score featuring Louis Prima, Rosemary Clooney, Claudio Villa, and Keely Smith. The appearance of Prima himself at a restaurant opening plays a crucial role in the film's plot, but his music included here tells a different, much more joyous and carefree, story. This is one of the few retro soundtracks that don't resort to kitsch or lounge clichés, and all the Italian-American tracks work together well. --Jason Verlinde (Amazon review)

This collection of music gives you a wide range of what is considered popular Italian music. From the traditional troubadour songs of Claudio Villa to the diletto songs like 'Muntagna',to the swingin' jazz style of Prima, Big Night gives you a tasty sampling that echoes the tasty samplings of musical style much the same way the movie itself gives you samples of Italian cuisine. It's all about spice and flavor and passion! A lot of the songs on this soundtrack mention food or have food themes in them. Very enjoyable, whether you understand the language or not. You can feel the passion of the people in the music, and that's what popular songs are all about.

The music is joyful, emotional, funny, melancholy; it will make you laugh and cry (while smiling). The Louis Prima cuts are superb. Rosemary Clooney's "Mambo Italiano" is a classic. The whole collection of songs makes you long for more like them. Play it while you're cooking - play it loud!





                           

Thursday, April 25, 2013

About Schmidt .. The Score by Rolfe Kent



Rolfe Kent is a musical genius...on this soundtrack he combines wonderful themes, playful melodies and heartbreaking instrumentation to produce one of his most memorable scores. A joy from beginning to end.




                                      


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Proof ... original soundtrack recording...music by Not Drowning, Waving


The movie Proof was originally released in 1991 and starred Hugo Weaving, Genevieve Picot and a very young Russell Crowe. It tells the story of a blind photographer who is cared for by his housekeeper and the relationships that are formed when a new friend enters their lives. The now very rare soundtrack was recorded by Australian group Not Drowning, Waving




Saturday, March 16, 2013

Johnny Handsome..music by Ry Cooder


The movie, released in 1989 and starred Mickey Rourke, Ellin Barkin, Morgan Freeman, Elizabeth McGovern and Forrest Whitaker, tells the story of deformed gangster who, with a friend, execute a heist that goes wrong. The music by Ry Cooder suits the general mood of the story... an aural soundscape that blends in with the scenes and is a listening experience within itself.


Drums, Percussion – Jim Keltner
Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Accordion, Fiddle, Percussion – Ry Cooder
Saxophone – Steve Douglas




                                    

Friday, March 15, 2013

reposting of links

Dear visitor, I am currently in the process of reposting some of the links on this blog. If you try to download a sample file and the message from the file server comes up as "permission denied", please leave a comment against the post and I will update accordingly. Thanks for your patience and understanding..cheers...Marty

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

2046...original soundtrack


This now very rare soundtrack is a joy from start to finish. It is very eclectic in the styles of music which include lush strings, lounge, jazz and even an operatic track. The score by Shigeru Umebayashi is entrancing, haunting and dramatic and stands out on its own as an expertly composed piece of music. The other tracks tend to blend in with the score and don't seem out of place which makes it very worthy to listen to...review by Marty

Amazon review......the original soundtrack has 20 moody, heart-felt instrumental tracks from the movie starring the biggest Asian star names in the industry including Tony Leung, Faye Wong, Kimura Takuya, Zhang Ziyi, Maggie Cheung and Gong Li. The well composed, arranged and mixed tracks are the works of the highly respected Umebayashi Shigeru (who has secured music credits for his masterpieces in In The Mood For Love, House of the Flying Dagger and Zhou Yu's Train), London Symphony Orchestra and several other stylish musicians.



1. 2046 Main Theme (With Percussion) (Composed By Shigeru Umebayashi)
2. Siboney Instrumental
3. Sway (Performed By Dean Martin)
4. Christmas Song (Fast Version) (Composed By Shigeru Umebayashi)
5. Julien Et Barbara
6. Siboney (Performed By Connie Francis)
7. Interlude I (Composed By Shigeru Umebayashi)
8. Polonaise (Composed By Shigeru Umebayashi)
9. Casta Diva From The Opera Norma
10. Perfidia
11. 2046 Main Theme (Rumba Version)
12. Lost (Composed By Shigeru Umebayashi)
13. Dark Chariot
14. Sysiphos At Work
15. Decision From A Short Film About Killing (Composed By Zbigniew Preisner)
16. Long Journey (Composed By Shigeru Umebayashi)
17. Adagio (Performed By Secret Garden)
18. Interlude Ii (Composed By Shigeru Umebayashi)
19. Christmas Song (Performed By Nat King Cole & The Nat King Cole Trio)
20. 2046 Main Theme (With Percussion-Train Remix) (Composed By Shigeru Umebayashi)






Sunday, March 10, 2013

The World Cinema Album


If you are a fan of World Cinema then this 29 track compilation will be a nice treat. With music from such popular films as Chocolat, Jean De Florette, Manon Des Sources, Cinema Paradiso and Like Water for Chocolate, this will want you seeking more....enjoy




Thursday, February 21, 2013

Evelyn: Music from the Motion Picture by Stephen Endelman


Evelyn: Music from the Motion Picture by Stephen Endelman, Van Morrison, Pierce Brosnan and Sissel (2002) 

Amazon.com
Pierce Brosnan may have been the most hyped James Bond since Sean Connery, but he's gratifyingly used his burgeoning Hollywood clout to midwife Evelyn, a warm, intimate portrait of an unemployed widower battling both the church and Irish government for the custody of his own children. Composer Stephen Endelman colors the film with a musical mix that leans on traditional Celtic folk touches (fiddle and pennywhistle), skillfully weaving them into an orchestral context that ranges from the gently pastoral to some emotionally detached minimalism. Anchored by vocal performances from Van Morrison and Sissel, and featuring a couple good-natured pub songs by Brosnan himself, it's an inviting soundtrack rooted in Irish traditions, yet one savvy enough to contrast them against a more modern emotional landscape. --Jerry McCulley

1. Sitting On Top Of The World - Van Morrison  
2. Opening Credits  
3. Mom Leaves On St. Stephen's Day  
4. The Nuns
5. The First Judgement  
6. On The Banks Of The Roses - Pierce Brosnan  
7. Desmond Hugs Evelyn  
8. The Chase  
9. The Parting Glass - Pierce Brosnan  
10. D'you Fancy Him?
11. Grandpa's Angel Rays  
12. Fight The Good Fight  
13. Desmond Loses
14. The Rugger Game
15. Jig Two  
16. Statue Of Justice  
17. The Verdict  
18. Angel Rays - Sissel  



                              


Monday, February 4, 2013

Dancing At Lughnasa....Bill Whelan



Beautiful music for an endearing film..Bill Whelan's orchestral soundtrack for "Dancing At Lughnasa" is simply gorgeous. The music aptly conveys the feelings of longing, alienation, sadness, and uncertainty, as well as times of joyful exuberance, as revealed by the film's endearing characters. The music also perfectly suggests the transition of the winding-down of summer and the coming of autumn, just as the film's characters also face a severe change of season in their personal lives.Even without the wonderful film, the music that Bill Whelan has created here stands on its own as a cohesive, moving, emotive work. (text source: Amazon)

1. Prologue
2. The Kite
3. The Road To Ballybeg
4. Jack's Arrival
5. The Gander
6. Gerry And Christine
7. Monsignor Carlin
8. A Kiss In The Forest
9. A Black Bike
10. Our Secret
11. The Picnic
12. The Blackberry Bush
13. The Lughnasa Fires
14. Lough Anna
15. Dancing At Lughnasa
16. Don't Leave Me Yet
17. The Splendid Hat
18. Epilogue
19. Down By The Salley Gardens



Friday, February 1, 2013

A Life Less Ordinary...music from the original soundtrack by various artists


An eclectic album, the film has a vast number of tunes and the album picks from across the board reflecting the film rather than aiming for any one musical genre. Beck's "Deadweight" is loungy, nicely juiced and very cool. REM's low-key, quasi-ambient "Leave" is an intriguing detour for Stipe and Co. All this plus exceptional cuts by Folk Implosion, Luscious Jackson, Sneaker Pimps, The Cardigans, and the splendor of Elvis Presley's "Always on My Mind."

1. Deadweight - Beck
2. Love Is Here - Lucious Jackson
3. A Life Less Ordinary - Ash
4. Velvet Divorce - Sneaker Pimps
5. Kingdom Of Lies - Folk Implosion
6. Leave - REM
7. Don't Leave - Faithless
8. Oh - Underworld
9. It's War - The Cardigans
10. Always On My Mind - Elvis Presley
11. Peace In The Valley - A3
12. Beyond The Sea - Bobby Darin
13. Put A Lid On It - Squirrel Nut Zippers
14. Deeper River - Dusted
15. Full Throttle - Prodigy



Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noël)...original soundtrack by Philippe Rombi

A special treat for the festive season. This is one of those soundtracks that can not only be listened to at Christmas, but any time of the year.

One of Those Rare Film Soundtracks of Significance....Philippe Rombi is the main composer on this Soundtrack.The entire music excerpts of significance are intact, even the artists who were guests, providing professional opera singers for the voices of the two cinematic actor/singers.

Rombi opens the film about WWI with very eloquent, quiet, lovely solo piano music, and very often he is so sensitive to the message of the film that just when the action looks as though the music should be of the Carmina Burana ilk, Rombi settles for orchestral Adagios. He has elected to use the carols Stille Nacht and Adeste Fidelis for the actor Sprink to sing and uses the voice of the gifted tenor Rolando Villazon to intone the music. To establish the relationship between the two opera singers, Sprink and Anna (Villazon and Natalie Dessay), he has them perform a duet version of Bach's 'Bist du bei mer' - the words of which take on deep meaning as the film progresses. When he has a moment for Anna to sing a solo, he writes his own version of Ave Maria for Anna/Natalie Dessay to sing. It is very lovely.

There are several 'tunes' written for the score - 'Fraternizers' Hymn' ('I'm Dreaming Of Home'), the theme for Anna and Nikolaus - which very well could endure long after the score and film disappear, they are that good.

In all the score is very strong and well played, sung, and conducted. This is a soundtrack that bears attention for lovers of beautiful music.... Grady Harp (Amazon review)

1. Ave Maria London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 4:24
2. Overture London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 4:05
3. Hymne des fraternisés (piano) Philippe Rombi 1:26
4. Anna et Nikolaus London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 2:06
5. La guerre London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 6:00
6. Enterrement des soldats London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 3:07
7. Bist du bei mir Philippe Rombi 4:05
8. Stille Nacht Philippe Rombi 4:18
9. La lettre de Jonathan London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 0:51
10. Les souvenirs de Ponchel London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 1:18
11. Le match de football Edouard Dubois 1:49
12. Le discours de l'évêque London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 3:14
13. Le courrier des soldats London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 1:32
14. War adagio London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 5:07
15. Thème de l'absence London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 7:13
16. Hymne des Fraternisés: I'm dreaming of home London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 4:24
17. Adeste fidelis Philippe Rombi 4:15
18. Invitations: I'm dreaming of home London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 2:58
19. Anna et Nikolaus (film version including Nuit de Noël) London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 2:29
20. Aria pour violon et orchestre London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 3:59
21. Hymne des fraternisés (murmures et vocalises) London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) 4:25

(link updated 24-01-14)

                                                         

Thursday, December 20, 2012

21...music from the motion picture



Original soundtrack to the 2008 motion picture featuring cuts from The Rolling Stones (a remix of 'You Can't Always Get What You Want'!), MGMT, LCD Soundsystem, UNKLE, Mark Ronson with Kasabian, Peter Bjorn and John, and many others. A great soundtrack to go with a great movie. The music is interesting, varied, and  very, very cool.


1. You Can't Always Get What You Want (Re-Mixed and Re-Edited by Soulwax) - The Rolling Stones
2. Time To Pretend - Mgmt
3. Big Ideas - LCD Soundsystem
4. Giant - D. Sardy featuring Liela Moss
5. Always - Amon Tobin
6. Young Folks - Peter Bjorn And John
7. Mad Pursuit - Junkie XL featuring Electrocute
8. Sister Self Doubt - Get Shakes
9. I Am The Unknown - Aliens
10. Shut Up And Drive - Rihanna
11. Alright - Knivez Out
12. Tropical Moonlight - Domino
13. Hold My Hand - Unkle
14. L.S.F. - Mark Ronson featuring Kasabian
15. Tender Buttons - Broadcast





                                                                 

200 Cigarettes....music from the motion picture


Starring Ben and Casey Affleck, Courtney Love, Martha Plimpton, and Christina Ricci, among others, 200 Cigarettes is a romantic comedy set on New Year's Eve 1981 in New York City's East Village. Supporting the film is a representative collection of late-'70s and early-'80s new-wave pop-rockers. The Ramones nail down the ferocious end of the spectrum ("I Don't Care"), but the emphasis is on straight pop with Nick Lowe ("Cruel to Be Kind"), the Cars ("Just What I Needed"), Joe Jackson ("It's Different for Girls") and the Go-Go's ("Our Lips Are Sealed"). Roxy Music deliver the sensuous "More Than This." Dire Straits' epic "Romeo and Juliet" is a tad out of place among the slam-bang pop-rock. Modern rockers Girls Against Boys effectively cover Earth, Wind and Fire's "Boogie Wonderland." Blondie contribute "In the Flesh" and a special megamix of "Rapture," plus two newer songs from their comeback effort. --Rob O'Connor...Amazon.com

1. Cruel To Be Kind - Nick Lowe 
2. In The Flesh - Blondie
3. Just What I Needed - The Cars 
4. Save It For Later - Harvey Danger 
5. Our Lips Are Sealed- The Go-Go's 
6. I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow  
7. I Don't Care - Ramones   
8. Boogie Wonderland - Girls Against Boys  
9. Ladies Night - Kool and The Gang   
10. It's Different For Girls - Joe Jackson   
11. Nowhere Girl - B. Movie 
12. More Than This - Roxy Music  
13. Romeo And Juliet - Dire Straits  
14. Peace, Love And Understanding - Party 
15. Blondie Medley: Rapture  -Blondie

                                                                 

Friday, December 7, 2012

Occasional Course Language..soundtrack from Australian independent movie from 1998


soundtrack from Australian independent movie from 1998 with a fine collection of tracks from the cream of Aussie Alternative and Indie artists

1. Spiderbait - Calypso
2. Jebediah - Simple
3. Automatic - Pump It Up
4. The Living End - From Here On In
5. Leonardo's Bride - Even When I'm Sleeping
6. John Paul Young - I Hate The Music
7. Grinspoon - Just Ace 
8. Turnstyle - I'm A Bus 
9. Ammonia - Keeping My Hands Tied
10. Hot Rollers - Wickerman's Shoes 
11. Monique Brumby - Up and Down 
12. Even - Don't Wait 
13. Needle Drop - Miss Me When I'm Gone
14. Sister Madly - Something Deep
15. You Am I - Purple Sneakers




Tuesday, December 4, 2012

I Am Sam - Music From and Inspired By the Motion Picture..with bonus tracks


Amazon.com
Jessie Nelson's poignant tale of a mentally challenged man named Sam (Sean Penn) who recruits a lawyer to help him regain custody of his young daughter leans heavily on the lead character's obsession with Beatles songs, and his innocent trust in their wisdom and emotional truth. It's an artistic gambit that shrewdly lends itself to this mostly rewarding collection of Beatles covers by a wide range of contemporary artists, many of whom no doubt leapt at the chance to record a treasured song by their own musical heroes. The renditions are by and large faithful, and inform the elemental genius of the originals by the strength and variety of the artist's voices alone. The husband-wife team of Aimee Mann and Michael Penn (Sean's brother) can't help but find resonance in "Two of Us," just as Nick Cave's latter-day, heart-on-his-sleeve crooner infatuation makes "Let It Be" all his own. It's the reinterpretations that are riskier. While Paul Westerberg's stripped-down, nasal reading of "Nowhere Man" perceptively underscores Lennon's inherent Dylan fetish and Howie Day turns "Help!" from anxious plea to desperate dirge, Grandaddy smugly alt-rocks the energy right out of "Revolution." The Beatles hardly need anyone to burnish their reputation, but this album goes a long way toward underscoring their most undersung legacy as rock's most transcendent melting pot. -Jerry McCulley

1. Two of Us - Aimee Mann & Michael Penn
2. Blackbird - Sarah McLachlan
3. Across the Universe - Rufus Wainwright
4. I'm Looking Through You - The Wallflowers
5. You've Got to Hide Your Love Away - Eddie Vedder
6. Strawberry Fields - Ben Harper
7. Mother Nature's Son - Sheryl Crow
8. Golden Slumbers - Ben Folds
9. I'm Only Sleeping - The Vines
10. Don't Let Me Down - Stereophonics
11. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - The Black Crowes
12. Julia - Chocolate Genius
13. We Can Work It Out - Heather Nova
14. Help - Howie Day
15. Nowhere Man - Paul Westerberg
16. Revolution - Grandaddy
17. Let It Be - Nick Cave
18. Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds - Aimee Mann*
19. Two of Us - Liam Finn & Neil Finn*

* bonus tracks




                                                          

Monday, December 3, 2012

Grace Of My Heart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ... music by various artists



A terrific sampler of greatest hits from the heyday of girl groups and the Brill Building--except that none of the songs are actually from that era. What we have here is an incredible simulation--from Allison Anders' unjustly overlooked 1996 movie about the tempestuous life and career of a Carole King- like singer-songwriter (the magnificent Illeana Douglas) who spends years writing for others before finding her own voice. But instead of just licensing the old Shirelles' recordings of Goffin-King hits, the filmmakers came up with the brilliant idea of doing original songs by combining the sensibilities of contemporary artists and their songwriting forebears. 

So, for example, Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach teamed up to write and perform the power- ballad "God Give Me Strength"; Leslie Gore teams with Larry Klein and David Baerwald for "My Secret Love" (performed by Miss Lily Banquette of Combustible Edison); Gerry and Louise Goffin team with Baerwald for "Between Two Worlds" (performed by Sean Colvin); J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. writes and sings some Brian Wilson/Beach Boys-type stuff ("Take a Run at the Sun," "Don't You Think It's Time"), and so on. Buy the record; see the movie. You won't be disappointed. --Jim Emerson

1. God Give Me Strength - Burt Bacharach And Elvis Costello
2. Love Doesn't Ever Fail Us - The Williams Brothers
3. Take A Run At The Sun - J Mascis
4. I Do - For Real
5. Between Two Worlds - Shawn Colvin
6. My Secret Love - Miss Lily Banquette
7. Man From Mars - Kristen Vigard
8. Born To Love That Boy - For Real
9. Truth Is You Lied - Jill Sobule
10. Unwanted Number - For Real
11. Groovin' On You - Juned
12. In Another World - Portrait
13. Don't You Think It's Time - J Mascis
14. Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder - Tiffany Anders And Boyd Rice
15. A Boat On The Sea - Kristen Vigard







                                                       

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Mystery Men



Amazon.com
Mystery Men, the movie, is the saga of hero wannabes trying to strut their stuff. Mystery Men, the soundtrack, is an album of modern rockers doing the same. Smash Mouth's "All Star" is the one of the disc's finer moments, an upbeat, dance-ready tune. The Dub Pistols perform their trademark blend of funky rap on "Keep Keep Movin'" while Kel and the M.A.F.T. Emcees give us a taste of the real thing on "Who Are Those Mystery Men." Freak Power (Fatboy Slim's other band) contributes the catchy "No Way." But, ultimately, the Bee Gees' classic "Night Fever" helps save the day. --Jason Verlinde





                                    



                                                              

Friday, November 23, 2012

Swingers...Get A Nightlife!....music from the motion picture by various artists


a "coollection" of swingin' tracks by the likes of Dean Martin, Louis Jordan, Bobby Darin, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Count Basie and Tony Bennett. This will get your party movin', groovin' and SWINGIN'..yeh baby!

1     –Dean Martin     You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You     2:12
2     –Love Jones      Paid For Loving     3:23
3     –Count Basie And Tony Bennett     With Plenty Of Money And You     1:33
4     –Big Bad Voodoo Daddy  You & Me & The Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)    
5     –Louis Jordan     Knock Me A Kiss     2:46
6     –The Jazz Jury     Wake Up     0:52
7     –King Floyd     Groove Me     2:59
8     –Big Bad Voodoo Daddy     I Wan'na Be Like You     3:25
9     –Joey Altruda     Mucci's Jag M.K.II     5:33
10     –Roger Miller     King Of The Road     2:27
11     –The Jazz Jury     Pictures     1:04
12     –George Jones     She Thinks I Still Care     2:33
13     –The Jazz Jury     Car Train     1:32
14     –Average White Band     Pick Up The Pieces     3:59
15     –Big Bad Voodoo Daddy     Go Daddy-O     3:11
16     –Bobby Darin     I'm Beginning To See The Light     2:17