:
"The Mexican [SOUNDTRACK]"
Original Soundtrack
...order here.
Alan Silvestri's soundtrack for "The Mexican" is a mostly raucous affair
tempered with a few sweeping orchestral pieces. It maintains a sense of
humor and outlaw adventure throughout--from the Spanish-flavored,
exhilarating "Oye" to War's funk-reggae classic "Why Can't We Be Friends."
The soundtrack's inclusion of such disparate tracks as Dean Martin's
"You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You" and Men Without Hat's cult new-wave
tune "Safety Dance" adds a delightful levity to the wild
south-of-the-border ride.
"Down To Earth [SOUNDTRACK]"
Original Soundtrack
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Based on 1978's "Heaven Can Wait" starring Warren Beatty, "Down to Earth"
calls on Chris Rock to revamp the comedy for the year 2001. The soundtrack
is also a reflection of the times: it combines sexy R&B tracks and
hip-hop headturners performed by such A-list artists as Lauryn Hill,
Ginuwine, Monica, and Sticky Fingaz with Eminem.
"Recess: School's Out (2001 Film) [SOUNDTRACK]"
Various Artists - Soundtrack
...order here.
"Recess: School's Out" is a kid flick with an oldies soundtrack. No
Britney or Backstreet here--instead the movie hopes to turn little ears on
to Martha and the Vandellas, Steppenwolf, and Three Dog Night. It could be
the best of both worlds: a soundtrack children will want to play a million
times that won't drive parents crazy.
"Sweet November (2001 Film)"
Christopher Young
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An unconventional love story such as "Sweet November" demands a soundtrack
smarter than the average compilation of sappy ballads. Here, you'll find
Stevie Nicks's earthy track "Touched by an Angel" next to the celestial
Paula Cole/Dolly Parton duet "Heart Door." The soundtrack also uncovers
pulse-quickening singles like BT's "Shame," Tegan & Sara's "My Number,"
and Robbie Williams's "Rock DJ." "Sweet November" rises above cheap
sentimentality; its real-life attitude is heartening.
"3000 Miles to Graceland (2001 Film)"
Various Artists - Soundtrack
...order here.
The music on the "3000 Miles to Graceland" soundtrack is about as far from
anything King-related as the title implies. The main characters (criminals
who pull off capers in Vegas while in Elvis garb) might dress the part, but
their explosion-inducing heists are bolstered with industrial-rock hybrids
(Crystal Method's "Vapor Trail," Filter's "It's Gonna Kill Me") and
nu-metal mayhem (Bleeder's "Nothingface," Spineshank's "New Disease").
These songs are as blistering as a Nevada highway at high noon.
EDITOR'S CHOICE:
"Newsies [SOUNDTRACK]"
Allen Menken
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Once upon a time (before elaborate merchandising campaigns and sweaty Super
Bowl victors saturated our collective consciousness with images of the
silhouetted mouse ears), Disney filled childhood with a fantastical
simplicity: the magical wonders of glass slippers, bipedal bears,
levitating nannies, and evil witches. The original soundtrack recordings of
these animated and live-action classics are now available on CD. From
"Cinderella"'s winsome "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" to the "Jungle
Book"'s bouncy "Bare Necessities," no child--inner or actual--should miss
out on these wonderful songs.
Disney classics list
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FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS
The duo Air has largely defined France's fey techno-pop movement, and their
score to "The Virgin Suicides" is a classic example. With shimmering
celestial synths and warm Bacharachian trumpet, "Playground Love" is half
supergalactic wedding processional and half '60s pop bliss. You can
download "Playground Love" for free at Amazon.com
...order here.
More great downloads
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THAT'S ITALIAN
Like "Il Postino" or "La Vita E Bella (Life Is Beautiful)," director
Giuseppe Tornatore's "Cinema Paradiso" is one of those Italian films that
caught American hearts and wouldn't let go. "Cinema" marked the beginning
of a beautiful friendship between Tornatore and film composer Ennio
Morricone, and "Malena" is the latest fruit culled from the marriage of
these two great minds. The soundtrack matches the movie's complex themes of
romance, comedy, and tragedy with an understated elegance that is
Morricone's trademark.
...order here.
WORD FOR WORD
"That whole process started at the end of the '80s when I took my career in my own hands. When even my former promotion people said that my career was pretty much over. They said, 'You're a has-been!' Former teen idol and all that kind of stuff. And I just wouldn't take no for an answer." --Donny Osmond speaking on the evolution of his career
Read the entire Amazon.com interview
...order here.
MORE NEW AND NOTABLE
"Seussical The Musical"
Original Cast Recording
...order here.
The delightful, eccentric, but unforgettably poetic world of Dr. Seuss has left its imprint on countless youngsters--and the parents who continue to use these stories as pieces of ideal bedtime performance art. Bringing these colorful ditties to the stage, Tony Award-winning collaborators Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics)--known for "Ragtime"--have again teamed up, providing a score full of breezy and necessarily wacky high spirits.
"Sondheim: The Stephen Sondheim Album"
Stephen Sondheim
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This tribute is the first release from Fynsworth Alley, the label that producer Bruce Kimmel formed after he left Varèse Sarabande.
Fortunately, he brought along his usual stable of Broadway veterans,
including Liz Callaway, Alice Ripley, and Ally McBeal's Jane Krakowski, singing both familiar and unfamiliar Sondheim tunes. And there's a contribution by Dame Edna that will definitely inspire--shall we say--a visceral response.
"This Is The Moment"
Donny Osmond
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Following his smash success in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat," Donny Osmond continues his pursuit of various Broadway styles. "This Is the Moment" collects songs from Broadway's hottest new shows as well as old classics, all with a fresh, contemporary sound engineered by legendary producer Phil Ramone. Joining Donny are guest artists Vanessa Williams and Rosie O'Donnell in two of the album's high points.
"Godspell (2000 Off-Broadway Cast) [HDCD]"
Stephen Schwartz
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"Godspell" belongs to the category of musicals that can't be exhausted with one interpretation. Even if you've already tried the recently released
"Godspell" (2001 National Touring Cast) directed by Stephen Schwartz's son Scott, you'll want to compare and contrast this off-Broadway revival, which strives for an edgy, more emphatically rock-tinged sound (featuring the band Shirley Temple of Doom).
"It's All In The Game"
Engelbert Humperdinck
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To one generation, Engelbert Humperdinck is the King of Romance and the Sultan of the Showroom, to another a seemingly ageless kitsch colossus. This compilation of standards, Eurodisco-ized covers, and sterling Y2K live renditions of his core hits showcases many of the reasons behind Enge's enduring appeal
"The Phantom of the Opera (Original 1986 London Cast) [ORIGINAL
RECORDING REMASTERED]"
Andrew Lloyd Webber
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A cornerstone--if not one of the central edifices--of the contemporary musical, Mr. Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" has come back to haunt, this time as a remastered version of the original 1986 London cast recording.
HOT UPCOMING RELEASE: ROCKAPELLA
"In Concert [LIVE]"
Rockapella
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Familiar as the house band for the PBS children's show "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" a cappella quintet Rockapella continues to delight with their stylized, snappy brand of tight harmonies mixed with rock, jazz, and R&B. This latest was recorded at a concert last December in Santa Barbara, California, and includes a generous lineup displaying Rockapella's versatility and crowd-working charisma.
JUDY GARLAND STORE
While the TV film Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows provides a fascinating look at the life of Garland through the eyes of one of her daughters, it's nothing compared to seeing one of the all-time
greatest entertainers perform. Visit our Judy Garland Store for videos and DVDs of her films and television and concert appearances as well as related CDs and books.
..browse here.
DVD STORE: MUSICALS & PERFORMING ARTS
Looking for musicals, operas, and other great performing arts on DVD? If you'd like to keep up to date with the DVD releases of Barbra Streisand's farewell concert "Timeless," the "Jesus Christ Superstar" revival, and the like, make sure to visit our Musicals & Performing Arts DVD Store for recommendations, new releases, and special features.
...browse here.
BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK ALBUM
Winner:
"Almost Famous"
Various Artists - Soundtracks
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The Grammys indulged in '70s nostalgia this year; witness Steely Dan's big night. The soundtrack for "Almost Famous" captures the shaggy-hair youth culture of screenwriter-director-former rock scribe Cameron Crowe's formative years as the film's main character, a "Rolling Stone" writer, follows a fictitious band on tour. His course is plotted musically by Heart's Nancy Wilson--Crowe's wife--who selected such era-defining songs as Simon & Garfunkel's "America," Led Zeppelin's "That's the Way," and David Bowie's live rendition of Lou Reed's "I'm Waiting for the Man."
Our Pick:
"High Fidelity [SOUNDTRACK]"
Various Artists - Soundtracks
...order here.
We would have been just as happy if Aimee Mann's "Magnolia" had earned a Grammy, but since the award went to a compilation, "High Fidelity" is a better pick. This soundtrack relies not on nostalgia, but on the main character's obsession with music. His unrelenting love is reflected in an esoteric collection of critics' faves such as the Beta Band, Love, Stereolab, and Smog. These are the bands that pop aficionados (a.k.a. "music snobs") cherish, and for good reason: they rock.
BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK ALBUM
Winner:
"American Beauty: Original Motion Picture Score
[SOUNDTRACK]"
Thomas Newman
...order here.
Thomas Newman's mysterious score for the Academy Award-winning "American Beauty" is accessible and lovely. Unorthodox instrumentation includes tabla, detuned mandolin, and bird calls.
Our Pick:
"American Beauty" deserves the award. You can almost feel the movie's rose petals filling the room as you listen to the score, yet the compositions stand apart from the film.
BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR A MOTION PICTURE
Winner:
"Toy Story 2: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
[SOUNDTRACK]" Various Artists - Soundtracks
...order here.
"When She Loved Me": Another well-known Newman earned a Grammy for his "Toy Story 2" composition. The venerable Randy Newman offered up another instant standard with "When She Loved Me," which is sung by Sarah McLachlan.
Our Pick:
"Man on the Moon: Music from the Motion Picture [SOUNDTRACK]" Various Artists - Soundtracks
...order here.
"The Great Beyond": "When She Loved Me" is undoubtedly a sweet song, but R.E.M.'s "The Great Beyond" from the Andy Kaufman biopic "Man on the Moon" is the best song the band has written in years. An understated reverence informs Michael Stipe's touching ode to the comic outlaw.
You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Soundtracks section.
...order here.
"The Wedding Planner"
Various Artists
~ more...
Although you won't find any of Jennifer Lopez's music on the soundtrack for "The Wedding Planner," in which she co-stars with Matthew McConaughey, there are plenty of like-minded pop artists filling the roster. Lisa Stanfield's cover of "Somewhere My Baby Waits for Me" is treated with a lively backing dance-track, and fellow pop diva Jessica Riddle's "Symphony" reworks a sample from the classic 1970s single "Mr. Big Shot" into a sweet pop sing-along. With lighthearted contributions from Sister Hazel, John Denver, and Olivia Newton-John, the soundtrack holds up as an endearing accompaniment to this romantic comedy.
"Invisible Circus"
Nick Laird-Clowes, Yo La Tengo
~ more...
As a young woman searches for the answers to her sister's mysterious disappearance in "Invisible Circus," Nick Laird-Clowes crafts a foreboding soundtrack that lends the film its brooding overtones. The former leader of the 1980s one-hit wonder Dream Academy (responsible for the lovely single "Life in a Northern Town") employs the critically heralded indie trio Yo La Tengo, who offer their distinctively spare atmospherics.
"O Brother, Where Art Thou"
Various Artists
~ more...
Let's hear it for a country soundtrack that's achieved top-seller status with no radio support. The power of "O Brother, Where Art Thou" stems, of course, from the irrefutably excellent performances by artists who are ablaze with the deepest of Southern heartland soul. The crystalline voices of Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris, and other American traditionalists offset the buffoonish nature of the Coen brothers film, providing a wonderful balance between comedic farce and reverence for graceful artistic form.
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
Composed by Tan Dun
~ more...
Composer Tan Dun's latest work, the soundtrack to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," features Eastern instrumentation, cello solos by Yo-Yo Ma, and an understated score that moves between melancholic string passages and lively percussion.
WORD FOR WORD
Director Guy Ritchie became an overnight sensation when his 1998 film, "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels," proved to be one of the highest-grossing films in British history. Two years later, he made headlines via another production: his high-profile marriage to Madonna. Celebrity gossip aside, Ritchie visited Los Angeles to talk about his second feature film, the jewel-heist romp "Snatch," and, in this instance, its dizzying, eclectic soundtrack.
~ more...
MUSIC FOR LOVERS
From collections of crooners to sweeping, epic scores, romantic soundtracks come in as many incarnations as there are ways to express love. Whether you're feeling tragic, giddy, or hopelessly passionate this Valentine's Day, there's a soundtrack to fit your mood.
Visit our Valentine's Day Store and discover all the music your heart desires.
~ more...
INFINITY AND BEYOND
While scores and soundtracks are essential to any film, they are particularly crucial to science fiction. When science fiction requires an audience to imagine beyond probability, it's the movie's music that provides an immediate, tangible humanity that is otherwise difficult to capture. For sci-fi fans who can't hear the opening trumpets blare in the "Star Wars" theme without immediately striking an air-light-saber pose, these extended, deluxe editions of "The Phantom Menace," "Total Recall," and "Star Trek" will be essential listening (and bestowed with illustrious liner notes--essential reading as well)...
"Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace
(The Ultimate Star Wars Recording)" John Williams
~ more...
"The Ultimate Star Trek"
Various Artists
~ more...
"Total Recall: The Deluxe Edition"
Jerry Goldsmith
~ more...
OUT OF THE THEATER, INTO THE STEREO
The best soundtracks live long after the movie's last showing. Whether these films were praised or panned, here are some of last fall's soundtracks that deserve a second look...
"Red Planet"
Various Artists
~ more...
"Pay It Forward"
by Thomas Newman
~ more...
"Duets"
Various Artists
~ more...
"Get Carter"
Various Artists
~ more...
"Remember the Titans"
Various Artists
~ more...
reviews excerpted are copyright © 2001 amazon.com & associate ncdn and CDnow, TowerRecords, Barnes & Nobel associates