... And that is why I have chosen to review Back To The Movies, an album full of hit records that have been made famous by various movies over the last twenty years.
**GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALBUM**
This double CD has a varied selection of hit records. Some tracks are very 'sugary' ... Read review
Advantages: Lots of well known and likeable tracks Disadvantages: Some tracks will make you cringe
...I have chosen to review Back To The Movies, an album full of hit records that have been made famous by various movies over the last twenty years.
**GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALBUM**
=======================================
This double CD has a varied selection of hit records. Some tracks are very 'sugary' and will make you cringe and possibly wonder why you are listening to them. Other tracks are all time ... ...have seen a particular movie back in time, and others will make you wish you had never seen the movie in the first place.
**CD1**
=======
01: Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes - Up Where We belong
=============================================
Taken from the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman", this well matched duo belt out this classic ballad. Joe Cocker's gravel-like vocals lead us into the ... more
What is the first thing you think of when someone asks you what you remember about a well known movie? It could be the story. It could be the characters or the actors who play them. But quite often, it will be the soundtrack. With a few exceptions, most movies are accompanied by a memorable soundtrack which, more often then not, is a big hit. And that is why I have chosen to review Back To The Movies, an album full of hit records that have been made famous by various movies over the last twenty years.
**GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALBUM** =======================================
This double CD has a varied selection of hit records. Some tracks are very 'sugary' and will make you cringe and possibly wonder why you are listening to them. Other tracks are all time classics which take anyone over the age of 30 down memory lane and can only be played blaring out on an in-car CD player with the windows down! Ok ok, maybe I am getting a little carried away with memories of my youth and the sound of the 80's, but this is a great album and well worth a listen.
So let me guide you through these hits of Movieland. Some tracks will take those who have seen a particular movie back in time, and others will make you wish you had never seen the movie in the first place.
**CD1** =======
01: Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes - Up Where We belong ============================================= Taken from the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman", this well matched duo belt out this classic ballad. Joe Cocker's gravel-like vocals lead us into the track quite gently, shortly followed by Jennifer Warnes' energetic tones, and then the song builds up into a crescendo to the main chorus. A well-known track opens the album very nicely.
02: Roxette - It Must Have Been Love ============================= This was a track from the movie "Pretty Woman". Swedish duo Roxette have had many hits in their own right so their contribution to the movie could only have been an advantage. The track itself starts off quite hauntingly with a hint of sadness, but soon escalates to a strong beat, with Marie Fredriksson taking the lead vocals, as she does with most of Roxette's material.
03: Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around ====================== Taken from the movie "Four Weddings And A Funeral", this track drives me absolutely mad. When the movie was released in the cinemas, Love Is All Around was played to death on the radio stations, and as such, we had a bit of overkill. However, probably unbeknown to a lot of people, this is an old song originally recorded by The Troggs in 1967, but was not such a big hit as the Wets' version. However, it still has a 1960's sound and may possibly come across as a little boring to many people (including me!)
04: Phil Collins - Against All Odds =========================== This is one of my favourite tracks from the album. Taken from the movie of the same name, this is a very emotional offering from the ex-Genesis frontman/drummer and gave him his first solo number 1 hit. For any Phil Collins fans, this is very typical sound from the man from Chiswick.
05: Ben E King - Stand By Me ======================= Again, taken from the movie of the same name, Ben E King gives his utmost best on this track. The musical content is very typical of the 1960's which is when this track was originally recorded. Ben E King presents us with an all time R&B classic with this offering.
06: The Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody
================================ Before anyone groans, no it's not Robson & Jerome! Performed by the original artists, Unchained Melody is taken from the movie "Ghost". This version is by far the best I have ever heard and is another all time classic.. We really get to hear the wide pitch variations of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield and although the song is very slow and sometimes 'whiney', you can't help but like it.07: Maria McKee - Show Me Heaven ============================= Taken from the Tom Cruise movie "Days of Thunder", Maria McKee really belts out the lyrics here. At the start of the track, you think it is going to be a very soft, gentle song. Wrong! This woman can really reach the high notes with vigour. Not really my cup of tea but if you want to listen to it, the stereo needs to be loud.
08: Starship - Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now =================================== Starship, having undergone a couple of name changes, have been recording for what seems like a lifetime. Lead singer Grace Slick must have one of the best voices of 60s/70s rock music and she is definitely on form on this track taken from the movie "Mannequin".
09: Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy ================================== Oh how I detest this record. This has a very reggae feel about it and sounds more like a novelty record. Not really one you can sing along to, or indeed would want to, but at least the movie "Cocktail" was a big success.
10: Bruce Channel - Hey Baby ======================== Taken from the movie "Dirty Dancing", this is yet another 1960's track and is typical of the era. In my opinion, a very lame offering which is usually played at weddings.
11: John Travolta - Greased Lightening ========================= The movie "Grease" was a good excuse for John Travolta to show off his musical talents. Some people think he can sing, some think he can't and should stick to acting. He did quite well on Greased Lightening though. This has a very rock & roll beat and is reminiscent of the Teddy Boy era, for those who remember them. A great track to get people up and boogying.
12: Kenny Loggins - Footloose ========================= Great track! This starts with a very catchy drumbeat before leading into an uptempo song. The movie Footloose is based around dancing and this track certainly has the ability to get anyone on their feet!
13: Blondie - Call Me ================ This track is taken from "American Gigolo". It was recorded in Blondie's heyday when Debbie Harry's vocals were still going strong. This woman could belt out a track with what seemed like little effort and still have everyone upstanding. Shame she doesn't make them like this any more.
14: Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone =========================== Kenny Loggins' second offering on the album, this is a lot more powerful than Footloose and really fits in well with the genre of the movie "Top Gun". Kenny Loggins has the ability to match his style of vocals to the type of movie he is recording for and this is no exception.
15: Irene Cara - Flashdance (What A Feeling) =================================== Not to be confused with "Fame", Flashdance is another track that starts off quite slowly and may lead some people into a false sense of security - you think you are going to listen to a softly softly track, but the beat moves up a step and it's time to get the legwarmers out and jump about to this very lively track.
16: Denise Williams - Let's Hear It For The Boy ===================================== Another track taken from "Footloose", this is very 'poppy' and you just feel like getting your dancing shoes out and boogying on down.
17: Limahl - Never Ending Story ========================= Taking from the movie of the same title, in my opinion, this track is a bit on the wet side. Probably will be more popular with former Kagagoogoo fans. Limahl has not got the strongest voice in pop and it certainly shows in this fairly weak offering.
18: Go West - The King Of Wishful Thinking ================================== Peter Cox and Richard Drummie were the founder members of Go West and had lots of successful hits in the 1980's. The King Of Wishful Thanking is quite a catchy tune but maybe not the kind of track that one would expect to find on a movie soundtrack album.
19: Peter Cetera - The Glory Of Love ============================ Chicago frontman Peter Cetera has a very squeaky clean voice with a reputation to match. This track is a little on the 'cheesy' side, not what you expect as a soundtrack to "The Karate Kid". The main problem with Peter Cetera music is that it all sounds like a Chicago record. If you like the group, you will like this.
20: The Shirelles - Will you Love Me Tomorrow ===================================== The Shirelles were one of the Spice Girls of the 1960's. Listening to this track instantly brings to mind bobby socks and beehives, although this is still a classic song after forty years. The was taken from the film Dirty Dancing.
21: Nat King Cole - Stardust ====================== I personally had never heard this song until I played the album. It is not really my kind of music and I would regard it as a little too old, but probably fits in well with the movie 'Sleepless in Seattle' from which this track is taken.
**CD2** ======
01: Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F ======================== Axel F is an instrumental track, but was a major hit in the 1980's. Instrumental records do not always fair well in the charts, but this was probably helped by the success of the movie "Beverley Hills Cop" from which it is taken. The track itself is very upbeat and has a very strong synthesiser feel to it.
02: Duran Duran - A View To A Kill =========================== As a former Duranee (yes I know, hang my head in shame!) I love this track. All of the theme songs from the James Bond movies have been a hit and this was no exception. I would not say that the lyrics are that memorable compared to some of the Bond tracks, but for any Duran Duran fans out there (and I assume there are still some left…) this is a must.
03: Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger ======================== Ah, classic! This is one to really get your feet tapping. Eye Of The Tiger was a big hit for Survivor, probably much to the relief of lead singer Jimi Jamison who did not originally like the song. A very strong vocal with a classic rock beat. This track was taken from the movie "Rocky V".
04: Huey Lewis & The News - The Power Of Love ======================================= Huey Lewis & News was a band popular in the 1980's who seemed to consist of a never ending line-up. This is the track that really got them noticed and is very poppy with a nice uptempo beat. I dare anyone not to sing along with this. The song was taken from the movie "Back To The Future".
05: Mental As Anything - Live It Up =========================== If I remember rightly, a very old episode of Neighbours referred to some of the young ones going to a Mental As Anything concert. They were really a one hit wonder in the UK and this track is stuck between being a good catchy pop tune and an embarrassing single to have in your collection. The group were from Australia which may explain why this track is taken from the movie "Crocodile Dundee".
06: Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me ==================================== Brat pack offering "The Breakfast Club" was the movie from which this track is taken and is one of Simple Minds best hits. Jim Kerr has a distinctive voice and in my view this is a great track.
07: Psychedelic Furs - Pretty In Pink ============================ In my opinion, not the best vocal sound on the album, but very apt for the movie of the same name. The lead character in the movie is a bit of a tomboy and this track suits it well.
08: Billy Idol - White Wedding ======================= The man with the snarl gives us his all in this track taken from "The Wedding Singer". The track starts with Billy Idol's sultry style, and then moves upbeat to a more punk sound, which of course is where his roots lie - and I don't mean where the peroxide has grown out!
09: James Brown - Living In America ============================= I am certain not many people with share my view on James Brown, but he is a singer who I have never liked and I have never been able to get into his music. However, this is a fairly good track taken from "Rocky IV". If you like James Brown, you will love this.
10: The Beach Boys - I Get Around =========================== No matter what the Beach Boys sing, it always makes you feel like it's summer. This is no exception. A very typical Beach Boys sound, get the Hawaiian shirts out and sing along to this track taken from "Good Morning Vietnam".
11: Philip Oakey/ Georgio Moroder - Together In Electric Dreams ================================================== This track was recorded for the movie "Electric Dreams". The start of the track is well suited to the title in that it has a very electric synthesiser feel about it. A good record.
12: OMD - If You Leave ================== I personally think this track is quite boring. It must have one the longest intros on the album and once I had got to the actual lyrics, I had already got fed up of waiting Probably only suited to OMD fans.
13: David Bowie - Absolute Beginners ============================== The unmistakable style of the man who has reinvented himself more times than Madonna does not disappoint on this track taken from the movie of the same name. It turned out that the song did better than the movie itself, but does prove that Mr Bowie can still churn them out!
14: Prince - Purple Rain =================== Prince is another artist who I have never been keen on. Of all his hits, this is probably one of the best.
15: Tina Turner - We Don't Need Another Hero ===================================== Ms smokey voice herself had a huge hit with this track taken from the movie "Mad Max - Beyond the Thunderdome". I personally think she is quite hard to hear at the beginning of the track as it starts off quietly, but she is soon belting out the chorus as only Tina can. Great track.
16: Dusty Springfield - Nothing Has Been Proved ======================================= The late Dusty Springfield showed that she could still perform quality music 30 years after her first hit. Taken from the movie "Scandal", although the vocals are excellent, the song itself is a little dull.
17: Bryan Ferry - Slave To Love ======================== Former Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry sung this track from the movie "9 ½ Weeks" and I always think that, whatever Bryan Ferry sings, it still always sounds like Roxy Music. Again, this was a little dull in my opinion and nearly sends you to sleep.
18: Christopher Cross - Arthur's Theme ================================ Taken from the movie "Arthur" featuring the late Dudley Moore, this track was always a favourite of mine. Christopher Cross has a very clean cut vocal sound. It is quite a simple track, but a nice one to end the album on.
**ALBUM COVER PRESENTATION** ========================== The album cover itself is nice and bright and shows a drawing of the foyer of a cinema with a queue of people waiting outsider. The title of the album is made to look like it is written up in lights over the door, where you would normally see the name of the movie being shown.
There is nothing too special about the inside cover as this merely lists the tracks on the album. There is also information on purchasing ringtones for your mobile of the various tracks on the album.
The CDs themselves are quite colourful. CD1 is a nice dusky pink and CD2 is an acid green. Nice if you like that sort of thing!
**MY OVERALL OPINION OF THE ALBUM** ================================= In all, I think this is a great album. Like all albums though, there are one or two tracks that I am not particularly keen on, but it all comes down to a matter of personal taste. There is a wide variety of music featuring very different artists and styles of music.
**WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM?** ================================ Yes I would. It is a good album and well worth a listen.
matthewsmum 09.11.2005 (09.11.2005)
Ciao members have rated this review on average:
very helpful
Review of Back To The Movies (40 Hits From The Flicks) - Various Artists
Similar products and search queries by other users »
Back From, Back To From, Back The From, Back Movies From, Back 40 From, Back Hits From, Back To The From, Back To Movies From, Back To 40 From, Back To Hits From, Back The Movies From, Back The 40 From, Back The Hits From, Back Movies 40 From, Back Movies Hits From
Are you the manufacturer / provider of Back To The Movies (40 Hits From The Flicks) - Various Artists? Click here
