Bridget Jones's Diary (Music From The Motion Picture) - Original Soundtrack > Reviews > All by myself

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
Value for Money

Advantages:	Lots of brilliant tunes
Disadvantages:	As with any complitations there will be songs you dont like

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Bridget Jones - a sensation to sweep our nation. No longer do we have articles saying something was very good, the hip and trendies have to say "v. good" in Bridget Jones Language. I’ve even caught some people trying to indocrinate me with it by sending me text messages full of v.v. goods.

Personally, I have to say, I hated to book with a passion, I hated everything that she went on about - having spent so many years trying to get my friends to stop moaning about their weight, this book was my ultimate nightmare - therefore I was reluctant to see the movie, but we got free tickets for it, and I happened to be off work that night, and my boyfriend really wanted to see it (apparently Bridget Jones reminds him of his sister) - so my arm was twisted.

From the moment the movie started, ‘til the minute it ended, I was transfixed - surely this couldn’t be the same story?! And then I realised, it was the music, that’s what made it for me. From the opening "All by myself" sequence to the "It’s raining men" fight sequence.

I just had to get that album. But I had to wait a week before it came out. I had all the sales assistance in the Music shops in Belfast plagued - and in the end, I got it for £13.99.

So what’s on the album?

The first song is "Out of Reach" by Gabrielle, a well known one, and a slow song. I absolutely loved this song when I heard it in the charts and was delighted when I saw that it was on this soundtrack!

Next up we have Respect by Aretha Franklin. This one gets me singing all the time (to the extreme annoyance of those who have to listen to me) "R-E-S-P-E-C-T , Dunno what it means to me" I think most people know this song and I really like it.

The next one needs no introduction, "It’s Raining Men" by Geri Halliwell, remarkably suitable for the fight scene I the movie, this Weathergirl’s cover song will have most people dancing around their kitchen, or at the very least tapping their foot. It’s in a very different style to the original, which I think works well. Love it.

Robbie Williams sings the fourth song, "Have you met Miss Jones", and as always Robbie is great. It sounds like a really old song, and the first time I heard it, I wasn’t totally convinced that it was Robbie Williams as it’s not his usual style, but it is, and it grows on you.

"I’m every woman" is covered by Chaka Khan for this album, I’m not too fussed on this version of the song, much preferring Whitney Houston’s version.

The sixth song is "Don’t get me Wrong" by the Pretenders, a very upbeat song, another that might just have you dancing… if you’re that way inclined.

Sheryl Crow sings "Kiss the Girl" in the next song on this album, very typical Sheryl Crow style - not my favourite, she goes way too high for me to sing to!

Killin’ Kind is sang by Shelby Lynne. This is one of those "I hurt you and I’m sorry" kind of songs, it’s one that I didn’t like initially, but it has really grown on me!

Dina Carroll sings the ninth song, "Someone like you". Why does this girl always sing really slow songs? It’s a nice ballad.

Robbie Williams makes a second appearance on the album singing "Not of this Earth" a song that he wrote himself. This is more what you would expect from Robbie if you are a fan, compared to the other one on this album. It’s a very usual Robbie Ballad.

One of my favourites (and always has been) is Andy William’s, "Can’t take my eyes off you". Very Romantic with a "brass band" kind of sound to the chorus. This song was used a few years back in a Tennents Ad.

Rosey sings "Love", the 12th song, I don’t like they style of this song, it’s one that I tend to skip when listening to the album.

"Stop Look and Listen to your heart" is sang by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye, a lovely old song, the type that I was brought up on, I could listen to this one for ages, just because it reminds me of my childhood!

Shelby Lynne, "Dreamsome" - Another ballad one, a bit boring really, so I’ll go on to the next one.

Patrick Doyle, "It’s Only a Diary", A beautiful instrumental piece, lovely and relaxing. It is the piece that is used at the end of the movie, and really captures all emotions felt.

Alisha’s Attic sing "Pretender Got my Heart". This is nowhere like the kind of songs I am used to hearing from Alisha’s Attic… still can’t get the "I am, I feel" song words out of my head… anyway… next song..

Jamie O’Neal’s marvellous "All by Myself" was the sole purpose that I bought this album. After seeing the opening sequence of Bridget Jones’s Diary, this song will never be the same again. It’s the one you listen to when you are feeling a bit sorry for yourself.

Track 18 is "Woman Trouble" by the Artful Dodger and Robbie Craig, featuring Craig David. Now I am not a big fan of this kind of music, so I don’t really listen to this track, but I know many people who do, and like this song a lot.

"Ring, Ring, Ring" by Aaron Soul finishes off the album, a very similar style to the previous track, so I usually skip this one too!

So in all, there are some bad songs on this album (in my opinion), but there are more good on it. You will very rarely get a compilation that you like every song on it, and with 19 tracks there are plenty to choose from. I’m glad I bought this album, I have really enjoyed listening to it, and would encourage everyone to at least give it a go - it’s worth that at least!