The problem with compilation albums is getting one which has more than 50% of the tracks as ones you would want to hear over and over again. With film soundtracks there is usually a good focussed mix and you do get to recall the film from the contents, assuming you’ve seen it of course. The Bridget Jones Diary soundtrack has been released and they all feature within the film to a greater or lesser extent. There is a mix of old records and newer stuff and some up tempo and inevitably for a girlie film a fair few ballads.
Some songs work better than others, Geri Halliwell’s uninspiring version of Its Raining Men is here and this is nowhere near as joyous as the original. I personally love Gabrielle’s voice and her Out Of Reach features here. She seems to get better with every album and every track she releases. Whether she will ever get to be up there with Aretha Franklin is another matter but the classic Respect is included. For different reasons I also like Sheryl Crow and she pops up with ‘Kissin That Girl’. There are a couple of Shelby Lynne tracks ‘Killin Kid’ and ‘Dreamsome’ and I confess to never having heard her before, in this company she is swamped. This is an album with an eclectic mix and Andy Williams pops up with @Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ and there is the Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross duet on ‘Stop, Look , Listen To my Heart’. Gaye did many duets in his all too short life, alas this was not one of the best. Whilst on the subject of disappointment I have to skip past Jamie O’Neal’s ‘All By Myself’, I hate that song. As I do ‘I’m Every Woman’ by Chaka Khan perhaps I’m not into the gender war enough to appreciate it.
But there are some nuggets ‘Don’t Get Me Wrong’ by the Pretenders is good but I always think I would hate to be Chrissie Hynde’s hairdresser, is that a dull repetitive job or what? Alsiha’s Attic are always good and ‘Pretender Got My Heart is a good track.
Finally let’s not forget Robbie Williams with the specially written ‘Have You Met Miss Jones?’ and also ‘Not Of This Earth’ .He does another smooth jazz feel as he did with ‘Come Fly With Me’ on the Robbie the Reindeer video and a reasonable semi-ballad. Always good value is Robbie.
All things considered this is a good album with, for me, just enough good tracks to merit a purchase. It is an album for fans of the film and/or ladies of a certain age and vulnerability but no worse for that.
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Out Of Reach - Gabrielle Respect - Aretha Franklin It's Raining Men - Geri Halliwell Have ... more
You Met Miss Jones? - Robbie Williams I'm Every Woman - Chaka Khan Don't Get Me Wrong - Pretenders Kiss That Girl - Sheryl Crow Killin' Kind - Shelby Lynne Someon...
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Britain's favourite singleton, Bridget Jones, has finally made it to the big screen (and ... more
onto the cover of this 19-track soundtrack), bringing hope to lonely souls all over the country and a word of warning to smug marrieds everywhere. For what should ...
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Jul 2nd, 2001
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