Complete Capitol Recordings, The - Art Tatum

Advantages: Evokes the film, thematically consistent, beautiful.
Disadvantages: None

...If you are a fan of Baz Luhrmann's stylish Romeo + Juliet, this second soundtrack is your only choice. Unlike the chart indie dominated and frankly unrepresentative first volume, this album showcases the atmospheric mood music that contributed so much to the film. The album is predominantly instrumental; with notable exceptions in Quinton Tarver's choral version of Prince's 'When Doves Cry' and the cast recording of 'Young Hearts Run Free' from the party sequence; but these wordless stories of love and loss will move you nonetheless. I would recommend this album to anyone who actually wants to be reminded of the movie rather than acquire another ragtag collection of unrelated pop "featured in and inspired by the film".... Read review

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Advantages: Original, timeless
Disadvantages: none

...and gave the songs a cohesiveness and depth that had been lacking in earlier more ethereal work. The record is now regarded as a prime example of the progressive rock concept album and while it is true that strong themes run through all the songs; the inevitable passing of time, aging, the pointlessness of materialism and mental instability, the album was not completely written as one single project. 'Us and Them' had been a single track and was going to be used as the part of the soundtrack to a TV documentary about student demo violence. The song was to accompany slowed down images of Policemen charging and beating protesters in the street. For some reason the track was never used and instead found its way on to the album where it matches the mood and tone of the rest of the songs. In contrast to many other concept albums many of the tracks... Read review

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Advantages: Great jazz tunes from the Golden Age
Disadvantages: None

..."Whose Honey Are You?" Indian Summer, by Sidney Bechet is a simple jazz refrain, which is as warm and as welcome as an Indian Summer. Sidney Bechet, feel some people, is one of the neglected heroes of the Golden Age of Jazz. He should not be. Art Tatum's Stormy Weather is a good tune, much performed down to this day by score upon score of artistes. This version is a good, simple version of this classic tune. Just played on the piano, using a lilting style that is fully conversant with the jazz idiom. I paid about £5.00 for this, check on Ciao for the current price using the Ciao price comparison service.... Read review

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