This site was conceived as a side project by a "tekkie" friend of mine who suggested I use my journalistic experience to write about something I love. We bandied about some ideas before settling on this one - largely because I had collected movie soundtracks for much of my life and thought I could write about them. We wanted the site to be user friendly, well-written and reliable.
Over time, I hope to attract other writers keen to contribute to the site, who don't mind foregoing the financial benefits they may be used to in the short-term for something that may, or may not, be profitable further down the line.
The gradual demise of the cd format, re-emergence of vinyl, along with the expansion of blu-ray dvd and downloads translate to an ever-changing market place; despite this, most of us still buy cd's and dvd's and I hope that you will use the Amazon links on this site to buy online.
We have also included mini YouTube video links that accompany the reviews, so that you can listen to your favourite theme music while watching a related trailer or clip from the movie; because film is a visual medium, there seems no better way of presenting it.
Finally, a note on the type of soundtracks featured. Though purists generally view albums such as "Top Gun", "Flashdance" and others like them, as unworthy of coverage on a film soundtrack site, preferring instead to focus on orchestral scores, we have taken the view that these albums have earned their place based on their continued saleability and affection with a large section of cinema-goers. We wanted to reach as broad an audience as possible and have developed the site with this in mind, without forgetting those fans for whom composers such as Bernard Herrmann and Jerry Goldsmith, among many others, are considered on a par with the master composers. We hope you can find your best movie soundtracks on this site.
Nine To Five
1980, 20th Century Fox.
Charles Fox.
Intrada, Special Collection #84. Rating:
Charles Fox wrote a entertaining, if slight score to accompany the on-screen, often slap stick exploits of a group of female office workers who believe they have accidentally killed the boss with rat poison. Launching the film career of country singer Dolly Parton, ‘Nine To Five’ was a box office hit but relies solidly on the performances of its stars, including Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin to keep its ridiculous storyline in check. The highlight of the soundtrack album is undoubtedly Parton’s hit ‘Nine To Five’ but cues, ‘Violet’s Fantasy’, with its Disney-esque tone and the upbeat ‘Office Montage’ provide the listener with just enough to keep them interested. Just.
Nine To Five Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. 9 To 5 - Dolly Parton.
2. Violet Steals Body.
3. Office Montage.
4. Judy’s Fantasy.
5. Hart Tries To Escape.
6. Pillow Fight.
7. Violet’s Fantasy.
8. Easy Time.
9. Dora Lee’s Fantasy.
10. Violet Poisoned The Boss.
11. Ajax Warehouse.
12. The Intruder.
13. Charlie’s Bar.
14. 9 To 5 (Reprise) - Dolly Parton.
The Dukes Of Hazzard.
2005, Warner Bros.
Various.
Columbia, CD, 2005, 520502 2. Rating:
Nathan Barr’s light but likeable score is unfortunately absent from this collection of country/MOR crowd pleasers with the likes of The Allman Brothers Band (‘One Way Out’) Lynard Skynard (‘Call Me The Breeze’) and The Charlie Daniel’s Band (‘The South’s Gonna Do It Again’) doing their best to bring a little life to Jay Chandrasekhar’s directorial disaster, based on the 1980s television series, about two good ole boys and the bad, bloated boss Hogg (played by Burt Reynolds) who is out to get ‘em. Though Jessica Simpson’s (who plays Daisy Duke in the movie) awful version of Nancy Sinatra’s ‘These Boots Are made For Walking’ sounds like a desperate grab at chart status, Ram Jam’s explosive ‘Black Betty’ and James Gang’s ‘Funk #49’ add a bit of edge to an album that while far from perfect could have been a whole lot worse.
The Dukes of Hazzrd Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray
Track Listing:
1. Uncle Jesse Tells A Joke (Dialogue).
2. These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ (Jessica Simpson).
3. One Way Out (The Allman Brothers band).
4. Pride And Joy (Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble).
5. Call Me The Breeze (Lynard Skynyrd).
6. The South’s Gonna Do It Again (The Charlie Daniels Band).
7. Flirtin’ With Disaster (Molly Hatchet).
8. Hillbilly Shoes (Montgomery Gentry).
9. Black betty (Ram Jam).
10. Soul City (Southern Culture On The Skids).
11. Change my Mind (The Blueskins).
12. Burn It Off (Blues Explosion).
13. Funk #49 (James Gang).
14. Good Ol’ Boys (Willie Nelson).
15. Uncle Jesse tells A Joke (Dialogue).
Carry On.
1958-78, Rank.
Eric Rogers/Bruce Montgomery.
Silva Screen, CD, 2004, SILCD1168. Rating:
The Carry On films may not be to everyone’s taste but this collection of music and dialogue from the series is a highpoint for fans. Compiled in categories, rather than the chronological line-up you might expect, the material is highly evocative of both the period and its British origins with ‘Rule Britannia’ making its debut in the first cue (‘Carry On Up The Khyber’). The dialogue clips, though at times overlong, are well-chosen and amusing; the fact that there are many more similar ones that didn’t make it however may be a reminder of the limitations of the series’ originality and this saminess becomes tired as the CD progresses. Songs written for the films, particularly spoof horror ‘Carry On Screaming’ and ‘Carry On Cowboy’ add something a little different and an incidental song from the latter’s score, ‘This Is The Night For Love’, sung by Carry On star Angela Douglas, is a reminder of just how good some of the music remains. Two detailed booklets, one containing synopses from the films, the other with production notes and poster art, demonstrate a true love of the subject that stretches beyond either the quality of the films themselves or their sometimes tired turns of phrase. If you love Carry On, you won’t be disappointed. An outstanding package! Carry On. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Carry On Up The Khyber.
2. Carry On Jack.
3. Carry On England.
4. Follow That Camel.
5. Carry On Sergeant.
6. Carry On Nurse.
7. Carry On Doctor.
8. Carry On Matron.
9. Carry On Again Doctor.
10. Carry On Constable.
11. Carry On Spying.
12. Carry On Screaming.
13. Carry On Teacher.
14. Carry On Cabby.
15. Carry On Regardless.
Disc 2
1. Carry On Camping.
2. Carry On Behind.
3. Carry On Cruising.
4. Carry On At Your Convenience.
5. Carry On Abroad.
6. Carry On Loving.
7. Carry On Emmannuelle.
8. Carry On Girls.
9. Don’t Lose Your Head.
10. Carry On Cowboy.
11. Carry On Dick.
12. Carry On Up The Jungle.
13. Carry On Henry.
14. Carry On Cleo.
