Customer Reviews

American Dreams

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been an "American Dreams" watcher since the series' first episode and, being a music fan as well, it wasn't long before I began eagerly anticipating the soundtrack CD from this show (which we all knew was coming, seeing as how music is itself a character in the show, as much as the Pryor family members are).

I very much enjoy this album, starting with the great title song for the show, "Generation". There's a great mixture of classic '60s tunes by the original artists, as well as new covers of other ones by contemporary pop stars (from the excellently-done re-creations on the "American Bandstand" set, which have become a staple of the show).

Unfortunately, some of my favorite musical guest appearances, the ones I was most eagerly awaiting on CD, are absent from this disc ... specifically Nick Carter (Jay and the Americans), Michelle Branch (Lesley Gore), and Usher (Marvin Gaye). Why were they (perhaps the most publicized of the guest appearances, ironically) left off the disc? Certainly there was room for three more tracks, seeing as how nearly every song is less than three minutes long. Hopefully these songs won't be forever condemned to "musical limbo" and will see the light of day on a future "American Dreams" release.

That's the reason my review is only three stars ... it may be a rather insignificant reason to some people, but a big one for me, since it took away a good deal of the album's worth in my eyes.

So, the big question was whether the Soundtrack for the NBC Television series "American Dreams" would feature the original hits that Dick Clark played on "American Bandstand" in 1963-64 or the covers of those songs by some of the young talent out there singing today. The answer is: Both (sort of). You do have Vanessa Carlson singing "Wishin' and Hopin'" and "My Girl" performed by B2K / Marques Houston but then you have the Zombies doing "She's Not There," Martha and the Vandellas singing "Heat Wave," the Kinks ripping through "You Really Got Me," and even Simon & Garfunkle doing "Sounds of Silence." Once you toss the two versions of the theme song "Generation" by Emerson Hart out of the equation the album is split right down the middle: seven Golden Oldies and seven contemporary covers of same.

I have to admit I am rather disappointed. Each week we get to here bits and pieces of the guest artists doing these songs (e.g., last week with the melodic post-grunge group Third Eye Blind appearing as the Kinks), and I was really hoping that this album would include the complete recordings done for the show (I figured they HAD to let Michelle Branch, Nick Carter, Ashanti, and the rest of these guest artists actually sing the ENTIRE song in the studio). The surprise on the album ends up being Meg (Britney Snow) and Roxanne (Vanessa Lengies) singing "My Boyfriends Back" along with Stacie Orrico, and the producers get props for putting lesser hits from that period by artists like Otis Redding and the Everly Brothers. I feel safe in assuming since this soundtrack has some, but clearly not all of the songs recorded for the show, there were contractual obligations that dictated who could and could not appear on the album. Too bad; 'tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.

This mix of originals and covers is pretty good, but on balance the originals come out ahead. I would have really loved to have heard nothing but the complete covers and I suspect I am not alone in that regard. I already have (almost) all of the originals, which is why I can enjoy the covers so much. Hopefully this situation will be rectified in future "American Dreams" albums because the reason this show bridges the Generation Gap is because we say "Marvin Gaye," our kids say "Usher," and then we start exchanging albums (Okay, so this album does allow that; but I still want more covers).

NBC's freshman drama has smartly captured the turbulence of the early 60s and its impact on America. But unlike the suburban flight that was celebrated on "The Wonder Years," "American Dreams" is mired in the tensions of inner-city, inter-racial Philadelphia, a metropolis that still claimed ownership of American Bandstand. And it's that ownership (and Dick Clark's production of the TV series) that provides one of the show's innovative dramatic conceits.

By casting two of the main characters as Bandstand regulars, the music of the era, and especially its transitions (Girlgroups, British Invasion, Motown, et. al), have become the show's guiding continuity (or discontinuity, if you want to nit-pick the historical accuracy of the song selections). Further, as a lure to the latest MTV generation, the producers have restaged classic Bandstand performances with modern artists, several of which are included here. This CD is a good overview of the show's musical offerings, including s an extended (or more likely original, un-edited) version of the show's theme song (the sensational Searchers meet the Byrds "Generation" by Tonic's Emerson Hart), eight original hits, and six re-creations.

At first, Hart's full-length theme song seems overlong compared to the familiar, edited TV rendition, but a few spins reveals the charms of the additional lyrics and 12-string guitar interlude. The original artist hits, widely anthologized elsewhere, provide good continuity for the recreations, with highlights that include an expansive stereo mix of The Impressions' "People Get Ready" and Otis Redding's incendiary, soulful "That's How Strong My Love Is." The closing electric folk-rock mix of Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sounds of Silence" having been released in 1965, and a hit in early 1966, is misplaced here -- the straight 1964 acoustic version would have been a better fit.

The re-staged hits offer a few stand-outs, chief among them India.Arie's mesmerizing crawl through Nina Simone's "Come Ye." The sparse accompaniment of congas and organ stabs adds terrific drama to Arie's vocal. B2K featuring Marques Houston perform a letter-perfect take of "My Girl," which, though remarkably similar to the original, generates its own spark. Ditto for Vivian Green's run through Brenda Holloway's "Every Little Bit Hurts" - confident and soulful.

Duncan Shiek gives a performance of "Beyond the Sea" that's more of an actor's play on Bobby Darin's ring-a-ding-ding style than a singer's cover. Stacie Orrico's reworking of The Angels' "My Boyfriend's Back" is more notable for her background singers (series stars Brittany Snow and Vanessa Lengies) than for Orrico's own performance, and weakest of the lot is Vanessa Carlton's cover of "Wishin' and Hopin'," which shows none of the sophistication that Dusty Springfield brought to the original.

Licensing restrictions no doubt scotched several other TV performances from making the CD compilation (e.g., LeAnn Rimes, Usher, and Nick Carter). Still, this is a nice souvenir of the show's first season, and well timed to help fans through summer withdrawal.

I am ashamed to say, I am one of those out there that didn't catch this show while it was on the air. I could just slap myself silly for that! I added this series to my Netflix queue and I am hooked! I can't wait to own it!
I'm only 36 years old but watching this show is like eating comfort food. It makes me think of my grandparents when I see the clothes, the wallpaper, the appliances, the cars, the furniture, the hairstyles and Bandstand! This show deserves so many acclimates for the sets but especially for the actors. They are all superb! Every one of them! Just watching them at the dinner table or watching them in the kitchen brings back so many wonderful memories of what life was like for me as a kid with my grandparents. Here you have Helen (the Mom) in the kitchen cooking while Patty is calling out to her in a typical sibling annoying tattletale voice about Will. The Mom continues to do her thing while talking to her family but still calls out to them to do the right thing. I can't even pick who my favorite characters are because every cast member, including the reoccurring guests like Rachel Boston and Jessica Collins are absolutely brilliant at what they do in this show. Brother and sister JJ and Meg, love them! Love Roxanne! Love Sam, love them all. Wonderful ensemble cast!
It just blows my mind how authentic this show is to families and the early 60's. I feel like I can't get enough of it. Not sure how many seasons there are but I will own all of them.
I apologize to the cast and creators of this show for not tuning in when I should have. I love your show and can't wait to buy each season of it on DVD!
Big props to Gail O' Grady, Tom Verica, Brittany Snow, Will Estes, Sarah Ramos, Ethan Dampf, Vanessa Lengies, Jonathan Adams, Arlen Escarpeta, Keith Robinson, Rachel Boston, Jessica Collins, Joseph Lawrence and of course, Virginia Madsen for giving us such a wonderful show! Thank you to the creators and to Dick Clark for doing such a fabulous job!

This is a great CD for anyone who loves 60's music. It's the best of '63-'64.

Even though its only been on the air for one season American Dreams has quickly become an all-time favorite. Each member of the Pryor family has their own fascinating story line; and the music chosen to accentuate the moods or feelings helps drive the stories home.
The show's theme song "Generation" by Emerson Hart of the band Tonic is the perfect introduction to the show. I would also argue that "Generation" could be used as a blueprint for "How to write a fun pop song".
Contrary to some of the other reviews, I would like to see more of the original artists than the remakes. The remakes such as B2K's version of "My Girl" aren't bad at all... It's just that the original recordings would make a better compilation.
I bought this CD just to have the theme song; but I was impressed by the quality of the original recordings and the remakes.
If you enjoy watching American Dreams then this CD is well worth your money. It's a perfect split of old and new. This will hopefully expand into a great series of soundtracks.

Fans of this show will enjoy this CD. It mixes remakes of old songs by todays artists with other originals from the era. I loved getting the full length version of the theme song "Generation" by Emerson Hart (lead singer of the group Tonic). I recommend this CD to fans of the show and even people who were fans of the show American Bandstand!

Composer Emerson Hart captures the moments with his opening theme "GENERATION" is joined by the music from the '60s, plus more up-to-date tunes from todays music ~ this mixture for the classic drama series "American Dreams", NBC's big hit set in Philadelphia with the Pryors works perfectly. Even the American Bandstand host Dick Clark enters the picture ~ this has blends of "Happy Days", but on a more series note.

Highlights ~ "YOU REALLY GOT ME", featuring the Kinks is "classic" tracks from the beginning ~ "LOVE IS LIKE A HEAT WAVE", with Martha Reeves & the Vandellas turns of the heat ~ "GONE, GONE, GONE", one of my favorite duos the Everly Brothers leave a lasting impression ~ "THE SOUND OF SILENCE", takes us back when Simon & Garfunkel ruled, gotta love it.

Total Time: 40:44 on 15 Tracks ~ Hip-O B0000231-02 ~ (5/06/2003)

This CD is awesome if you watch the show. There is a mix of new artist's that were featured on the show playing a chartacter and old songs. It's a great buy if you watch the show...

Will there be a second season soundtrack? This first one is outstanding. L.Boyer