Customer Reviews

The Big Easy: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The purpose of any review is to say why a CD/movie/book is good or bad, not saying something like "don't waste your time" because "I, a person with 'credentials' says so" (oh, the arrogance of some folks!). As a person without "credentials" but with great taste in music and common sense regarding the rules of professional criticism, I would like to state why I happen to think this CD is good.

A) Because it covers a euphonious, rhythmical landscape filled with a wide range of music (and eras), including R&B, Cajun, Zydeco and Gospel. That makes it interesting and flavorful, as well as good listening for those who are fans of those musical genres. B) The music was picked by the filmmaker to create certain moods for certain scenes. So while some of the songs aren't necessarily the best overall representations for those kinds of music, they do have a strong impact of their own for anyone who has seen the film. It goes without saying, if you liked the film, you'll love the music because now you'll be able to get up and dance (well, I originally saw this in a cinema, so I had to contain myself at the time!). C) There are some GREAT songs here, especially the ones by The Swann Silvertones, Beausoleil, Buckwheat Zydeco and yes, Aaron Neville, whose interpretation of "Tell It Like It Is" is among the most beautiful soul ballads ever recorded. It makes my heart quiver! What more can I say?

It is a shame that St. Augustine's Marching Hundred didn't make the album, nor did the king of zydeco, Clifton Chernier, but this CD still offers one a great blend of staying-up-late music; either for partying, or for musing over the blues.

Being a Minnesotan, I wasn't exactly weaned on the musical traditions of New Orleans. I am a big fan of the movie, though, and on a whim purchased this soundtrack. Hundreds of listenings later, I can say that it is one of the finest musical compilations I've heard. I'm grateful to the movie's creators for exposing me to this fine genre of American music and highly recommend this disk.

And who would have guessed that Dennis Quaid could sing?

This is the one and only soundtrack I have ever purchased, and I purchased it because of the music in the movie. The movie had 18 songs credited to it. I was disappointed when I purchased the CD and found so many (8)songs missing. Then to confuse me more, there are 2 songs on the CD that I cannot find in the video. The quality was good, better than the video, and the music itself makes me want to dance. I can smell the food and taste the beer and feel the roots of the music when I listen to the CD. I consider it a good sampler of Cajun/Louisiana type music.

CONTAGIOUSLY ENCHANTING!! THE BIG EASY WAS THE FIRST TIME I HEARD THIS FRENCH/SOUTHERN MUSIC. IT'S CHARMING!! THERE IS ONE SONG THAT IS MISSING THOUGH BUT ONLY A DIE HARD BIG EASY FAN WOULD NOTICE.AARRON NEVILLE SINGS THE HELL OUT OF "TELL IT LIKE IT IS "COLINDA" MAKES YOU WANT TO GET UP AND DANCE. I HAVE TO ADMIT DENNIS QUAID MAY BE WEAK BUT THE SONG IS SO EVOCATIVE OF THE MOVIE I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYONE ELSE SINGING IT.WORTH EVERY PENNY!!

Although I have an extensive collection of cajun/zydeco music (and am a big fan of Beausoleil, Buckwheat Zydeco, Clifton Chenier, the Nevilles, etc), this remains my favorite album in this genre. Covers all the bases, gets you hopping (makes my 4 mo. old niece happy when she's cranky), and evokes my favorite hot, steamy scene from any recent movie. Can't ask for more. Great intro to great music.

This soundtrack, along with the Big Chill and American Grafitti soundtracks, sets the standard for what makes up a great movie soundtrack: mood, regional flavor, and just plain fun to listen to. This soundtrack is all that and more. Contrary to what the music critic below believes, this sountrack is more than sound. It captures the fun and energy of New Orleans and bayou culture. It helps set the movie's mood, it invites the listener into a world that may seem foreign, and it's the perfect Friday afternoon in your car, great weekend ahead cd for your rotation.

this soundtrack is way before its time.the music is priceless and the artists contributing are great.the nevelle brothers song is a great piece by itself.if your going to start a zydeco collection,this is the one to start with.

The Big Easy soundtrack is a wonderful collection of zydeco, blues, and soul. It gets you on your feet and it also touches your soul. This is some righteous music! Peace!

One of the few soundtrack CDs that actually gives you a music education - this soundtrack gives you a great intro to New Orleans style music. Even if you're not a fan of this type of music, give this CD a try. I had a so-so reaction when it was handed to me years ago; now it gets regular play in my CD player. Far better than the usual rehash of tired, unimaginative oldies compilations put together for most movies.

the keyword here is single disc. the whole album clocks in just under 47 minutes. don't know why, but back then the standard running time for a cd is about 45 minutes, so that's at least 20 some odd minutes worth of music they could have put into this cd. of course, at additional right fee. perhaps that was why we couldn't tap into the music of new orleans a little deeper.

that being said, this is a great compilation for beginners. the music of new orleans is an acquired taste that you may never get used to. no matter how much japanese people likes toro, the fatty belly section of tuna, if you don't like sushi, then you will never know. once you get a hang of sushi, you will get to love toro. once you start to liking the new orleans music, you will never get enough.

although new orleans is heavily influenced by the french, but they don't have this type of music over in france, so we can almost say that this is one of the most under recognized original american music. few people knows any new orleans songs outside of tell it like it is and iko iko, and frankly speaking tell it like it is really doesn't sound new orleans to me. it is about as new orleans as toto's africa is to africa. if nothing else, getting this disc to hear the music from the big easy is both fun and educational .

one single disc cannot do new orleans justice, so there is a 4 disc boxset: doctors, professors, kings & queens - the big ol' box of new orleans, also available here at amazon. that set, as comprehensive as it is, does not sound as good as this disc in terms of fidelity. there are only four songs from this cd that appeared on the boxset, but none of them are the same version as the ones appeared in the other title. if you get both you won't feel cheated.