The Commitments: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

Various Artists - Soundtracks - 1991

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 13, 1991)
• Original Release Date: August 13, 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000002OGL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,414 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Soundtracks > By Decade > 1990s

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Based on Irish writer Roddy Doyle's novel and lovingly directed with admirable restraint by the sometimes bombastic Alan Parker, this quirky 1991 tribute to the enduring and universal power of American R&B took some cynical criticism for its reliance on Baby Boomer-era classics such as "Mustang Sally," "Take Me to the River," and "In the Midnight Hour." But that sword cuts two ways: by casting a motley crew of real musicians, including the guts 'n' gravel-voiced young vocalist Andrew Strong, Parker didn't have to do much coaxing to reveal the obvious respect and affection his players have for this music. The material may not be fresh, but the love with which it's played is timeless. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific covers, December 8, 2000

By	G. Sawaged (Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I have to admit that I have never seen this movie, but I heard a couple of songs from it and just had to buy this album. I also had no idea until reading the rest of these reviews, that the lead singer Andrew Strong was only 16 when this was recorded. That blew me away. Amazing! The album may be full of covers of classic r&b and soul songs, but WOW, what fantastic covers they are. Just as good in many ways as the originals. I am not one for watching movies, I much prefer the auditory arts to the visual, but I think this is one film I will watch when I get the chance.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Andrew Strong is amazing, November 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Commitments, Vol. 2: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Plus 7 Great New Tracks (Audio CD)

Listening to this album one can't help but wonder how a sixteen-year-old can show such maturity of voice. Although he is the stand-out everyone in the band, including Robert Arkin, who played the manager in the movie, is wonderful. The idea that anyone can even try to cover an Otis Redding or Aretha song and have any success at all is hard to believe. The idea that anyone can sound this good doing it is almost impossible. This is a must have for any soul lover!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like the film, will make history, May 2, 2005

By	Timothy P. Scanlon (Hyattsville, MDUSA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"The Commitments" film is based on a Roddy Doyle novella, part of a three-part series on the fictional "Barrytown," in the North of Dublin.

I cannot say too much about the film. I already have it on VHS and recently got the collector's edition, with pieces on the "making of," and where they are since and all. It's a parable, a story to show, like, say, the New Testament for years to come.

As to the music, well, I envy Andrew Strong, who was a ripe 16 when the film was made. (The character in the book was weaker; Andrew tried out and they director couldn't resist his voice!)

Richard Arkins (Jimmy Rabbitte in the film) plays a slew of instruments, but was made the lead character, the band's manager in the film. He does some of the vocals on this CD.

Let's say, for the sake of the "discussion," that you didn't like the film. (How could you not?? No, I won't go there...) Even so, the music is so well done. The ladies' voices--supplemented by their showmanship in the film--border on erotic; Andrew's voice makes the rest of the CD worth it, but the intrumentation is worthwhile too.

Yeah, the soundtrack fits the film well. But if you just like good soul, good R&B, good performance, don't miss this one. (THEN get the film!)