Customer Reviews

The Cotton Club: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The soundtrack to the troubled 1984 movie is interesting because of the recreations of Jazz Age hits by Duke Ellington and company. However, only about half the music from the film made it onto the 45 minute soundtrack. Too bad because there are some real gems performed in the movie and the first-rate performances can only be experienced while watching them and not by listening to their entirety on the CD.

What a relief to hear so much of the instrumental music in the glorious score of "The Cotton Club" without the annoying cutoffs of the songs, and cutaways from the performers to the often-gory and sometimes-boring "story!" I own the Video of the film and have watched it many times, skipping from one musical number to another, feeling frustrated that I can't hear the MUSIC the way it was meant to be heard. I mean, those musicians were knocking themselves out to please the listeners and dancers and I thought the movie wasted their talents by putting them in the background so much of the time.

Like other reviewers here, I am mightily impressed by the faithfulness of the arrangements of songs created by some of the greats--Arlen and Ellington, in particular. The excellence of the music's realization truly comes through on the CD.

The vocal productions frequently do not match the high level of the instrumental work, but it is wonderful to hear all the lyrics of so many classics of the "Cotton Club" era. And, Gregory Hines's rendition of "Copper Colored Gal" is a special treat for those of us who love his singing even when we can't watch his dancing!

Overall, I'd say "The Cotton Club" Soundtrack CD is a welcome addition to any collection of original Elligton and Calloway tunes. I also think the CD can provide a terrific introduction of the music to anyone who hasn't been fortunate enough to discover it yet. I only wish the CD contained more of it.

Where else can you hear the earliest Ellington stuff recorded with today's recording technique? with today's best studio musicians nailing it? The band is hot, the music swings, big time, everyhing's right, musically, historically, and the recording technically. Too bad the CD version didn't get the rest of the soundtrack as bonus tracks. This is a wonderful musical experience, every time. My only reservation is its brevity. If you love the sound of early/1920s-1930s jazz, and enjoy listening to it in spite of the sad quality of recordings from that era, this modern version of Cotton Club Ellington is heaven. I wake up to it every morning.

The CD soundtrack from the movie The Cotton Club delivers quite a punch; with music by greats like Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen and Cab Calloway you just can't go wrong. This CD brings back memories of the film I watched a few months ago as well as the days when I used to sneak into my mother's closet, pull out her old 78s and listen to them on the record player all by myself. Only this time around the music sounds clearer than ever before thanks to digital remastering and clever musical arrangements by Bob Wilber, Sy Johnson, David Berger and Randy Sandke. Wonderful!

The CD track set opens with "The Mooche" by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills. The arrangement uses the horns to create a dramatic and haunting effect for this instrumental number. The temple blocks played by Chuck Riggs serve to highlight the beat of the number. "The Mooche" is followed by "Cotton Club Stomp #2;" this number moves much, much faster but the music by Duke Ellington makes it shine no matter what.

"Creole Love Call" features the haunting cries of Priscilla Baskerville; with the horns so well done you won't forget this number soon.

One of the most beautiful ballads on this CD is "Ill Wind" written by Ted Koehler and Harold Arlen. Lonette McKee sings "Ill Wind" with all her heart and might; and her voice imparts a sense of intimacy to the listener that I rarely experience. Lonette sings this to perfection!

"Minnie The Moocher" has that "vamp-like 1920s" beat from the 1920s and 1930s; Cab Calloway and Irving Mills weave a routine straw-like number into solid gold. Larry Marshall sings this song with panache and he also uses his voice to express the romantic experiences of "Minnie The Moocher." The chorus does a great job of backing Larry up as well. In addition, "Copper Colored Gal" is a lively, upbeat number that offers a great beat and an infectious melody--now why is this song so short? "Copper Colored Gal" works perfectly; and that's why I wish Benny Davis had added an extra verse to this number.

The album ends with "Daybreak Express Medley" with music by Duke Ellington once again. This bouncy, fast paced and dramatic number provides a musical flourish to mark the end of this album. And how it ends all too soon!

The liner notes give you the songs credits; and the art work includes stills from the motion picture as well.

Fans of great music from 1920s and 1930s America will thrill to this CD. Each and every musical number, instrumental or ballad, offers a fresh, crisp sound and beat that makes you want to beg for more. Duke Ellington fans will also enjoy this CD.

Francis Ford Coppola's $47 million crime drama was a failure at the box office, but it did produce this outstanding soundtrack from John Barry.

Barry - a former jazz artist turned movie scorer - captures the essence of the 1920s-1930s music scene in The Cotton Club through adapting standards from legends like Duke Ellington & Cab Calloway and using original songs.

Several of the song titles also capture the overt racism of the times. It must be remembered that The Cotton Club was a venue for blacks to perform, not to enter through the front door. The nightclub was designed for white patrons and - as the best, but not only, example - with it came all the degrading trappings for the female dancers and employees.

The soundtrack works so well because the songs are period pieces whose performances - and titles - are taken directly from the era. Unlike the movie, The Cotton Club: Original Movie Soundtrack actually does a great job in telling tales from the jazz age.

I love the music from this film. The only drawback is that Richard Gere's coronet solo of "Am I Blue?" isn't on it. I suspect this has something to do with royalties. If you liked the film, you'll enjoy this cd.

This cd is not only fun, it also brings to your stereo the roaring 20s without the hiss, scratch and pop. Pressings from the 20s and 30s are notoriously bad. If you like the Ink Spots, you know what I mean. This music is fresh, full of life and well executed. Although the movie was lame, the cd is not. Enjoy it when you need a little emotional pick me up...the music is so upbeat you'll soon find yourself tapping your toes and forgetting what troubles you.

Wonderful movie that is strengthened by a wonderful soundtrack that includes Cab Calaway. A true great jazz period piece.

this soundtrack was a staple when i took my first tap classes. then, it went out of issue for the longest time.

thank god someone brought it back!

the selections of ellington pieces are varied and dazzingly performed! the tempi are perfect for my needs as a tap teacher these days.

i am so happy to have it back in the studio as well as in my cd player when i want some hot pre-swing style jazz!

This is magnificant music, expecially Duke Ellington's rendition of Mood Indigo. Can't find that quality now.