Customer Reviews

Down By Law (1986 Film) / Variety (1985 Film) [2 on 1]

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John Lurie's memorable music for the wonderful film "Down By Law" (now a Criterion DVD release) is well worth seeking out. Both the film and the music are amazing, and seem to blend together seamlessly. My only complaint is that I wish the CD included some of the Tom Waits songs from his terrific "Rain Dogs" CD which are used in the film, otherwise the soundtrack is perfect and it's without a doubt one of Lurie's best releases.

Moody and haunting, the music evokes the alleyways and swamps of New Orleans perfectly. Get this and Tom's "Rain Dogs" CD for the full "Down By Law" experience. You won't be disappointed! Both CDs include some of the finest music made in the 1980s for one of the best American films ever made!

John Lurie, urban hipster and clueless visionary, recorded the music for this CD (featuring his brother - ? - Evan and subsequent Lounge Lizards drummer Dougie Bowne, among others) back before the Lounge Lizards had fully matured; the music is playful, the song titles, when not referring to the movie itself, demonstrate Lurie's crazy gift with words ("What do you know about music, you're not a lawyer;" "A Hundred Miles from Harry;" and "Nicoletta Can't Cook" -- my condolences to Roberto Benigni on that last point). However, it's NOT his most complex or rich soundtrack work. For that, you'll have to pick up AFRICAN SWIM/MANNY AND LO, or even FISHING WITH JOHN -- these show Lurie at the height of his powers. Still, there's a charm to this music; it's darker, moodier, and sleazier than Lurie's later output, particularly the material off the soundtrack to the REALLY BAD 80's attempt at feminist noir, VARIETY (which has to be the weakest project Kathy Acker ever was associated with; the music is the best thing about that film, so don't go hunting for the video of it -- it really just FAILS as a film). I'd recommend it, but perhaps, if you don't know Lurie, I'd buy the Lizards' QUEEN OF ALL EARS or NO PAIN FOR CAKES first, and come back to this later.

Love the film, hate the soundtrack....aside from the cover photo I wouldnt recommend this to any, but the most devoted John Lurie fans....its bleak and unredeeming...whether that was meant to be or not is irrelevant to me. The music Tom Waites brought to the film would have made this a more "enjoyable" experience. For that, buy "Rain Dogs", a great record which I own on vinyl.....Avoid this dreck!