The Muse: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Soundtrack]

Elton John | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 30, 2011)
• Original Release Date: August 24, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Geffen
• ASIN: B00000K1FQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #143,498 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Driving Home

2. Driving to Jack's

3. Walk of Shame

4. Better Have a Gift

5. The Wrong Gift

6. The Aquarium

7. Are We Laughing

8. Take a Walk With Me

9. What Should I Do?

10. Back to the Aquarium

11. Steven Redecorates

12. To the Guesthouse

13. The Cookie Factory

14. Multiple Pesonality

15. Sarah Escapes

16. Back to Paramount

17. Meet Christine

18. The Muse

19. The Muse [Remix]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It would be easy to dismiss Elton John's soundtrack skills: among his early '70s score for Friends, a sprinkling of movie songs, and his contributions to The Lion King, he hasn't had much of a big-screen presence. But his score for Albert Brooks's The Muse is a nice surprise from the artist; here, he seems more indebted to Hans Zimmer than pop radio. Filled with peppy orchestrations and delicate string arrangements, his soundtrack sounds both romantic and playful. Piano occasionally pops up, and one track ("Meet Christine") even benefits from a very angelic chorus. The one disappointment here is the title track, which features John working with longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin. Ironically enough, the bland vocals are all about artistic creativity. But thankfully, a throbbing bass version of the same tune--courtesy of Jermaine Dupri's remix--lets the soundtrack end on a lively note. Weighing in at only about 35 minutes, John's soundtrack for The Muse is far from epic, but it offers a rare chance to hear yet another facet to the pop superstar's talents. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Beautiful!, January 11, 2000

By 

Elizabeth Rosenthal - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Muse: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Audio CD)

The soundtrack may only be 35 minutes long, but it takes the listener on a fulfilling journey, through pain, laughter, disappointment and exhilaration. Elton's melodies are strong, as always. Among the instrumental pieces, "Multiple Personality" is the special stand-out, sporting an infectiousness not unlike "Bennie and the Jets." The title track is an inspiring, upbeat ballad that shows off Elton's increasingly soulful voice. The album is one of Elton's best-kept secrets and deserves to be discovered by as many people as possible!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mellow Instrumentals from Pop Master Elton John, December 12, 2006

By 

Lonnie E. Holder "The Review's the Thing" (Columbus, Indiana, United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Muse: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Audio CD)

Though I rate this album as 3 stars, the album is a worthy addition to the collection of fans of Elton John or the fans of movie soundtracks. Elton provides a series of very serviceable tracks that provide good background music for a variety of purposes. The only reason I rate the album 3 stars is because this music is rather uninspired on average in comparison to Elton's past music. I may also be influenced by the brevity of this CD, which is all of 36 minutes and 9 seconds.

I admit that I could listen to music like this all day long and be rather satisfied, but this music falls well short of the sophistication and execution of music such as "Funeral for a Friend" from "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Carla/Etude/Fanfare" from "The Fox." The one song on this CD, "The Muse," is provided in two mixes. I personally prefer the first mix over the second (as opposed to some reviewers who preferred the opposite), but both are quite nice and are above average when compared to the songs that Elton has released in recent years. Note that the second version adds more instrumental power and a stronger beat, which is likely why I prefer it less and others prefer it more.

Though the CD is very short, there are 20 total tracks on the CD. Thus, many of these tracks are very short. There are 13 tracks that clock in at 2 minutes or less. On the positive side, the tracks are so short that they often leave you wanting more. I could easily see how some of these tracks could have been expanded to three or four times their length on this CD.

All of the tracks on this CD provide a soothing listening experience, but there are several that stand out. I particularly enjoyed "Better Have a Gift," which has a middle portion and an end portion that are delicate and pretty. "Are We Laughing" sounds more akin to Tchaikovsky than Elton John, but similarities aside, this track is also pretty and too short. "Take a Walk with Me" is another delicate, almost ethereal track that could have taken much longer to finish. Another track I enjoy a lot is "Sarah Escapes," which, once again, is just too short. "Meet Christine" is an interesting track because it adds a soaring chorus that fires up the end of the instrumentals.

I have most of Elton John's music, which is part of the reason I purchased this CD. I had never heard this music before. However, I am glad I purchased this CD. The instrumentals are pleasant and worth multiple listens, particularly if you like instrumentals. While this CD falls short of Elton's greatest music, it is enjoyable and worth having in your collection.

Enjoy!

5.0 out of 5 stars I remembered the Music in this film for a long time..., November 23, 2011

By 

mpope - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Muse (In Goddess We Trust) (MP3 Download)

After watching the film "The Muse" one afternoon, I came on Amazon to find Elton John's sweet song at the end of the film. Little did I realize, he wrote ALL the music. It makes me smile because all the music is excellent.
Especially the delightful Aquarium parts. He has always been one of my favorites. If you watch the film, which is
equally good, you will find yourself humming parts of this soundtrack....so now I am happily buying the album, and
instead of really reviewing it, I am just grateful I found these tunes again to enjoy. Thanks, Elton!!