Customer Reviews

Phantom Of The Paradise: Original Soundtrack Recording

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
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Man, it seems like yesterday when Phantom of the Paradise was in the theaters (which was the mid 70s, which makes me mid-aged), and I, who thought my musical tastes were too cool, resisted the catchy, edgy, and campy tunes penned by Paul Williams. Yes, the Paul Williams who I thought was square and passe, who I associated with scribbling lyrics covered by The Carpenters, the same Paul Williams I saw on episodes of "The Odd Couple" and "The Muppet Show."

Irresistible, though. This soundtrack and its movie was my wake up call that Paul Williams is just plain cool. No way around it. I heard his previously silly lyrics about "chasing rainbows" and "white lace" and... to think he can shift from easy listening to songs a bit edgy for the mid 70s put him forever on my "Hip List."

In the vein of Hair and Rocky Horror, this soundtrack has melodic and offbeat storytelling from beginning to end, from 50s style rock (Good Eddie Goodbye) to acoustic numbers (both versions of "Faust") to sinister neo-rock that was way ahead of its time (Somebody Super Like You/Life At Last). Like Rocky Horror, this soundtrack is not merely good camp, it is an amazing display of great music.

To say the lyrics wildly contrast tunes like "We've Only Just Begun" is an understatement: "Never knew his father/Mother didn't bother/ to catch his last name/fast as he came" and "All my tears are lost/and I can't sleep/and sleep alone would ease my mind/all my tears have dried/ and I can't weep." The samplings don't do justice without the music, but trust me on this one!

"Phantom of the Paradise" is definitely on the cult-classic list, but I hate to see the music fade into forgotten cult-classic history. An array of Rocky Horror soundtracks have stood the test of time, which is our treat. The Phantom's soundtrack, along with the flick, are not nearly as prominent, which is many music lovers' loss. Go out of your way to pick up this CD, it's a classic!

I saw this movie many times on cable when I was 11 years old. I was totally mesmerized by this film. This was back in the "early" days of cable when they would show only 5 movies a month over and over again. When the month was over, that's the last time I saw the movie or heard the music. Now, after 30 years, I still find myself singing/humming some of this music. It just dawned on me 3 weeks ago that I might be able to buy the CD, though, I really felt it would be like looking for a "needle" in a haystack. I was thrilled when I found it on AMAZON for a very affordable price. Naturally, I ordered it right away. Well, it arrived on yesterday and the music was just as I remembered it, I even knew all the words! Wow, it's just like I saw the movie yesterday. Of course, I've grown "emotionally" a lot in 30 years. My love for music only intensifies every day. I own probably close to 1000 CD's. With all this added knowledge of music, I can really recognize how "Phantom of the Paradise" was truly a musical work of art......now one of my "best" CD's. Thank God for the internet so all these music obessions can be fulfilled.

Whilst the theme of the film 'Phantom Of The Paradise' is one which is well tested (selling your soul to the devil in exchange for something that you always wanted), each Paul Williams song on the soundtrack cleverly uses different styles of music to say something different about the music industry. It starts with a rock song 'Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye', a song full of satirical comment on the rock industry. It's about a rock singer who sacrifices his life in order to sell his records to raise money for a life saving operation for his sister. (Oh such devotion!!) After introducing our hero (Bill Finley) with the ballad 'Faust', which introduces the main theme of the film, we rock again with 'Upholstery' (reminiscent of the late 'Phil Spector' sound) about our worship of inanimate objects as status symbols. Our heroine (Jessica Harper) then takes the scene with a ballad ('Special For Me - Phoenix Audition Song) about the dangers of working yourself into the ground to fulfil a dream. After 'baddie' Swan (played by Paul Williams himself) reflects on the battle between good and evil ('Phantom's Theme - Beauty and the Beast') which takes place within all of us, we then rock again ('Somebody Super Like You - Beef Construction Song') as we go in search of the perfect hero, with a "Hollywood smile and a perfect profile", to help make our life a 'ball'. Then the devil takes the scene ('Life At Last') constantly craving to be fed and satisfied by it's makers (us). Our heroine then returns ('Old Souls') with a beautiful ballad, presenting the case for love as the answer to all our fears. After returning with back a repeat of the theme of the film ('Faust'), but this time with 'Swan' reflecting on the striving for perfection at any cost, the piece ends with a 'knees-up', ('The Hell Of It') a homage to the results of living a life full of evil. Let that be a lesson to you. Throughout Paul Williams skilfully uses the music to augment the visual images. It is a great reflection on the talents and versatility's of the man who in latter years would turn his talents to music for such dark rock films as 'Bugsy Malone' and 'The Muppet Movie'. If you want to find out more about this great man look up the 'Paul Williams Music And Acting Page' which is a member of the 'Amazon.com Associates Program'.

Paul Williams, the co-creator of pop standards for groups like Three Dog Night and most notably The Carpenters back in the Seventies, completely bucked all expectations when he crafted this smart and snarky song score for director Brian de Palma's under-appreciated cult hit. A series of songs that cannily recreates several dominant genres of pop while wickedly parodying them at the same time, the music was a key component in advancing the plot of this visually unique horror/black comedy/musical.

Highlights: "Somebody Super Like You," "The Hell Of It," "Old Souls" and "Special To Me."

The only thing better than listening to the soundtrack? Watching the movie. In fact, if you are a lover of cult films or all things Seventies, grab them both!!!

Guess What?! This movie was a flop when it came out, yet read through the reviews and hear how strongly people feel about this one. In my hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada)it strangely enough took off like crazy and played 62 straight weeks in the local theatre back in 1974. It was my first movie that I went to by myself and was the first LP I owned (a proud 12 year old). It gets a bit stranger...this weekend in Winnipeg, both Beef and the Phantom will be visiting for "Phantompalooza" a celebration of the movie and the music!!! (website "phantompalooza.ca"). Buy the CD!! It is catchy and timeless and my 10 and 12 year old are gonna love it (I just bought the DVD -thanks Amazon)

As with others that have reviewed "PHANTOM" I was 15 when the Movie was released in 1974. I can not count the number of times I have watched this movie for the incredible, timeless music. I went from owning the album, to the tape, and now to the CD. From the "campy" UPHOLTERY to the most beautiful ballad, OLD SOULS the music makes you smile, laugh and cry.. It is a must for anyone who loves the writings of Paul Williams!

Smart, funny, polished -- "He Sold His Soul For Rock And Roll" was the headline on the posters when the movie came out October 1, 1974. It made a great double-feature with "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" back in the day. The music matched the wit of the movie dialogue, and Paul Williams HIMSELF as the Faustian rock star/producer deserved a solid gold Academy Award. POTP is STILL a very entertaining movie! The songs are brilliant. You cannot go wrong with this CD! BUY IT NOW WHILE IT'S STILL AVAILABLE!!!!

We'll remember you for-e-v-e-r, Eddie -- through the sacrifice you made, we can't believe the price you paid -- for LOVE... and off the movie goes at top speed. GREAT STUFF!!!

I feel that Paul Williams was at his best when he wrote the music and songs for this movie. As a youngster, the movie just put me in awe, primarily because of the music. The ballads are heartrending, the rock is enjoyable, (the soundtrack even includes the sounds of Beef "frying" onstage...one of the funniest parts of the movie) and the Phantom's Theme is unforgettable. This is a must have CD.

The first time I ever saw this film was when it came out in 1974, I was eight years old. My first reaction was WOW! It blew me away. I never saw a movie like this before and the music just added to the intensity. Then several years later I just happened to find it on record. Recently I was wondering if it was out on CD. After looking from store to store I couldn't find it anywhere. Then it dawned on me to try to look for it on the internet. Wouldn't you know it, I just found it. Leave it to amazon.com to have it. This place has eveything.I can even say that this is my favorite cult film with a soundtrack that rocks. This is a must buy for people who like things that are weird.

In a time where music with lyrics makes my ears bleed, this is one thing I can tolerate. Totally rocks.