Customer Reviews

Philadelphia: Music From The Motion Picture

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm *not* a big soundtrack fan, but this one seems to work better than most others. Having the likes of the Boss and Neil Young contribute to it certainly doesn't hurt, and Peter Gabriel's "Lovetown" is another great addition.

But what really stands out on this disc in my mind is not the award-winning composition by Bruce, but the hauntingly beautiful ballad from Neil. Being a Neil completist, I've heard them all, and this one is easily in his top five most beautiful songs to my ears, maybe even number one. There's something painfully honest and heartfelt in the way Neil sings, and his mournful piano tugs at your heart and begs your attention.

When he was asked to contribute to the soundtrack, the producers requested something in the vein of "Southern Man," his incendiary guitar rocker decrying the racism of the South at the close of the 1960's. In typical Neil fashion, he turned around and delivered them an aching piano ballad instead, and he hit it out of the park. Tom Hanks said it best during the awards ceremony, that with all due respect for Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia," the wrong song won. Neil's track really captures what this film is all about.

Controversy aside, what it means for you is that you get an even stronger album here. Those two songs alone are essential, and with the addition of Peter Gabriel and the accompanying songs from lesser-known temporary artists from other genres which do little more than provide filler (although it's good filler), you can't really go wrong by this CD.

I'd also recommend fans of Neil's performance check out his "Silver & Gold" DVD, culled from his solo acoustic tour in '99. That disc features a lot of Neil's newer material, but he also revisits "Philadelphia" for the first time on stage. Sitting alone at the piano, his cracked tenor can bring you to tears.

This soundtrack comes with an eclectic collection of timeless songs. "Philadelphia" and "Streets of Philadelphia" draw you with their haunting and sobering sound. If you have seen the film, "La Mamma Morta" will bring tears to your eyes, but if you haven't seen it yet, then it will haunt you with Callas' incredible vocals.

This is an all-mood album of promise and love. The booklet insert that comes with the CD has some nice pictures from the movie and no lyrics. Add this CD to your collection if you like music that touches your soul and heart.

I've read the other reviews and I pretty much agree with them. But, I'm a little surprised that no one has mentioned Neil Young's contribution: Philadelphia. It's a beautiful song, and it adds an emotional wallop to the end of the film. You hear it as we watch home movies of Hanks' character as a child, just before the end credits roll. The combination of images and music is quite stirring, for me at least. It's an encouragement to look deeper into the humanity of people, to see who they really are and the gifts that they bring to life, no matter what their sexual preference happens to be.

Over 80% good music; the haunting "Philadelphia", the Indigo Girls ("I don't wanna talk about it"), Bruce Springsteen's thumping "Streets"--I could listen to these tracks for a whole evening or sing along in the shower, especially Callas' operatic moment!

Whilst the opening track and probably best known song from the movie is Springsteens Streets of Philadelphia, without doubt the classic track on the album is Neil Young's, Philadelphia. This is Young at his haunting best. Chuck in some good stuff from Indigo Girls, and some good covers, makes one of the better soundtracks around. Good listening.

The Oscar winning song "Streets of Philadelphia" is the high light of this movies soundtrack. From remakes of classic rock songs (Have you ever seen the rain?) to opera music, make the cd an interesting combination of music. Peter Gabriel sounds familiar, While "The Mamma Morta" is a classical opera song. The song "Philadelphia" which was also nominated to an Oscar puts in the melodramatic part into the album, but it sounds fine. If you are into rock, up beat music and opera, this cd is well worth the money.

Just listen to "Philadelphia" by Neil Young. A sad reflective masterpiece.Still cry when I listen to it.

The soundtrack of Philadelphia is excellent with multiple tracks that are worthy of purchasing the album. I personally enjoy Neil Young's "Philadelphia" which I believe is one of his best songs and should have won the Oscar for Best Song. I definitely recommend adding the album to your collection.

This soundtrack had only one major flaw. Two of the best, most moving songs of the movie were left out entirely. "All The Way", sung by Gary Goetzman, "It's In Your Eyes", sung by Paulette Washington, and in my opinion, especially "Heaven" as performed by Q Lazzarus.

If they had wished to make a soundtrack, they should have included ALL the songs in their entirety on the soundtrack.

This soundtrack had only one major flaw. Two of the best, most moving songs of the movie were left out entirely. "All The Way", sung by Gary Goetzman, "It's In Your Eyes", sung by Paulette Washington, and in my opinion, especially "Heaven" as performed by Q Lazzarus.

If they had wished to make a soundtrack, they should have included ALL the songs in their entirety on the soundtrack.