Customer Reviews

School Daze (1988 Film) [SOUNDTRACK]

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I composed the songs BE ALONE TONIGHT and WE'VE ALREADY SAID GOODBYE that were featured on the School Daze soundtrack and film. It is nice to see that the music has found its audience. As a writer and musician its the ultimate compliment.

BE ALONE TONIGHT was written for a band project I was trying to do with Dolette McDonald (Sting, Laurie Anderson etc.). I had envisioned it as a throw back to girl groups of the sixties. My concept for our planned video was for Dolette to be singing on a show like SHINDIG (a 60's dance show) looking like a Ross/Reeves/Ronnie Spector styled singer. She would be singing into the camera but actually singing (while holding back tears) to a Berry Gordy type character (her love interest) who was behind the camera. I had envisioned it as a sad/defiant type of love song. After my group broke up, I played it for Spike when he visited LA in '85 and he loved it. Before I knew it, I was in Atlanta recording the vocals with Tisha, Jasmine, Paula and Michelle (but not before torturing drummer Steve Ferrone with the drum overdubs at Sunset Sound in LA). While I was listening to a playback of the track at Sunset Sound, who walked in but BOB DYLAN bopping his head in approval. I thought hey, I might have something here!!!

We've Already Said Goodbye was based on a relationship breakup I was going through at the time. Pieces of a Dream did the track in NYC. They were curt and professional. Ain't seen 'em since.

We recorded the strings with arranger Clare Fischer who was doing a lot of things with Prince at the time. I was a fan of his work from the Rufus days so I was glad he obliged. Saxaphonist Branford Marsalis takes off for flight on that song and even quotes Stravinsky's Rite of Spring near the end.

At the end of the song Portia Griffin tells us to "turn that sukka off" because we were at the end of the song and she didn't feel she had anything else to sing (after she got all up in that mofo) and we had kept the tape running just in case she had anything else brilliant to add to the performance. She did. It just wasnt sung. And being young and cocky, I decided to keep it as the end.

I'm glad y'all have enjoyed that music over the years as it was great fun to create!

Words can not express how I feel!!! This album reminds of my days at Morehouse College sitting in the Math Building looking out the window hearing the music of this slamming Soundtrack Blasting through the walls and windows of the Dormitory. I have done so much and gone so far to find this CD. I have even had the fortune of speaking with Spike Lee's Grandmother(who was one of my clients), in order to obtain a copy of this CD. When it originally came out I didn't have a CD player (a poor college student) so I purchased it on Cassette. As we all know after time cassettes will wear out as this one has done, so I began my search and for some reason NO RECORD store carried this CD - I was even told that it was not made on CD. I even called Spike's Store in NY, to no avial. Starting out with Morehouse's Fabulous Glee Club w/Tracy Coley (who you have probably seen on the Martin Lawrence Show - Big Guy when Martin and the Gang tried to open a Restaurant) all the way up to the Pieces of A Dream cut. Thank you Amazon.Com, you have a customer for life. Whatever you do purchase this CD, not one but get two. Who knows what might happen to one of your copies. This brings back all memories; Good and Bad of Morehouse College Life. All HBCU's alums will understand. As some of the shirts used to say back in the day - "It's a Black Thing You Wouldn't Understand." But seriously regardless of sex, age, race or religion I highly suggest this Soundtrack to all. I'm glad I've got it. I think I'll take the CD with me to Morehouse's Homecoming. Since the team will lose this will be the only shinning moment!!!! Peace! Thanks Spike Sr., Spike Jr. and Amazon.Com

Words alone are not adequate enough to accurately describe the emotion evoked by this soundtrack. You have to HEAR this masterpiece to truly understand. From the deep spiritual melody of "I'm Building Me a Home" to the fast-paced Swing sound of "Straight and Nappy" (and every thing in between) this album has something to appeal to many aspects of the soul. It is the ONLY soundtrack that I know of that actually inspires me to throw my copy of the movie in the VCR and catch another look-see. Similar to another reviewer, I had purchased an original cassette copy of this album back in 1988, lent it to a friend, and was never able to retrieve it again (my friend may have been inconsiderate, but not a fool). I've looked high and low, in mainstream retailers as well as underground CD resellers, and was never able to find this gem. Lo and behold, here comes Amazon.com to save the day. I don't care what anyone says - you all are WORTH every penny of your 'inflated' stock valuation!! :)

I too had searched high and low for this CD. I fell in love with the soundtrack my freshman year (1991) at Langston University (only HBCU in Oklahoma) and have been hooked ever since. Someone had dubbed it for me on cassette but as things go, it was misplaced (probably taken), I got another copy (on tape) a few years later and wore it out. I then began my search. I belonged to CD clubs, but couldn't find it. Finally tried Amazon and got the CD and the movie! Yippee!

All I can say is that this is one of my all time favorite CDs (and I don't have many). From beginning to end, it is good music. A great soundtrack to go along with a great film. School Daze was the number one reason I decided to attend a black college and I am so glad I made that decision. There is nothing like the Black College experience and Spike Lee captured it so well.

There are only a few songs that can bring back vivid memories for me and "Perfect Match" is one of them. That described my freshman year romance to a "T". Still gives me good feelings. "Be One" is the song that also sticks out to me as exceptional. This was Phyllis at her best! My favorite part is the ending line:

"so be one....be a fool...go ahead and fall in....love".

You need this CD! Don't delay! Buy it today! While you are at it get the movie! Also, don't sleep on Mo' Better Blues (both the movie and soundtrack) Denzel at his sexiest!! "Mo' Better makes it Mo' Better"!

Words don't even begin to express the emotions I am feeling at this very moment! I have been looking for this CD for years. I have been looking for so long that when I first started I was asking retailers if they carried it on cassette. I loved the songs so much I would have cherished the album had it been an 8-track I found in the gutter! This is the definitive soundtrack right here. There are very few soundtracks(i.e.-Waiting to Exhale and Love and Basketball) that actually go hand in hand with the movie, relying on each other to tell the story. This one does it so well that if you had never seen the movie prior to hearing those lush harmonies you'd rush right out to the video store to rent it(save yourself the trouble and just buy it...That movie is just too MANY things! ) I was down in the dumps, thinking I would never find this cd. I am telling you I thought that I was going to have to find Spike Lee and have him dub me a copy or something. I mean, I was at wit's end! Well, lo and behold, Amazon.com is coming correct, finally putting an end to my long search! Though the journey was long, it was worth the wait! Thanks Amazon.com!

It has taken me over three years to find this CD and it was worth every day. I searched and longed for the inner ear satisfaction that I received when I open the jewel case. The movie was monumental as far as cinema to capture the the love and turmoil studying at an HBCU (Historical black college and University- Fisk University representing). From EU-Da butt to the sleeper of the CD which is the late Phyllis Hyman's-Be one. If you have this CD, share it with friends, but guard it with your life.

I emphathize with the other reviews. I've been waiting forever for this to hit CD again. And to think the BeeGees "Sgt. Pepper" and the Soundtrack to "The Wiz" were reissued first. I'm not black, and I didn't finish college, but I loved the movie. Above all, I loooove "Be Alone Tonight" with Tisha Campbell. I can't wait to hear this classic on CD!

This soundtrack is one of the best art forms assembled for a soundtrack. I have been looking for this CD for years after it was stolen and it is a dream come true to finally find it. "School Daze" holds a special place with me because it was out just as I was entering Grambling St. in 1988. From the fellas chillin' in the dorms, the football games, the beautiful sisters and seeing my brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha, the music and the movie typified Black College Life in a way that only Spike Lee could interpret. My favorite songs from this masterpiece are Perfect Match, I'm Building Me a Home and Be One by the late great Phyllis Hyman. If you are a true music lover and if you would like to think fondly of your collegiate years, you must get this soundtrack. In addition, pick up Mo' Betta Blues. It's just as tight. You will not be disappointed in these collectors items.

This album is awesome. It has a great song on it by the late Phyllis Hymen, and a great opening song from an all-male acapella choir. I have been looking for this CD since 1994 when a friend of mine gradauted from college with me and stole it! This is THE best moive soundtrack Spike Lee has ever complied (Mo' Better Blues and Do The Right Thing run a close second.)If you like jazz, blues, and R&B, and if you loved the movie, buy this Soundtrack.

Want a reminder of just how seductive, potent and powerful the late, great Phyllis Hyman can be? How about the stunning spoken-word chillingly funky stylings of Tech and The Effects? Or you could delve into the flawless funk/soul of Pieces Of A Dream, either way, the soundtrack to Spike Lee's overlong, overblown and still powerful dramedy about Black Greek Life at the ficticious Mission College over Homecoming Weekend will do the trick. While the film itself has not aged that well (it's simply too '80's' for it's own good) the music is timeless and the aforementioned triumvirate contribute the best cuts; the gorgeous and seductive "Be One" (makes me miss her all the more), "Perfect Match", a great, glacial early techno-funk workout and "We've Already Said Goodbye", the wistful closer to both the film and the album. The rest of the album is notable for the big (albeit very silly) radio hit "Da' Butt" and a stunning opener "I'm Building Me A Home" featuring the powerful Tracey Colley. This is truly 'black' music and while it may not have a lot of commercial, crossover appeal (ie; whitebread audiences) it stands as a pefect, encapsulated moment in time.