Customer Reviews

The Sopranos - Peppers and Eggs: Music From The HBO Series

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One of the many things that makes The Sopranos the best shows on television is the great use of music to conveys themes of the show. The music styles run the gamut from opera to hip hop and in some cases act like a Greek chorus. Despite the inclusion of the Police's mega hit "Every Breath You Take", most of the songs are either by obscure artists or use lesser known songs by big acts. Examples include The Rolling Stones' "Thru & Thru", Elvis Costello & The attractions' "Hi Fidelity", Otis Redding's "My Lover's Prayer", The Kinks' "Living On A Thin Line & Nils Lofgren's "Black Books". Dominic Chianese (Uncle Junior) even shows up with a song you get a nice bonus of dialogue from the show. Peppers & Eggs does what a good soundtrack should do, include good music and conveys a sense of the show's spirit.

A CD that Anthony Soprano himself would "pop" into his player. It's a perfect fusion of all different types of music; Italian opera to jazz to the best of rock and roll; listening to it is a continual suprise. I struggled to find a song on it I didn't like. Starting off strong with the brilliant "Peter Gunn/Every Breath you Take" mix, this CD covers such a gamut of music, you'd wonder how it works. But it does, and brilliantly. Fan or no fan of the Sopranos, you won't go wrong purchasing this CD for your collection.

This HBO classic series,is unique in modern television,it is interesting,unique,professional and damn adult entertainment.The music that either accompanys the dialogue or sets the scenes or plays as the Jersey soap opera unfolds,is as intricate to the story and the success of this series as an additional major character.This selection will have to appreciating the music for itself and evoking memories of scenes in the series. The Sopranos is simply the best series going around and this music is a masterstroke in selection.I am personally pleased to see the Rolling Stones mixing it with the Chairman of the Board(a nice touch in the context of Sinartra and his connections)and Casey Chambers alongside Vivaldi.Elvis Costello and the Attractions with Nils Lofgren,and then there is Keith, Nils hero there with Ottis Redding..talk about rock n roll heaven!!!!!Who could possibly not be impressed with this collection. It is pleasing to hear a soundtrack that actually enhances the enjoyment of the project rather than feels like it has been slapped together and forced into the format.But what would you expect from a producers and the talent involved with this whole project.I have experienced two great soundtracks in quick succession,and the other I refer to is that of the recently released *Moulin Rouge* movie,the subject of another review but equally as evocative and exciting.The Sopranos have a particular feel that to be successful,must have a series of songs that compliment the drama the quirkiness and the good fellas humour..it is here in trumps!!! You would do worse than to buy this soundtrack and savour the magic and then link it to the series..not a weak track on this collection,and a mixture of talent that makes it a rewarding experience.I highly recommend it!!!..4.5 to 5 stars...get it,the producers are making you an offer you cant refuse.

I am an absolute Sopranos addict. I need this show on Sunday like I need a cigarette in the morning. So naturally, I rushed to pick up the latest Sopranos soundtrack, and I could not be more pleased. Every song on this album fits perfectly with the mood of the series. I listened to the first track, the amazing mix of "Every Breath You Take" and "The theme from Peter Gunn" from the first episode of the first season, in my car on the way to work this morning, and I was constantly checking my rear view mirror for the Feds.

The show's music has always been a vital part of the series (just try imagining a typical orchestral soundtrack playing next time you watch) and Peppers and Eggs is a necessity for every Sopranos fan.

While this more encompassing CD than that of the first season is good, something is still missing. Andrea Bocelli's "Con Te Partiro" (english title is "Time to Say Goodbye")is used extensively throughout the "Commendatori" episode and is even referenced by the characters. This emotional song would have made an excellent addition to this CD. Too bad it was left out.

What a great lineup of some very obscure material! I'm not sure who the music editors of the Sopranos are but I think they really know how to the set the mood of the show. From now on, whenever I hear "Thru and Thru" by the Rolling Stones, I will always remember the final scenes of the last episode of Season 2, with James Gandolfini's Tony Soprano proudly smoking his stogie. And from now on, whenever I hear the remix of "Every Breath You Take/Peter Gunn", I will think of the FBI trying to plant a wire in the Sopranos home. That's why this soundtrack and the first Sopranos soundtrack are both brilliant collections of music.

Like the original Sopranos soundtrack, this second volume brings diverse and interesting music together to create a compelling double cd set. While the music on this record obviously works to support the drama of the show, it stands alone as music. For my vote for the best track on the soundtrack: the Campbell Brothers with Katie Jackson's I've Got a Feeling (off of their fantastic Arhoolie record Pass Me Not (any of the Arhoolie Sacred Steel series are worth checking out, though)), but the Cecilia Bartoli track is a good second. Taken as a whole, this collection shows what is so great about America's culture: Blues, Italian art music, steel-guitar driven down home Gospel, proto-punk, jazz, all can exist side by side, and, far from clashing, can compliment each other to create a rich sonic landscape.

The new Sopranos soundtrack has a little bit of everything for everyone with all the different music that helps make the show one of the greatest on T.V. It is this diversity that is it's strength. While all the music is done by different artists it still maintains it's underlying theme of moodiness, grit and blues. Stand outs by the Stone's and Sinatra really set the tone. I found myself enjoying not only songs by artists I had never heard before but also in a language I wasn't familiar with. I still feel that the first soundtrack was better and more cohesive but this is a worthy successor.

This is a nice cross-section of music used on the ``The Sopranos.'' But I'm a little surprised that A3, or Alabama 3, which wrote the title song ``Woke Up This Morning,'' is not represented on the new set with the stirring ``Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlife,'' which was thought well enough to kick off one of the opening scene of Season 3's first episode. And with two discs, too bad it didn't include Johnny Thunders' ``You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory,'' which was used to close a memorable Season 2 episode. Or how about Les Paul's ``I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles.'' A lot of stuff that caught my fancy simply isn't here.

Of course there were selections I wanted to hear that weren't on it, but still a very good collection. No "When this battle is over, who will wear the crown?" (I wish I knew the artist), and some others. Very worthwhile. Late-breaking news flash: "When this battle is over..." can be found on an old album (still available) "Delaney and Bonnie and Friends". It's from the 60's. I believe Delaney and Bonnie were mostly backup singers who were very well-liked by many musical notables of the period, hence their friends helped them with this album.