Customer Reviews

Still Crazy

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not to gush - but - Still Crazy is my favorite movie! I waited for what seemed like FOREVER to receive this soundtrack, but it was more than worth the wait. As soon as I heard the opening notes of The Flame Still Burns I was just carried away with happiness. And I defy anyone not to want to jump around and dance crazily to All Over the World! I am SO in love with this movie and music! If you are even as marginally infatuated with Still Crazy as I am, this CD will put you in a wonderfully happy mood, make you wistful and, if you're like me, make you not want to ever stop listening to it. Gush, Gush, Gush...

Like many others on this review board, I rented the movie first expecting an ode to Spinal Tap (another good one). However, after just one viewing, it was quite apparent the film was so much more than Tap, and then some. After I found myself humming lyrics to "All Over The World", and "The Flame Still Burns", it was time to look for the soundtrack. I don't know what I had gotten myself into; the CD is currently playing as I type, and I've gone out to purchase the movie. If you liked the movie and the music, buy this soundtrack; you will not be disappointed.

The sountrack to Still Crazy is as woderful an experience as the film it comes from. Still Crazy has been nominated for best picture musical or comedy at the Golden Globe awards and also came away with a nomination for best original song for a motion picture. Rich with melody and powerful rythms, The music of Strange Fruit (the fictional band from the movie) comes alive in such a way as to make you believe they are as much a sensation as the film plays them to be. If your looking for a rocking, feel-good soundtrack go no further than Still Crazy.

As Spinal Tap fans, my wife and I rented this movie a week ago, expecting more of a spoof like Spinal Tap. While Still Crazy is a bit more "serious" (I use the term "serious" rather loosely), we fell in love with the movie and decided to get the soundtrack. We were not disappointed. A great mixture of blistering rock and wonderful ballads. The musicians are top-notch, the vocals are just about perfect. Most of the songs were written by ex-members of the Squeeze, the Clash and ELO, so the song-writing talent is there, too. This is really good music, not mock-rock songs like Spinal Tap.

So, when is Strange Fruit coming to town?

I discovered the movie, "Still Crazy" a year ago, and fell in love with it. Now I own the STILL CRAZY SOUNDTRACK, and this little jewel is just as entertaining as the film.

This CD brings back a flood of images from the movie, beginning with the first--and in my opinion, best--cut: "The Flame Still Burns." Some of my other favorites include "All Over The World" and "A Woman Like That." And I can't help but laugh out loud when I listen to "Scream Freedom" as I think about Bill Nighy's futile and hilarious attempt in the movie to create "shock rock."

Bill Nighy and Jimmy Nail are incredibly gifted vocalists as well as actors. Steve Donnelly is superb on the guitar; his rifts are clean, clear, and crisp. Kudos to Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley for producing this phenomenal CD. Now let's just round up Strange Fruit and send them on tour!
--D. Mikels

This is a great movie to watch over and over again. One reason is the characters. Being an American I was not familiar with the Brittish acters, but they were great in this film. Another reason is the music. I have been a fan of classic rock all my life, and with this sound track there is new classic rock to listen to.

Although not as widely available here in the US as Europe, I was very pleased to get hold of this soundtrack after seeing the movie. Having seen (and reviewed) the movie adds an extra enjoyment to the CD, but it is actually a pretty good stand alone album otherwise. If you don't know the movie - Strange Fruit are an allegorical world famous band from the 70's era, and as difficult as it is to recreate that kind of sound, the producers here are to be congratulated. You will listen and come away thinking these guys were real, and were previously huge, and that's an achievement when you consider that it is the cast of ACTORS in the movie actually singing on the soundtrack - NOT stand ins. Jimmy Nail revisits his dulcet tones, which brought him moderate success as a solo artist back in the late 80's / early 90's and there are a couple of tracks from other artists. Otherwise it's Bill Nighy and the cast belting out the tunes to great effect. An umistakable 70's panache underpins the all original score, with long instrumental bridge work breaking up lyrics, and some thrash guitars, and even "Glam" rock effects for good measure. This is a very good album for a lot of reasons, and will make you want to see the movie if you haven't, and underline it sweetly if you have. I challenge you not to be moved by the haunting lyrics of the first (and movie signature) track "The Flame Still Burns". Quite expensive here in the USA, so if you know anyone in Eurpoe, get them to send it to you! Enjoy

"The Flame Still Burns," for anyone who's ever been a performer of any kind, this film makes you feel young again. "Still Crazy" touches all of those of us who thought they left it all behind, but find it's still there. The film is about a 70's rock band, Strange Fruit, which packs it in amidst the death of its singer, drug abuse and general acrimony. But Stephen Rea (fabulous performance) digs the remnants of the band out of retirement for a reunion show. The old tensions return, but the music propels the gang past all that in the end. In addition, the mystery of the band's missing guitarist Brian (Bruce Robinson) is solved, and his reunion with his old girlfriend will make the hardest hearts cry. Excellent performances as well by Jimmy Nail (Lez), Juliet Aubrey (Karen), Billy Connally (Hughie) and Bill Nighy (hilarious as the pretentious burnout singer, Ray). Killer soundtrack with original tunes that are true to the 70's, but are timely today. The likes of Mick Jones and Russ Ballard wrote for it, and Nighy and Nail bring their own talents to the fore. It's one of the few movies that I own and will never tire of watching.

I'm listening to this very fine album right now. There are'nt many films that have catchy lil' numbers on them like this one does. Jimmy Nail play his usual happy self and the lead singer (I can't remember his name unfortunatly) fitted his part so well you can Imagine him really being like that.I thought it was better than Spinal Tap, and thats saying something !. I can't recommend it enough ! ...they also play a gig at Wisbech rock festival ! Cool huh !. I was born there ! (I think I was supposed to be reviewing the CD was'nt I ?) GET IT !

Not only is this the best moive, but the music is great. I love it, everyone should too!