Dreamgirls [SOUNDTRACK]

Harvey Jr. Mason (Performer), James Johnson (Performer), Nathan East (Performer), Daniel Smith (Performer), Jennifer Kuhn (Performer), Larry Corbett (Performer), Rudolph Stein (Performer), Stephen Erdody (Performer), Suzie Katayama (Performer), Vanessa Freebairn-Smith (Performer), Henry Krieger (Composer), Anthony Moore (Performer), Glendon Campbell (Performer), Gordon Campbell (Performer), Harvey Mason (Performer), Richy Lawson (Performer), Darrell Crooks (Performer), Eric Jackson (Performer), Michael Thompson (Performer), Randy Spendlove (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Harvey Jr. Mason, James Johnson, Nathan East, Daniel Smith, Jennifer Kuhn, et al.
• Composer: Henry Krieger
• Audio CD (December 5, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000J103YI
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (113 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,387 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The big question about this soundtrack is: how's she doing? No, not Beyoncé, silly--how's Jennifer Hudson doing? And more specifically, how's she doing by "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"? To this reviewer's ears, she doesn't top the original Effie, Jennifer Holliday--or even Lillias White, from the 2001 Dreamgirls in Concert. On the other hand, Hudson isn't afraid to pullout all the stops, whipping herself up into a total diva frenzy as the song getscaught up in an unstoppable crescendo. As for Beyoncé, she adapts superbly to the 1960s- and 1970s–tinged material, though "Listen"--a ballad that also appears on her own B'day album--lacks the spirit that infuses the classic tunes on this album. For make no mistake: this is hard-hitting, high-octane music, infused with an urgency and passion that makes most contemporary R&B albums sound timid. When Hudson and Beyoncé duke it out on "It's All Over," or when the "One Night Only" ballad gets reinvented as the dance-floor burner "One Night Only (Disco)," the sheer energy flowing from the speakers is transporting.

Note that the two-CD Deluxe Edition features a larger booklet and additional tracks, including dance remixes of "One Night Only" and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," as well as composer Henry Krieger's demo of "Patience." --Elisabeth Vincentelli

More from the Dreamgirls Cast

B'day, Beyoncé

American Idol season 3: Greatest Soul Classics, (Featuring a track from Jennifer Hudson)

Unpredictable, Jamie Foxx

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jennifer Hudson stuns!, December 6, 2006

By	K. Wallin (Akron, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I remember Jennifer from American idol and i thought she was good, but would never do anything once she was off and look at her now! She shines in this soundtrack. I still like Jennifer Holliday better, but Jennifer holds her own. This is a star studded soundtrack with beyonce, jamie foxx, eddie murphy and of course Jennifer Hudson. The songs are catchy and likable. For all of your who don't know, this movie is slightly based on the Supremes. The whole cast shines, Eddie murphy is better than i expected in this role. Even if you don't like musicals, you should give this a try, i think you will be surprised. I can't wait for the movie. Watch the golden globes jan. 15 to see if this amazing cast and movie will win.
Jennifer Hudson-Golden Globe WINNER!, best supporting actress
Eddie Murphy- Golden Globe WINNER, best supporting actor

Beyonce Knowles- Golden Globe Nominee, best actress
DreamGirls- Golden Globe WINNER, Best Musical or Comedy
Listen: Golden Globe nominee best original song
OSCAR WINNER: Best supporting actress Jennifer Hudson

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music to win themselves Oscars by..., December 30, 2006

By	Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This electric soundtrack to the movie Dreamgirls crackles with energy and does not disappoint. I commend these fine performers for doing their own singing throughout the soundtrack to the motion picture. Moreover, although Amazon writes that Jennifer Hudson could not outdo Jennifer Holiday as Effie; I believe that at the very least Hudson matched Holiday when she sings the beautiful, passionate and heartbreaking ballad "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going." I rarely see any actor or actress give their all to deliver a song so powerfully in the manner Jennifer Hudson does when she stops the show with "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going."

The CD barely starts there. The songs "Move" and "Fake Your Way To The Top" offer catchy melodies and superb lyrics. "Cadillac Car" is another masterpiece; and this is highlighted even more when another artist essentially steals the song and performs it in such a comparatively drab fashion. "Family" is a touching ballad about how the main characters in the plot will stick together and value Effie even as she is being demoted from lead singer to backup. Excellent!

"I Am Changing" and "One Night Only" offer Jennifer Hudson another opportunity to show off her incredible vocal talents; the soul in these ballads stuns you. And Lord knows, brace yourself for the disco version of "One Night Only." The three lady group performs this song with such high voltage energy you'll be sitting in your seat as your hair stands up straight behind you parallel to the floor--exactly like the infamous advertisement for Memorex tapes! Like all the songs on the CD, the disco version of "One Night Only" is performed to perfection.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. The CD closes with The Dreams singing "Hard To Say Goodbye" and "Dreamgirls (Finale)." These passionate songs are delivered flawlessly. There is also a touching duet of "When I First Saw You;" and this concludes the album.

Despite the fact that this album is a very recent release Amazon already gives it the status of "an Amazon.com Best Music of 2006 selection." I don't doubt their judgment for a minute. The movie sparkles and crackles with electric performances by Beyoncé (who sing the beautiful ballad entitled "Listen); Jennifer Hudson (who, as Effie, performs the show stopping number "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going") as well as songs delivered straight from greats like Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx. I didn't know Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx could sing so well!

The artwork is excellent and the quality of the sound does not disappoint.

One thing, however: Please be aware that there is an alternate two CD version of the soundtrack that you can also purchase here on Amazon.com. That version comes with an additional 16 songs as well as a lyric and photo booklet.

Overall, this album--and the movie--is an absolute must for any movie buff or any fan of great musicals. Fans of movie soundtracks and Beyoncé will never be disappointed. Moreover, if you want the finest introduction possible to the gifted Jennifer Hudson, you must buy this CD.

Every once in a very long while, all the stars in the heavens align in exactly the right places to create a work of art as impressive as the soundtrack to the movie Dreamgirls Get this CD--but set aside plenty of time before you start to listen to it because one, two or even three straight listens could never be enough! Great job on this CD, everyone!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fabulous new rendering of "Dreamgirls", February 28, 2007

By	Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

The brand-new film version of DREAMGIRLS features three additional songs, especially written for the film version, which blend in seamlessly with the songs from the original stage production (for more info about the Broadway stage production, check out my review of the Dreamgirls (1982 Original Broadway Cast)).

The true star of this soundtrack is undoubtedly Jennifer Hudson, whose searing performance as Effie White has won her Golden Globe, SAG, and Academy Awards for 'Best Supporting Actress'. Just listen to the amazing way she tackles Effie's agonizing anthem, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going".

Beyonce Knowles plays the role of Deena Jones, and comes off best with "Listen", one of the three new songs (and co-wrote by Knowles herself), an equally-stirring ballad sung at a point where Deena has come to an emotional crossroads. Anika Noni Rose (a Broadway veteran from CAROLINE OR CHANGE) also scores heavily as Lorrell with "Patience".

Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx also unveil their fine singing voices here. The soundtrack to DREAMGIRLS is a fantastic souvenir from an unforgettable movie musical.

[Sony 88967 04102 2]