by Ken S on 2/25/2002
favorite track: 6
 
If you want to be tortured and yet get a good feeling out of it - you simply need the second volume of music from Moulin Rouge. This eagerly awaited second CD does include some of the most wanted songs that didn't make it onto the first album, BUT still the 43 minutes of this new release simply isn't enough. Which, of course, makes one wonder ARE Baz Luhrmann & his merrie moneymakers purposely keeping the treasures still unreleased to get the poor soundtrack collectors spending their money on a THIRD album ?

Anyway, while we wait the ultimate release of a Moulin Rouge soundtrack, this second album is a very good substitute for the ACTUAL soundtrack for the movie - the first album unfortunately could not be called an "original soundtrack" for MR despite containing a couple authentic song tracks.

But the torture goes on with this second album. Although the album claims that most of the selections are "original film versions," there are bits and pieces omitted, and some vocals are rerecorded - well, of course it could be the other way around that some of the movie vocals were rerecorded FOR THE MOVIE - but still the undersigned weeps because some of the most wonderful nuances in Jim Broadbent's vocals on "Like a Virgin" are gone on this so-called "original film version." The song "Sparkling Diamonds" doesn't have the sexy intro "...the French are glad to die for love..." and there are tiny changes also on "The Pitch (Spectacular Spectacular)." And the John Leguizamo original movie version of "Nature Boy" still shines with its absence, and so does the finale version of "Come What May" in which Nicole Kidman gave her very best vocal performance in the movie.

But the most horrible part of the torture comes in the shape of Tony Phillips' remix of "One Day I'll Fly Away" - a totally unnecessary addition to this album. The remix is so tasteless that it makes me drop a great amount of points from Baz Luhrmann, the incredibly talented director who simply CAN'T produce an album. The composer Craig Armstrong inserted couple of enchanting snippets of "One Day I'll Fly Away" into his compositions, so it's a small wonder why this second album couldn't include any of them instead of such a horrible remix.

But, as I said, a torture has never given such a good feeling - the second album is nevertheless packed with all the glorious emotion of Moulin Rouge. "Come What May," in its authentic movie form, sends pleasant shivers to every spine with especially Ewan McGregor's pure emotion. "The Pitch" and "Like a Virgin" are pure delights and will keep the listener in a happy mood hours after the listening experience. "The Show Must Go On" amazes with its power, and "Closing Credits: Bolero" serves as the magnificent encore for the most magical movie Hollywood has produced in years. In addition, there is the intimate, soothing instrumental version of Craig Armstrong's arrangement of "Your Song," and also its more dramatic arrangement by Chris Elliott ("After the Storm" scene). Only pity is that the "Death Scene" is not included in its complete, heart-melting movie version - only its final part ("Ascension") has been included here.

While many of the album's omits will definitely torture the true Moulin Rouge-lover's soul, one can still admit the torture has never been so enjoyable. Maybe Baz Luhrmann's next film project is about the Spanish Inquisition.