"Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Soundtracks

Editor, Jason Verlinde

Onscreen, 1999 saw some delightful and creative movies (along with the usual mass of predictability). In the world of soundtracks, things were no different. No single composer stole the show, but a variety of upstarts (the Dust Brothers, Greg Hale Jones) did heir best to invent unique and imaginative scores that held up to repeated listening. A few collections of movie songs ("Iron Giant," "Rushmore") were equally innovative--fun to listen to and the perfect complement to their films. And then there were epic soundtracks--scores that belonged to films such as "The Red Violin," "Tango," and "Eyes Wide Shut"--where classical composers got their chance to bring high-art to Hollywood. As always, diversity reigned supreme.

1. "The Red Violin"
Original Soundtrack
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000J28V/ref=ad_m_s_2
Typically, a soundtrack provides mere sonic accompaniment to a film, but on "The Red Violin," John Corigliano's score literally takes over. Poetic, lyrical, and filled with
varying violin styles (all played perfectly by classical superstar Joshua Bell), this soulful and expressive soundtrack is a keeper.

2. "Tango"
Original Soundtrack
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000I0DI/ref=ad_m_s_2
You don't need to see Carlos Saura's "Tango" to appreciate the gorgeous score that Lalo Schifrin has composed here. Schifrin, mining the formative influence of his former bandleader Astor Piazzolla, composes some truly classic tangos that are both spirited and sentimental. Topnotch performers, including 80-year-old tango legend Horacio Salgan, make this delightful disc all the more effective.

3. "Dracula"
Music by Philip Glass
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JZCI/ref=ad_m_s_2
Sure, it has all the cliches Philip Glass has been criticized for (mainly, a lot of arpeggios), but nothing beats watching this Tod Browning classic with the composer's
new, Kronos Quartet-performed score. Not since the late, great Alloy Orchestra has a soundtrack been so creatively interwoven with a cinematic classic. Creepy, beautiful, and
repetitive, just like the movie.

4. "Rushmore"
Original Soundtrack
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000HZPY/ref=ad_m_s_2
Lots of soundtracks feature pop songs, but how many have the perfect mix of classic rock and original score material that "Rushmore" does? Not enough. Here, tunes by the Kinks, Cat Stevens, the Faces, and the Who are interspersed with Mark Mothersbaugh's quirky and whimsical instrumentals on a disc that has all the makings of a perfect mix tape.

5. "The Limey"
Original Soundtrack
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000021XQA/ref=ad_m_s_2
Unfortunately, the movie doesn't do this great soundtrack justice. It's a shame, because on disc we hear great classic rock, minimalist orchestrations from Cliff Martinez, and the wicked "Party Sequence" from Danny Saber. Saber's mix is barely audible during the movie, but it steals the show here, a noir-ish mix of dance music and organ jazz.

6. "The General's Daughter"
Original Soundtrack
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JCEY/ref=ad_m_s_2
Carter Burwell gets most of the credit for the soundtrack to "The General's Daughter," but it's Greg Hale Jones's impressive reworking of primitive gospel and blues field
recordings that is the real highlight. Hale Jones's Moby-esque remixes are the perfect complement to Burwell's more traditional, brooding orchestrations.

7. "The Iron Giant"
Original Soundtrack
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JNIY/ref=ad_m_s_2
"The Iron Giant" was a great movie that unfortunately flopped, despite having a wonderful soundtrack. Musically, it has all the quirks of a John Waters collection with none of the throwaway tracks. The vintage recordings of the Nutty Squirrels, Mel Torme, the Ames Brothers, and Jimmy Lloyd give this nostalgia-filled disc plenty of personality. Also included is a brief excerpt of Michael Kamen's instrumental score, available separately in its entirety.

8. "American Beauty"
Original Soundtrack
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001X4Z6/ref=ad_m_s_2
Sometimes the song collections found on soundtracks do nothing to enhance the movie, but in "American Beauty," music played an integral role in illustrating the characters' generation gap. Thomas Newman's probing score
leads things off, but great alt-rock tracks by Elliott Smith, Eels, the Folk Implosion, and Gomez are the real highlights, along with vintage tunes by Peggy Lee, Bobby Darin, and the Who. An interesting, infectious mix of new and old music.

9. "Fight Club"
Original Soundtrack
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JJMA/ref=ad_m_s_2
The Dust Brothers are best known as the production aces behind some of alt-rock's biggest names, but on "Fight Club" they prove they're also no slouches at creating a memorable movie score. Featuring dark, dreary techno and industrial passages, the "Fight Club" soundtrack is both ominous and youthful, just like the movie.

10. "Eyes Wide Shut"
Original Soundtrack
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JG3P/ref=ad_m_s_2
Stanley Kubrick's soundtracks have always been legendary, and "Eyes Wide Shut" is no exception. Upstart classical composer Jocelyn Pook has created a brooding and minimalist
instrumental score that is the perfect compliment to modern composer Gyoergy Ligeti's uneasy solo-piano main theme. Meanwhile, tunes by Chris Isaak, Oscar Peterson, and Brad Mehldau help lighten the mood."

There you have it, straight from the horse's mouth.

Scott

My Christmas Wish: All critics get invited on this big ship. The ship hits an iceberg and sinks. All critics are lost with the exceptions of a few. These few critise everything from the predictable color of the iceberg to the same old notion that water is cold. They then take over the government and declare Clinton to be the long lost, ill-behaved nephew of Santa Claus. Saint Nick then bans Clinton to live forever at the North Pole which makes Hillary so happy she explodes and leaves good ole' New York to look for new candidate to run for the Senate.
I could go on, but the rest of the plot is sooo bloody, I have to censor myself.

As far as my opinion of Amazon.com's "Top 10"... well, I think the guy was smoking crack when he decided on those. Sure, The Red Violin is good. Dracula is even better... but as far as the year's best scores? No way... Such greats as The 13th Warrior and For Love of the Game deserve those honors.

Of course... that's just my opinion. ...and then Hillary finds her new candidate, none other than the wonderful Eddie Murphy. Eddie's campaign is so successful that he wins the race and becomes a U.S. Senator, only to find out that he won because of a conspiracy secretly unraveling in the kitchen of a McDonald's franchise south of the border. Who will save us now???

...to be continued...

"Hey, let's generate some interest by putting them on a 10 best list."

A 10 best list without Mystery Alaska is not a 10 best list.

Marc

Sorry,