John Barry - The Cotton Club: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

While director Francis Coppola's potboiling crime drama set against the gloriously tumultuous backdrop of Harlem's famed Cotton Club nightspot of the '20s and '30s didn't quite come together as a cinematic whole, John Barry's efforts at supervising, scoring, and recreating the energetic jive and wail of the era very nearly carry the day. The opportunity was likely a dream come true for the former jazzman turned film scorer; his adaptations of standards by Ellington and Cab Calloway are reverent yet energetic, infused by original music that weaves it into an accessible and rewarding tapestry of time, place, and art. So-so film, great soundtrack. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com essential recording

back in the studio where it should be!

this soundtrack was a staple when i took my first tap classes. then, it went out of issue for the longest time.

thank god someone brought it back!

the selections of ellington pieces are varied and dazzingly performed! the tempi are perfect for my needs as a tap teacher these days.

i am so happy to have it back in the studio as well as in my cd player when i want some hot pre-swing style jazz! April 26, 2008

Excellent Jazz Period Piece

Wonderful movie that is strengthened by a wonderful soundtrack that includes Cab Calaway. A true great jazz period piece. September 13, 2007

The Cotton Club soundtrack on CD: POW !!!

The CD soundtrack from the movie The Cotton Club delivers quite a punch; with music by greats like Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen and Cab Calloway you just can't go wrong. This CD brings back memories of the film I watched a few months ago as well as the days when I used to sneak into my mother's closet, pull out her old 78s and listen to them on the record player all by myself. Only this time around the music sounds clearer than ever before thanks to digital remastering and clever musical arrangements by Bob Wilber, Sy Johnson, David Berger and Randy Sandke. Wonderful!

The CD track set opens with "The Mooche" by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills. The arrangement uses the horns to create a dramatic and haunting effect for this instrumental number. The temple blocks played by Chuck Riggs serve to highlight the beat of the number. "The Mooche" is followed by "Cotton Club Stomp #2;" this number moves much, much faster but the music by Duke Ellington makes it shine no matter what.

"Creole Love Call" features the haunting cries of Priscilla Baskerville; with the horns so well done you won't forget this number soon.

One of the most beautiful ballads on this CD is "Ill Wind" written by Ted Koehler and Harold Arlen. Lonette McKee sings "Ill Wind" with all her heart and might; and her voice imparts a sense of intimacy to the listener that I rarely experience. Lonette sings this to perfection!

"Minnie The Moocher" has that "vamp-like 1920s" beat from the 1920s and 1930s; Cab Calloway and Irving Mills weave a routine straw-like number into solid gold. Larry Marshall sings this song with panache and he also uses his voice to express the romantic experiences of "Minnie The Moocher." The chorus does a great job of backing Larry up as well. In addition, "Copper Colored Gal" is a lively, upbeat number that offers a great beat and an infectious melody--now why is this song so short? "Copper Colored Gal" works perfectly; and that's why I wish Benny Davis had added an extra verse to this number.

The album ends with "Daybreak Express Medley" with music by Duke Ellington once again. This bouncy, fast paced and dramatic number provides a musical flourish to mark the end of this album. And how it ends all too soon!

The liner notes give you the songs credits; and the art work includes stills from the motion picture as well.

Fans of great music from 1920s and 1930s America will thrill to this CD. Each and every musical number, instrumental or ballad, offers a fresh, crisp sound and beat that makes you want to beg for more. Duke Ellington fans will also enjoy this CD.
March 19, 2007

The Cotton Club: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

This is magnificant music, expecially Duke Ellington's rendition of Mood Indigo. Can't find that quality now. February 20, 2007

Tales Of The Jazz Age

Francis Ford Coppola's $47 million crime drama was a failure at the box office, but it did produce this outstanding soundtrack from John Barry.

Barry - a former jazz artist turned movie scorer - captures the essence of the 1920s-1930s music scene in The Cotton Club through adapting standards from legends like Duke Ellington & Cab Calloway and using original songs.

Several of the song titles also capture the overt racism of the times. It must be remembered that The Cotton Club was a venue for blacks to perform, not to enter through the front door. The nightclub was designed for white patrons and - as the best, but not only, example - with it came all the degrading trappings for the female dancers and employees.

The soundtrack works so well because the songs are period pieces whose performances - and titles - are taken directly from the era. Unlike the movie, The Cotton Club: Original Movie Soundtrack actually does a great job in telling tales from the jazz age. February 11, 2007

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