I’ve been hosting guest posts on my own blog recently from friends old and new wanting to share what their favourite album is and why.
Ed chose this weeks soundtrack and you can read his reasons why here. Then you can read my reasons why this is a fabulous soundtrack.
The Blues Brothers
Released 1980
Whether they were on a mission from God or not, this film initially flopped in the US. I know, I don’t understand how this could be either. Jake and Elwood really lived up to the films own hype as the most explosive duo since nitro and glycerin.
There are car chases, a cast that includes Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker. The music is achingly hip and unselfconscious.
Since it is a film about two ex cons trying to put their band back together it is no surprise that music plays a huge part in the film and so provides an outstanding soundtrack.
Franklin takes the originally more relaxed ‘Think’ and ramps it right up to the most rampant, jazz handed beration imaginable. ‘Everybody Needs Somebody To Love’ is one of the few songs where the presence of the movie dialogue doesn’t grate. In fact, ‘we’re so glad to see so many of you lovely people here tonight and we would especially like to welcome all the representatives of Illinois law enforcement community who have chosen to join us here in the Palace Hotel ballroom at this time. We do sincerely hope you’ll all enjoy the show and please remember people, that no matter who you are and what you do to live, thrive and survive, there’re still some things that make us all the same. You, me, them, everybody, everybody’ – That is the first verse really isn’t it? Also, you just read that in the voice with the inflections didn’t you?
From opener ‘She Caught The Katy’ right through to ‘Jailhouse Rock’ every track fizzes with energy. Ray Charles shakes his tail feather, Cab Calloway introduces Minnie The Moocher and of course there is Rawhide.
