The Blues Brothers - Soundtrack -- CD
The Blues Brothers
1980 Atlantic Records
A fun way to popularize the blues February 23, 2004
By therosen VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
Take two comedians with an interest in the blues, give them a backup band, a movie, and some creative license, and look at what comes out...
The songs go from the campy (Peter Gunn & Rawhide) to the dancable (Shake Your Tail Feathers) to the standard (Sweet Home Chicago & Minnie the Moocher). With a phenomenal backup band (The old Saturday Night Live orchestra) and some classic guest vocalists (Chaka Khan, James Brown and Ray Charles to name a few) it's a treat for the ears. Eleven songs pack both a variety and depth of fun music.
The only downside on the album is two missing songs. Some might expect Soul Man, which was perhaps Belushi & Akroyd's most famous tune. I personally missed John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom Boom Boom, my favorite song and artist from the movie.
That said, the CD is great for those looking for a smiling memory of the movie or a wide pop introduction to the blues. I'm generally not one to review too many CDs, but this one warrants a good plug!
"She Caught the Katy" (Taj Mahal, Rachell) – The Blues Brothers with lead vocals by Jake Blues - 4:10
"Peter Gunn Theme" (Mancini) – The Blues Brothers Band - 3:46
"Gimme Some Lovin'" (S. Winwood, M. Winwood, Davis) – The Blues Brothers with Jake Blues, lead vocals - 3:06
"Shake a Tail Feather" (Otis Hayes, Andre Williams, Verlie Rice) – Ray Charles with the Blues Brothers (Jake and Elwood, backing vocals) - 2:48
"Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" (Wexler, Berns, Burke) – The Blues Brothers (Jake Blues, lead vocals; Elwood Blues, harmonica and vocals) - 3:21
"The Old Landmark" (Brunner) – James Brown and the Rev. James Cleveland Choir (additional choir vocals by Chaka Khan credited in the film) - 2:56
"Think" (White, Franklin) – Aretha Franklin and the Blues Brothers with backing vocals by Brenda Corbett, Margaret Branch and Carolyn Franklin (real-life sister of Aretha) and Jake and Elwood - 3:13
"Theme from Rawhide" (Tiomkin) – Elwood and Jake and the Blues Brothers Band - 2:37
"Minnie the Moocher" (Calloway, Mills) – Cab Calloway with the Blues Brothers Band - 3:23
"Sweet Home Chicago" (Johnson) – Dedicated to the musician Magic Sam - 7:48
"Jailhouse Rock" (Leiber, Stoller) Jake Blues and the Blues Brothers (Over the closing credits in the film, verses are sung by James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and "crew".) - 3:19