CD Reviews: Strut! and Tears of the Black Tiger
Strut! The Official Soundtrack ***
ANTHONY NEWETT
Rittenhouse 1101
18 tracks - 42:46
Strut! is an independent documentary about the New Year's Philadelphia
Mummers. This is definitely a CD for those familiar with the festival antics
-- musical purists of any kind should run the other way.
There's something uniquely American here -- ahem, maybe it's the representations
of early favorites like "O Dem Golden Slippers," Mancini's "Baby Elephant
Walk" and Copland's "Fanfare to the Common Man." There's even a rendition
of "Join the Circus" from Barnum. Still, what could have easily become
horrible camp turns out as respectful, though unique, reiterations "orchestrated"
and performed by Anthony Newett. Newett turns out to be a near one-man-band,
serving as one of the vocalists and playing everything from banjo, percussion
and brass to select woodwinds. He's joined by saxophonists Mark Brown and
James Newett, along with singers Alissa Newett and Dave Bracamonte. The
level of musicianship of all performers is excellent. Listen to the classy
trumpet solos in "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?" or the
sheer joy of "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover." It is also refreshing
to hear real instruments instead of synths.
This infectious album is perfect for amusement park listening -- maybe
for a backyard party too. In some respects, this music harkens back to
the early days of radio when almost any musical styles could be heard bumped
together. If you're looking for a truly eclectic mix of standards, rags,
Broadway showtunes and more, this disc is worth a look. An unclassifiable
CD if there ever was one. And one that no actual rating system could do
justice to. So if you can find this CD, at least do yourself a favor and
give it an audition. And of course, if you know anything about the Mummer,
or if you've seen this film, you're in for a little treat. -- Steven
A. Kennedy
Tears of the Black Tiger (Fa Talai Jone) ** 1/2
AMORNPONG METHAKUNAWUT
Milan 74321 91780 2
13 tracks - 38:50
If westerns directed by Italians are collectively called "spaghetti
westerns," what do you call a Thai Western? A Padseew noodle western, perhaps.
Well, after Kurosawa's Yojimbo became A Fistful of Dollars it was
only a matter of time before the cycle went full circle, and this Leone-influenced
cult western musical takes the Western back East again. Forget Shanghai
Noon, Rush Hour or other East meets West efforts, this is a
true hybrid of both cultures and is accompanied by a soundtrack that's
as much Roy Rogers as it is Morricone.
The first six tracks are songs, sung in native Thai dialect, but thankfully
there are English translations of the lyrics in the liner notes. The remaining
tracks are instrumental versions of the songs, which in turn are camp surreal
parodies of traditional western fare. Imagine a Thai Moulin Rouge
by way of "Woody's Roundup" and you'll have a good idea of what to expect.
Don't expect to see the movie at your multiplex, but do keep your eye
for this bizarre release -- quite literally, you've never heard anything
like it before. On the downside, it's just too niche for 99.999% of soundtrack
fans. -- Nick Joy
MailBag@filmscoremonthly.com
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