You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You - Dean Martin
Low Key Lightly - George Fenton
Hot Fun In The Summertime - Sly & The Family Stone
She's 34 - George Fenton
I'm The Gutter Type - George Fenton
Ecstasy - George Fenton
Okay To You Paying My Debts - George Fenton
The burning question for this soundtrack is, Can rapper Queen Latifah handle the vocal demands a Pearl Bailey-ish character singing standards by Billy Strayhorn, Irving Gordon, and Randazzo & Weinstein? The answer is y... more »es. Her rendering of Strayhorn's "Lush Life" is particularly pleasant, and is produced and arranged beautifully by Mervyn Warren, who did most of the work on the album. Danny DeVito takes a stab at the Gershwins' "They Can't Take That Away from Me" and delivers it adequately, with a touch of charm. The disc also includes originals by Sly & the Family Stone, Dean Martin, and Mel Tormé. The only drawback is the slightly Muzak-like smooth-jazz score by George Fenton, presented in snippets at the end. --Aaron Tassano« less
The burning question for this soundtrack is, Can rapper Queen Latifah handle the vocal demands a Pearl Bailey-ish character singing standards by Billy Strayhorn, Irving Gordon, and Randazzo & Weinstein? The answer is yes. Her rendering of Strayhorn's "Lush Life" is particularly pleasant, and is produced and arranged beautifully by Mervyn Warren, who did most of the work on the album. Danny DeVito takes a stab at the Gershwins' "They Can't Take That Away from Me" and delivers it adequately, with a touch of charm. The disc also includes originals by Sly & the Family Stone, Dean Martin, and Mel Tormé. The only drawback is the slightly Muzak-like smooth-jazz score by George Fenton, presented in snippets at the end. --Aaron Tassano
Great music from vocal to instrumentals. Anybody who likes a bit of jazz might like it. If you're curious and have seen the movie, this release will give you more of what the movie is about. Highly recommended.
CD Reviews
WOW!
K. David | 11/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am a soundtrack lover and have many. This is by far the greatest. Queen Latifah should record more jazz. She sings this genre with so much soul and experience. I've been listening to this CD for 2 weeks and I can't wait to listen to it again."
Fabulous!
04/04/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I LOVED the movie Living Out Loud (and bought the DVD), and the soundtrack is incredible. Queen Latifah needs to do a complete jazz album because her voice is rich, sultry, and a joy to listen to. Her voice is absolutely intoxicating, especially on her renditions of "Lush life" and "Going Out of My Head." Other great tunes include the wonderful "Give Me Something Real" and "If You Love Me", which is played duting my favorite scene in the movie (the choreographed dance at the Confessional). BUY THIS CD NOW! You WON'T REGRET IT!!!!!!"
I can't believe she's a rapper!
K. David | Hong Kong | 07/27/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Queen Latifah is amazing in this album (and the movie). I bought the CD right after I saw the movie, and although I've never heard of Queen Latifah before Living Out Loud, from now on any album where she sings jazz I'm getting."
Yummy, yummy, yummy....
K. David | 11/24/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After seeing this movie, I ran home immediately to order the CD. For lovers of Word Jazz, for music lovers of all kinds, it is impossible to listen to this and not get all warm and fuzzy inside and goosebumps on the outside. Queen Latifah, throw out your rap shoes, honey, you were meant to sing these songs, the delicious creations of the greats. Lush Life is wonderful, Clark Anderson's Give Me Something Real - well, I'm at a loss for words. The silver throat of Mel Torme, Etta James' unforgettable At Last, I simply love this soundtrack,with its fun cherry on top snappy Danny deVito rendition of They Can't That Away From Me. Just when I thought the music couldn't be more perfect for every moment, it finished with Sly and The Family Stone's Hot Fun In The the Summertime, which sent me out of the theatre smiling and "coo-coo-coo-coo when I want to." Get this one. It'll warm up your winter to a third degree sizzle."
Brilliant music from an excellent film
Patrick Robinson | Seattle, WA USA | 08/31/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Buy this CD..even without seeing the film, which would be your loss...Buy this CD...I read about the process by which the film was made and the music was literally playing DURING the making of the film on the set...not tacked on later or simply scored. The synergy of music and image is remarkable for the emotional interplay it sets up. Brilliant.
Queen Latifah is outstanding. A remarkable talent. But why Clark Anderson is not a HUGE star just mystifies me. Incredible voice..he even wrote the song...AND he is a handsome guy too! He can even ACT. Where is he? Devito is certainly capable and does a nice job with his song but the other tunes on the disc are worth double the price. Buy this CD...It is in my top ten all time...and I have several thousand CD's...Strong enough review for you?"