Search - Various Artists - Soundtracks :: School Daze (1988 Film) [SOUNDTRACK]

YEARS LATER AND I SEE WE WERE CORRECT

Raymond Jones | California | 10/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I composed the songs BE ALONE TONIGHT and WE'VE ALREADY SAID GOODBYE that were featured on the School Daze soundtrack and film. It is nice to see that the music has found its audience. As a writer and musician its the ultimate compliment.



BE ALONE TONIGHT was written for a band project I was trying to do with Dolette McDonald (Sting, Laurie Anderson etc.). I had envisioned it as a throw back to girl groups of the sixties. My concept for our planned video was for Dolette to be singing on a show like SHINDIG (a 60's dance show) looking like a Ross/Reeves/Ronnie Spector styled singer. She would be singing into the camera but actually singing (while holding back tears) to a Berry Gordy type character (her love interest) who was behind the camera. I had envisioned it as a sad/defiant type of love song. After my group broke up, I played it for Spike when he visited LA in '85 and he loved it. Before I knew it, I was in Atlanta recording the vocals with Tisha, Jasmine, Paula and Michelle (but not before torturing drummer Steve Ferrone with the drum overdubs at Sunset Sound in LA). While I was listening to a playback of the track at Sunset Sound, who walked in but BOB DYLAN bopping his head in approval. I thought hey, I might have something here!!!



We've Already Said Goodbye was based on a relationship breakup I was going through at the time. Pieces of a Dream did the track in NYC. They were curt and professional. Ain't seen 'em since.



We recorded the strings with arranger Clare Fischer who was doing a lot of things with Prince at the time. I was a fan of his work from the Rufus days so I was glad he obliged. Saxaphonist Branford Marsalis takes off for flight on that song and even quotes Stravinsky's Rite of Spring near the end.



At the end of the song Portia Griffin tells us to "turn that sukka off" because we were at the end of the song and she didn't feel she had anything else to sing (after she got all up in that mofo) and we had kept the tape running just in case she had anything else brilliant to add to the performance. She did. It just wasnt sung. And being young and cocky, I decided to keep it as the end.



I'm glad y'all have enjoyed that music over the years as it was great fun to create!"

Finally!!!!!

Raymond Jones | 08/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Words can not express how I feel!!! This album reminds of my days at Morehouse College sitting in the Math Building looking out the window hearing the music of this slamming Soundtrack Blasting through the walls and windows of the Dormitory. I have done so much and gone so far to find this CD. I have even had the fortune of speaking with Spike Lee's Grandmother(who was one of my clients), in order to obtain a copy of this CD. When it originally came out I didn't have a CD player (a poor college student) so I purchased it on Cassette. As we all know after time cassettes will wear out as this one has done, so I began my search and for some reason NO RECORD store carried this CD - I was even told that it was not made on CD. I even called Spike's Store in NY, to no avial. Starting out with Morehouse's Fabulous Glee Club w/Tracy Coley (who you have probably seen on the Martin Lawrence Show - Big Guy when Martin and the Gang tried to open a Restaurant) all the way up to the Pieces of A Dream cut. Thank you Amazon.Com, you have a customer for life. Whatever you do purchase this CD, not one but get two. Who knows what might happen to one of your copies. This brings back all memories; Good and Bad of Morehouse College Life. All HBCU's alums will understand. As some of the shirts used to say back in the day - "It's a Black Thing You Wouldn't Understand." But seriously regardless of sex, age, race or religion I highly suggest this Soundtrack to all. I'm glad I've got it. I think I'll take the CD with me to Morehouse's Homecoming. Since the team will lose this will be the only shinning moment!!!! Peace! Thanks Spike Sr., Spike Jr. and Amazon.Com"

This is one of the Hottest albums ever put together

Raymond Jones | 05/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Words alone are not adequate enough to accurately describe the emotion evoked by this soundtrack. You have to HEAR this masterpiece to truly understand. From the deep spiritual melody of "I'm Building Me a Home" to the fast-paced Swing sound of "Straight and Nappy" (and every thing in between) this album has something to appeal to many aspects of the soul. It is the ONLY soundtrack that I know of that actually inspires me to throw my copy of the movie in the VCR and catch another look-see. Similar to another reviewer, I had purchased an original cassette copy of this album back in 1988, lent it to a friend, and was never able to retrieve it again (my friend may have been inconsiderate, but not a fool). I've looked high and low, in mainstream retailers as well as underground CD resellers, and was never able to find this gem. Lo and behold, here comes Amazon.com to save the day. I don't care what anyone says - you all are WORTH every penny of your 'inflated' stock valuation!! :)"