Frenchy’s Favorites: Soundtrack - “Round Midnight”
General Description
Artist/Band:Soundtrack
Album Title: Round Midnight
Year: 1986
Monk and Hancock: great combo!
How I Got Into This Music
Incredibly difficult for me to remember, which came first: the movie or the soundtrack? Must be the movie 
(this time). I can remember the story (but that’s another review) and I can definitely remember the music that was used. When I bought the album I was just starting to listen to jazz so I wasn’t really aware of the history behind the music and its composers.
Herbie Hancock scored the movie and composed some of the tracks, but the most important part is the tribute to the works of that incredible genius, Thelonious Monk.
So, here’s my review..
Album credits at artistdirect.com
Tracks that got my attention:
(well, all of them actually..)
‘Round Midnight
Hmmm.. Always a smile on my face when I listen to this track, coz it took me quite some time before I realized that the vocals are by that music fanatic extraordinaire, Bobby McFerrin. So sweet.. so sweet.. The original is on of Monk’s classic tracks.
Body And Soul
If there is such a thing as a French style of jazz than it sure as hell is the guitar strumming on this track. The late Dexter Gordon takes you for a great walk in the park..
Bérangére’s Nightmare
Heheh.. I had this thing with CD’s for a while: I’d select the nicest and slowest tracks and program them in a loop. I’d go to sleep while enjoying some nice music. This track is one of two tracks I accidentally programmed that woke me up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat..
The tempo and the bass just got to me, and yes, the title really is appropriate.
Fair Weather ft. Chet Baker
You will believe in angels when you hear the sweet vocals of Chet Baker
Una Noche Con Francis
Great sax and trumpet solos!! And that walking bass..
The Peacocks
This one took me a bit to get used to, but now it’s one of my faves. The alt-sax (I’m guessing..) builds a great tension - slow, soft, intense..
How Long Has This Been Going On?
I remember this song being performed in the movie by the excellent Lonette McKee . Later on, I found out that this lady’s performing the vocals on the track too.
This is one of those songs I can hum or sing anytime and anywhere (sometimes causing some embarrassing moments), I really enjoy the lyrics and the fantastic voice!
Rhythm-A-Ning
Another track of Monk in a great big band mood.
Still Time
Jazz Legend Ron Carter on bass and Hancock’s piano slowly but surely warming your heart, body and soul..
Rhythm-A-Ning
Another track of Monk in a great big band mood.
Minuit Aux Champs-Elysees
Things to do in a next life: learn to play the vibraphone like mister Bobby Hutcherson
Chan’s Song (Never Said)
Sweet finale to a great album: again, Bobby McFerrin’s beautiful falsetto vocals almost bringing tears to me eyes (getting more sentimental by the year, yes, I am..)
Conclusion
This album still to me is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard in jazz music.
December 14th, 2006 at 1:25 pm
[...] Who?Well, read about this grand old man of jazz, fusion and almost everything concerning music here. Was there with me mate, ArAm. I knew HH from his incredibly weird video for the Rockit track from 1983 (holy $#!t). And later on, I discovered his jazz talents through his excellent Round Midnight soundtrack.This musician’s always been on my radar as one that I have to see performing his stuff live, and now I finally got the chance! [...]