The Commitments: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

I have to admit that I have never seen this movie, but I heard a couple of songs from it and just had to buy this album. I also had no idea until reading the rest of these reviews, that the lead singer Andrew Strong was only 16 when this was recorded. That blew me away. Amazing! The album may be full of covers of classic r&b and soul songs, but WOW, what fantastic covers they are. Just as good in many ways as the originals. I am not one for watching movies, I much prefer the auditory arts to the visual, but I think this is one film I will watch when I get the chance.

Listening to this album one can't help but wonder how a sixteen-year-old can show such maturity of voice. Although he is the stand-out everyone in the band, including Robert Arkin, who played the manager in the movie, is wonderful. The idea that anyone can even try to cover an Otis Redding or Aretha song and have any success at all is hard to believe. The idea that anyone can sound this good doing it is almost impossible. This is a must have for any soul lover!

"The Commitments" film is based on a Roddy Doyle novella, part of a three-part series on the fictional "Barrytown," in the North of Dublin.

I cannot say too much about the film. I already have it on VHS and recently got the collector's edition, with pieces on the "making of," and where they are since and all. It's a parable, a story to show, like, say, the New Testament for years to come.

As to the music, well, I envy Andrew Strong, who was a ripe 16 when the film was made. (The character in the book was weaker; Andrew tried out and they director couldn't resist his voice!)

Richard Arkins (Jimmy Rabbitte in the film) plays a slew of instruments, but was made the lead character, the band's manager in the film. He does some of the vocals on this CD.

Let's say, for the sake of the "discussion," that you didn't like the film. (How could you not?? No, I won't go there...) Even so, the music is so well done. The ladies'...Read more