The Fabulous Baker Boys: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

I just watched my own copy of this film again for about the fifteenth time, but I was glad to watch it with my mother, who had never seen the movie. Given the current deplorable state of standard Hollywood output we were both delighted: she that she had discovered a great new movie, and me that the one I love has aged beautifully given its timeless themes, superb acting, and absolutely crackling dialogue. On top of all this is one of the most rich and evocative scores of any movie I've ever seen -just a few of Grusin's lonely piano chords and I'm back in Seattle, where I was living when the film was released (another reviewer said it was filmed in L.A. and perhaps the interior scenes were, but the Pike Place Market, the Smith Tower and the final scene on Capitol Hill are all genuine Seattle, trust me). Back to the CD of the score, however: here I am in agreement with most of the other reviewers - Michelle Pfeiffer shocked us all with her great and quite haunting voice, and we need...Read more

It's been a long time since I purchased this Soundtrack(?)Album and since then I've p##sed-off about the lack of what's so good about the movie not being on this album. Where's all the tricky piano interludes including the jazz club gigs and Jeff's(of course it's not really his)solo stuff and the brothers singing Sweet Sixteen. But the worst of all is the total lack of Michelle's singing. From her audition and that incredible More Than You Know to her debut and Ten Cents a Dance to the montage of Can't Take My Eyes Off of You to the big time and The Look of Love. Where are they?

For that matter where's Michelle's album. Singers always want to be actors and actors be singers. This has got to be the first case of an actor who didn't want to be a singer and the real irony is this one's got a voice, one of soul and character.

So anyway, soundtrack albums usually are from the movie and rather than shorten the numbers they extended full versions and seldom leave...Read more

I bought this soundtrack on tape and wore it out so that I had to buy it on compact disc. I simply cannot get enough of this soundtrack.

Grusin does an excellent job of arranging the score. He knows how to create a mood with the music he plays. In fact, when you listen to the second track, Welcome to the Road, it takes you to where Suzie, Frank & Jack are hitting the road to play a gig over New Year's Eve. Grusin has wonderful way of conveying a moment through music whether it is a very serious pivotal moment as in track 8, The Moment of Truth, or a frantic moment as in track 4, Shop Till You Drop. Grusin is awesome.

Michelle Pfeiffer's vocals add another wonderful dimension to this soundtrack. Her voice is crystal clear and smooth. If anyone else sings Makin' Whoopee or My Funny Valentien, it will never be the same for me. I definitely wish that she would sing more.

It is also great to hear the following:

Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me by the Duke...Read more