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Shall
We Dance? - Soundtrack
Label: Casablanca
/ Universal
Rating: 
Review By: Zane
Ewton
Tracks:
Sway - Pussycat Dolls
Santa Maria - GoTan Project
Happy Feet
Espana Cani
I Wanna (Shall We Dance) - Gizelle D'Cole/Pilar
Montenegro
Perfidia
Under The Bridges Of Paris
Moon Rivfer
Andalucia
Book Of Love, The - Peter Gabriel
L Train, The
I Could Have Danced All Night - Jamie
Cullum
Wonderland - Rachel Fuller
Shall We Dance
Let's Dance - Mya |
A movie about dancing is one that needs
good music more than anything else. Movies from “Singing in the Rain”
to “Dirty Dancing” become memorable because of the music. A film
has the benefit of being able to put music and picture together to create
a remarkable moment.
The soundtrack to Shall We Dance?
is guilty of being unremarkable. The album is a mixture of instrumental
standards and a few new compositions that blend around the edges.
What stands out the most about this soundtrack
that accompanies a movie about dancing is how sterile and obviously un-sexy
the whole album feels.
We begin with the Pussycat Dolls and “Sway”.
This is the first song I have ever seen where someone received a credit
for running Pro Tools on the track. Pro Tools may have been used
to make the whole album as each track blends with the last on a wave of
drum machines and understated musicianship.
The middle of the album is reserved for
short instrumentals, most of which have a light Latin flare, including
“Happy Feet”, “Espana Cani”, “Perfidio” and “Moon River”.
A highlight is in the Peter Gabriel performance
of “The Book of Love.” It is the one lone track where the understatement
and grace is evident.
The finale is a cover of David Bowie’s
“Let’s Dance” by Mya and featuring some rapper. Where Bowie’s version
is tense and sexy, Mya’s is not.
There lies the major weakness of this compilation;
it is just one big piece of dry white bread.
More on the Soundtrack
Listen
to samples and Purchase this CD online
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