Films Jazz Up Sound-Track Albums

T he proliferation of movie sound-track albums in recent months has included a substantial number of jazz-related scores. Following are some items of particular interest.

THELONIOUS MONK

“Straight No Chaser: Music From the Motion Picture” Columbia CK45358. ****

Thelonious may have been the mad Monk of music (his erratic behavior is recalled by his son, Thelonious Jr., in one of this admirable movie’s most poignant sequences), but “Mad Genius” might be a more fitting characterization.

The film includes 27 songs, all but six of which were composed by Monk. In the CD, however, only 11 numbers are heard, among them three seriocomic, sometimes stumbling versions of old popular songs. While many of the tunes are heard in the film only in bits and pieces, or hidden by voice-overs, on the record most are presented in their entirety, with a few brief verbal statements by saxophonist Charlie Rouse, Monk Jr. and Monk’s protector, the Baroness Nica De Koenigswarter.

The idiosyncratic Monk piano style has been heard in many previous versions of the same works, but this is a valuable set for Monk completists. Regrettably, two of the finest passages of piano artistry in the film, the duets by Tommy Flanagan and Barry Harris on “Well You Needn’t” and “Misterioso,” are omitted.

BILL LEE

“Do the Right Thing” sound track. Columbia CK, 45406. *** 1/2

Spike Lee’s father, Bill Lee, composed and conducted the original music for his son’s controversial picture. It’s an odd mixture, with a 40-piece string ensemble and a small contingent of first-rate jazz soloists, principally Branford Marsalis on saxophone. Some of the Lee themes have old-timey, almost Stephen Fosterish charm. Other plus factors are the trumpet of Terence Blanchard and the alto sax of Donald Harrison. The score is a generally pleasing alternation of symphonetta style and jazz chamber music. Note: A pop-oriented album of music from the movie, featuring Public Enemy, Take 6 et al., has been released on Motown.

DAVE GRUSIN

“The Fabulous Baker Boys” sound track G.R.P. G.R.D. 2002. *** 1/2

In view of the basic premise involving two cocktail pianists, this is a most improbable sound track album. Nowhere are the piano duetists heard, but Dave Grusin, who dubbed the piano for Jeff Bridges, composed and played in several jazz originals, with spirited solo work by the muted Miles Davis-like trumpet of Sal Marquez, Ernie Watts on saxes and Lee Ritenour on guitar. Most of this, however, is unheard in the movie. Of Michelle Pfeiffer’s numerous vocals, only two are retained here. She sounds just like the slightly-above-average lounge singer her character is supposed to represent.

ART BLAKEY

“Les Liaisons Dangereuses” Fontana 812017-2. ***

With the revival of Roger Vadim’s 1959-60 movie, the release and transfer to CD of the sound track takes on renewed interest. The parts recorded by Thelonious Monk were never put out on record; instead, there are too many duplications of tracks (two takes of “Valmontana,” as well as four versions, two jazz and two Latin, of “No Problem”). This edition of Blakey’s Jazz Messengers included the brilliant trumpeter Lee Morgan and the Nice-born saxophonist Barney Wilen. Because there are many available Blakeys of equal or superior merit, this disc has limited appeal, strictly to those who have seen the film.