We have Robert Gordon to thank for a brief commentary on the album in
the CD insert. The film Forty Shades of Blue chronicles a period
in the life of an aging rock and roll producer who captured “a moment
in time…when the music of the blacks and the whites came
together.” Inspired by the music of Bert Berns, Jim Dickinson and
Sam Phillips, filmmaker Ira Sachs set out to make a film that would
best epitomize this period of time in Memphis and the soundtrack is a
documentary of sorts of some of that music. Part of the material
was composed specifically for the soundtrack, while others are older
tunes like “A Little Bit of Soap” penned by Bert Berns (who was
responsible for “Twist and Shout” and “Piece of My Heart.”)
Additionally, the movie’s score is by Dickon Hinchliffe and provides a
very different contrast in feel and style of music. These tracks
have a sad, sweet, reflective quality that is not atypical for a movie
score and track 10 even has a touch of symphonic/classical music.
The other tracks are from several genres including blues, pop, rock,
R&B, country. Track six is an R&B/pop vocal track and is
one of the best “sounding” on the disc. On a good system it
should really impress. Track 9 is a jazzy dance hall number with
a fiddle and is another track that standouts out both musically and by
way of its fidelity. Track 13 is a cappella with Brazilian singer
Sabina Sciubba who is very reminiscent of Astrud Gilberto—it’s another
standout sonically. All in all this disc is full of good music
and if you’re a blues fan then track three or eleven are sure to get
you excited. The music got me piqued enough to want to check out
the movie.
Songs included are: A Little Bit of Soap by Reba Russell; Jelly
Roll Boogie by Jim Dickinson; Annie Mae by Elvin Bishop & Smokey
Smothers; Laura by Dickon Hinchliffe; Quicksand by Tracy Nelson;
The Dark End of the Street by J. Blackfoot; The Message by Dickon
Hinchliffe; No Room For A Tramp by Jim Dickinson & Sid Selvidge;
What Do I Do by The Red Stick Ramblers; The Proposal by Dickon
Hinchliffe; Snowed In by Albert Collins; I’m Broken Hearted by Earl
Thomas; Forty Shades of Blue by Sabina Sciubba.
– Brian Bloom
