Moulin Rouge [Original Soundtrack]

Performer: Original Soundtrack/Various Artists
Engineer: Don Murnaghan; David Reitzas; Dylan "3D" Dresdow; Felipe Elgueta; Geoff Foster; Jimmy Douglas; Maurice Seezer; Michael C. Ross; Michel Pepin; Mickey Petralia; Simon Franglen; Ash Howes; Alvin Sweeney; Carmen Rizzo
Producer: Fatboy Slim; Gavin Friday; Julian Gallagher; Alexis Smith; Maurice Seezer; Missy Elliott; Neil Davidge; Patrick Leonard; Richard Stannard; Robert Del Naja; Timbaland; Baz Luhrmann; Craig Armstrong; David Foster
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: "Lady Marmalade" won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals. Personnel: Tony Visconti (vocals); Maurice Seezer (guitar, keyboards, programming); Richard Stannard (guitar, keyboards); Bono (guitar); Joel Zifkin (violin); Julian Gallagher (keyboards); Ash Howes (programming). Audio Mixers: Dave Pensado; Andy Nelson ; Humberto Gatica; Jimmy Douglas; Michel Pepin; Andy Bradfield; Ryan Freeland; Timbaland; Brad Haehnel. Recording information: AIR Studios; Angel Studios; Biffco Studios; Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA; Chartmaker Studios; Chicago Trax Recording; Eleanor Soundfirm; Enterprise Studios; Fishtank Recording Studios; FLM Studios; Fulham Road; HIt Factory; Horse Studio, Iona; M5 Studios; Massive Attck Studios; Production Frisson; Rig; STrongroom; Trackdown Studios; Village Recorder; Westlake Audio. Unknown Contributor Roles: Ozzy Osbourne; Beck. Arrangers: Gavin Friday; Maurice Seezer; Steve Sidwell; Bono . For die-hard devotees of Moulin Rouge, Moulin Rouge: Collector's Edition is just the thing, gathering both volumes of the film's soundtrack into a gift set. Moulin Rouge's occasionally ill-conceived mix of schmaltz and edginess is apparent on both discs, with Fatboy Slim's "Because We Can" and Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Pink, and Mya's hit cover of "Lady Marmalade" giving disc one a slightly hipper veneer than the second, which features love-it-or-hate-it selections like Jim Broadbent's version of "Like a Virgin" and the cast's performance of "The Pitch (Spectacular Spectacular)," a song that's nearly impossible to get out of your head. Still, anyone interested in buying The Collector's Edition is obviously a fan of Moulin Rouge's music, so this set delivers exactly that in a convenient package. ~ Heather Phares At the very least, director Baz Luhrmann has created something different here. His modern-day musical weaves new cover versions of songs from the past three decades into one story about a brothel in turn of the century Paris. Its an odd combination to begin with, and the soundtrack itself bounces back and forth between very hip, modern tracks from artists at the top of their game and big Broadway-style ballads from the cast of the film. Some of the most well-respected names in music signed on for the project, including Beck, Bono, Timbaland, and David Bowie. Fatboy Slim created a "Can Can" for the next generation with "Because We Can," and Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Pink, and Mya teamed up for a surefire hit with their naughtier version of Patti Labelle's "Lady Marmalade." In stark contrast to these edgy tracks, the album spends the rest of its time on love songs from Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman. They perform big-voiced, orchestra-backed versions of sentimental favorites like Elton John's "Your Song." The "Elephant Love Medley" strings together some of pop's sappiest hits, including "Up Where We Belong," "One More Night," and "I Will Always Love You." Perhaps to many people's surprise, Kidman and McGregor can really sing, and maybe in a different environment it would be easier to take these songs seriously, but standing here outside the context of the film and next to Beck covering David Bowie, they seem more comic than creative. ~ Brad Kohlenstein In turning the story of the famed Paris nightclub the Moulin Rouge into a modern day fable celebrating love and creative inspiration, Baz Luhrman creates an accompanying soundtrack that exalts 20th century pop composers at the same time as it's blurring their musical boundaries. It's an approach best exemplified by dramatic leads Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor during the gorgeous "Elephant Love Melody," an endearing call-and-response during which lines from songs by the Beatles, Kiss, U2, Wings, and Thelma Houston are tossed back and forth as the duo argue over their burgeoning emotional involvement. Elsewhere, Kidman quotes Madonna ("Material Girl") and Marilyn Monroe ("Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend") amidst brassy, Vegas-like arrangements and dance beats. McGregor also pulls off a gorgeous version of Elton John's "Your Song," complete with sweeping orchestration, Placido Domingo's swooping tenor, and a powerful children's chorus. Among the most interesting collaborations here are between David Bowie and Massive Attack, who perform a chilled-out trip-hop cover of the standard "Nature Boy," and the Missy Elliott-produced superstar summit of Labelle's "Lady Marmalade," featuring Lil' Kim, Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mya. Beck and Timbaland also team up for a blipping, bleeping minimalist take on Bowie's "Diamond Dogs At the very least, director Baz Luhrmann has created something different here. His modern-day musical weaves new cover versions of songs from the past three decades into one story about a brothel in turn of the century Paris. Its an odd combination to begin with, and the soundtrack itself bounces back and forth between very hip, modern tracks from artists at the top of their game and big Broadway-style ballads from the cast of the film. Some of the most well-respected names in music signed on for the project, including Beck, Bono, Timbaland, and David Bowie. Fatboy Slim created a "Can Can" for the next generation with "Because We Can," and Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Pink, and Mya teamed up for a surefire hit with their naughtier version of Patti Labelle's "Lady Marmalade." In stark contrast to these edgy tracks, the album spends the rest of its time on love songs from Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman. They perform big-voiced, orchestra-backed versions of sentimental favorites like Elton John's "Your Song." The "Elephant Love Medley" strings together some of pop's sappiest hits, including "Up Where We Belong," "One More Night," and "I Will Always Love You." Perhaps to many people's surprise, Kidman and McGregor can really sing, and maybe in a different environment it would be easier to take these songs seriously, but standing here outside the context of the film and next to Beck covering David Bowie, they seem more comic than creative. ~ Brad Kohlenstein

Q (11/01, p.132) - 3 out of 5 stars - "...Like the film, this soundtrack does exactly what it likes, in an OTT torrent of showtune campness..." Uncut (8/01, p.116) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Impossibly romantic...It's a giddy, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink brew..."

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