Soundtrack Information
Saturday Night Live: The Musical Performances
DreamWorks Records (SNL 25)
Release Date: 1999
Format: CD
Music By
- Various Artists
Track Listing
Review: Saturday Night Live: The Musical Performances (Disc 2)
3.5 / 5 Stars
When Lorne Michaels set out to create a live comedy television show, he probably surmised there would be nights when Belushi's act just didn't seem funny; nights when Chevy Chase's smugness pushed the audience away; seasons where the entire cast just didn't gel. "What to do?" thought Lorne upon that realization. "Aha!" said he after taking a break from his paperwork calculating how much money he would make if he turned 100 weak SNL sketches into 100 even weaker movies, "I'll have a musical guest each week! That way, even if the show blows, people will still have something good to talk about on Monday morning."
Admittedly, there have been sketches, shows - even seasons - where "Saturday Night Live" has simply been, well, not funny. This said, however, one has to respect Lorne and the team for always trying to provide variety. The humor has run the gamut from esoteric political bits and caricatures to bathroom humor. Thankfully, the musical guests and choices have displayed that same variety.
Now musical highlights from the first 25 years of SNL are available on a two-disc set from Dreamworks Records. Disc one features early performances by Billy Joel ("Only the Good Die Young") and Elvis Costello ("Radio Radio") to new classics by Counting Crows ("Round Here") and The Dave Matthews Band ("What Would You Say"). The disc kicks off with a track that immediately pulls the listener in Paul Simon featuring Lady Blacksmith Mambazo ("Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes"). This first track, however, also begs the question, "With so much material to choose from, how did the producers arrive at the selections they did?" Why Diamonds and not one of the many other performances by Simon? My guess is that the producers felt this was the most magical of Simon's performances over the years. And, believe it, both discs are filled with a plethora of magical moments.
Disc two may be even more varied with standout performances from R.E.M. ("Losing My Religion") and The Pretenders ("I'll Stand By You"). Even Alanis Morrissette's track ("Hand In My Pocket") -which forces one to ask why she seems to be unable to master that harmonica without blowing through way too many reeds stands out as a magical moment.
Maybe it's the prospect of playing on live television in a studio filled with cameras, stagehands and comedians an odd combination for a musician used to being the center of attention in a headlining show that puts the performers on edge. It's that edge that leads to a heightened sense of place and time, and therefore leads to some of those magical moments.
I would definitely recommend adding this two-disc set to your collection. The music is outstanding and with all the variety you will find something you like. Besides, that It's Pat movie stunk, A Night at the Roxbury made $11.00 at the box-office, and Superstar looks like an embarrassment (who said a three minute television sketch could sustain a 90 minute feature film?). This said, maybe Lorne Michaels could use the extra cash.
Review: Saturday Night Live: The Musical Performances (Disc 1)
3.5 / 5 Stars
When Lorne Michaels set out to create a live comedy television show, he probably surmised there would be nights when Belushi's act just didn't seem funny; nights when Chevy Chase's smugness pushed the audience away; seasons where the entire cast just didn't gel. "What to do?" thought Lorne upon that realization. "Aha!" said he after taking a break from his paperwork calculating how much money he would make if he turned 100 weak SNL sketches into 100 even weaker movies, "I'll have a musical guest each week! That way, even if the show blows, people will still have something good to talk about on Monday morning."
Admittedly, there have been sketches, shows - even seasons - where "Saturday Night Live" has simply been, well, not funny. This said, however, one has to respect Lorne and the team for always trying to provide variety. The humor has run the gamut from esoteric political bits and caricatures to bathroom humor. Thankfully, the musical guests and choices have displayed that same variety.
Now musical highlights from the first 25 years of SNL are available on a two-disc set from Dreamworks Records. Disc one features early performances by Billy Joel ("Only the Good Die Young") and Elvis Costello ("Radio Radio") to new classics by Counting Crows ("Round Here") and The Dave Matthews Band ("What Would You Say"). The disc kicks off with a track that immediately pulls the listener in Paul Simon featuring Lady Blacksmith Mambazo ("Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes"). This first track, however, also begs the question, "With so much material to choose from, how did the producers arrive at the selections they did?" Why Diamonds and not one of the many other performances by Simon? My guess is that the producers felt this was the most magical of Simon's performances over the years. And, believe it, both discs are filled with a plethora of magical moments.
Disc two may be even more varied with standout performances from R.E.M. ("Losing My Religion") and The Pretenders ("I'll Stand By You"). Even Alanis Morrissette's track ("Hand In My Pocket") -which forces one to ask why she seems to be unable to master that harmonica without blowing through way too many reeds stands out as a magical moment.
Maybe it's the prospect of playing on live television in a studio filled with cameras, stagehands and comedians an odd combination for a musician used to being the center of attention in a headlining show that puts the performers on edge. It's that edge that leads to a heightened sense of place and time, and therefore leads to some of those magical moments.
I would definitely recommend adding this two-disc set to your collection. The music is outstanding and with all the variety you will find something you like. Besides, that It's Pat movie stunk, A Night at the Roxbury made $11.00 at the box-office, and Superstar looks like an embarrassment (who said a three minute television sketch could sustain a 90 minute feature film?). This said, maybe Lorne Michaels could use the extra cash.
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