For all the movies we've seen in a lifetime, I wonder how much of the music can stand alone. These days, it seems like movies are often the REASON to release a collection of rap and hip hop records. Throw in a few car explosions, a lot of F words and plenty of bootie shaking, and the movie soundtrack will be a million seller. A lot of times, the singles fro mthe soundtrack are hits before the movie is even released.

Now, in the not necessarily "good old days," movie soundtracks were written for the movie. Sometimes a particular song defined a movie, like Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darling from High Noon. There are a few movie soundtracks that really stand alone, for me. Last night, I was listening to the music from Big Country and I was transported by it.
I was living in New York City when Big Country came out, and I must have gone to see it four or five times. The Music was a major part of my enjoyment, and the soundtrack still sounds great to me.

Some other favorites of mine are the music from Pete Kelly's Blues, Man With A Golden Arm, Paper Moon, To Kill A Mockingbird and Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou.

Got any favorites? I'm not including soundtracks to musicals, because they SHOULD stand alone... but feel free to mention any favorites there...

Jerry