Track Listing

1. Iko Iko
2. Tipitina
3. Ma 'Tit Fille
4. Colinda
5. Tell It Like It Is
6. Zydeco Gris-Gris
7. Oh Yeh Yai
8. Hey Hey (Indians Comin')
9. Closer to You
10. Saviour, Pass Me Not - Beausoleil
11. Buck's Nouvelle Jole Blon
12. Pine Grove Blues

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23723 in Music
• Released on: 1991-07-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Original language: English

Amazon.com essential recording
While it didn't do for Louisiana music what the film The Harder They Come did for reggae, the soundtrack to director Jim McBride's steamy and stylized cops-and-corruption movie is a pretty good introduction to the region's extensive musical delights (even if gospel's great Swan Silvertones are from West Virginia). The late Dewey Balfa (who appears in the film's sweet porch-party scene) is to Cajun music's rural past what Terrance Simien and Zachary Richard are to its rocking present. Buckwheat Zydeco is to zydeco what Beausoleil is to Cajun: an intelligent synthesis of the old and new that you can dance to. It's a shame the St. Augustine's Marching Hundred's raw and jumping version of "Li'l Liza Jane" didn't make the cut from film to album. And it's an even bigger shame that star Dennis Quaid's awful ballad did. --Richard Gehr

Customer Reviews

A lay person's "professional" review:
The purpose of any review is to say why a CD/movie/book is good or bad, not saying something like "don't waste your time" because "I, a person with 'credentials' says so" (oh, the arrogance of some folks!). As a person without "credentials" but with great taste in music and common sense regarding the rules of professional criticism, I would like to state why I happen to think this CD is good.

A) Because it covers a euphonious, rhythmical landscape filled with a wide range of music (and eras), including R&B, Cajun, Zydeco and Gospel. That makes it interesting and flavorful, as well as good listening for those who are fans of those musical genres. B) The music was picked by the filmmaker to create certain moods for certain scenes. So while some of the songs aren't necessarily the best overall representations for those kinds of music, they do have a strong impact of their own for anyone who has seen the film. It goes without saying, if you liked the film, you'll love the music because now you'll be able to get up and dance (well, I originally saw this in a cinema, so I had to contain myself at the time!). C) There are some GREAT songs here, especially the ones by The Swann Silvertones, Beausoleil, Buckwheat Zydeco and yes, Aaron Neville, whose interpretation of "Tell It Like It Is" is among the most beautiful soul ballads ever recorded. It makes my heart quiver! What more can I say?

It is a shame that St. Augustine's Marching Hundred didn't make the album, nor did the king of zydeco, Clifton Chernier, but this CD still offers one a great blend of staying-up-late music; either for partying, or for musing over the blues.

Telling it Like it is: Really Good Tunes
Being a Minnesotan, I wasn't exactly weaned on the musical traditions of New Orleans. I am a big fan of the movie, though, and on a whim purchased this soundtrack. Hundreds of listenings later, I can say that it is one of the finest musical compilations I've heard. I'm grateful to the movie's creators for exposing me to this fine genre of American music and highly recommend this disk.

And who would have guessed that Dennis Quaid could sing?

IF YOU LOVED THE MOVIE-GET THE SOUNDTRACK!!
CONTAGIOUSLY ENCHANTING!! THE BIG EASY WAS THE FIRST TIME I HEARD THIS FRENCH/SOUTHERN MUSIC. IT'S CHARMING!! THERE IS ONE SONG THAT IS MISSING THOUGH BUT ONLY A DIE HARD BIG EASY FAN WOULD NOTICE.AARRON NEVILLE SINGS THE HELL OUT OF "TELL IT LIKE IT IS "COLINDA" MAKES YOU WANT TO GET UP AND DANCE. I HAVE TO ADMIT DENNIS QUAID MAY BE WEAK BUT THE SONG IS SO EVOCATIVE OF THE MOVIE I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYONE ELSE SINGING IT.WORTH EVERY PENNY!!