Joe Stilgoe - Songs On Film: The Sequel - Jazzwise

Having had the pleasure of attending the album launch for Songs On Film: The Sequel on board the Good Ship Benefit at Victoria Embankment, what came across most forcibly was not only film buff Joe Stilgoe's evident love of this material, but also the infectious joy of performing it with trusted cohorts, bassist Tom Farmer and drummer Ben Reynolds. Hearing the songs back on terra firma, expertly produced and mixed by James McMillan, only serves to confirm this impression. Highlights include the cheery Monsters, Inc. duet 'If I Didn't Have You' (the song which finally bagged an Oscar for Randy Newman) featuring special guest Curtis Stigers, an incredibly touching 'Falling Slowly' which sees the Stilgoe falsetto used to impressive effect, the invigorating blast of 'The Rhythm Of Life' and the yacht rock classic, 'Arthur's Theme'. Stilgoe contributes his own homage to the silver screen with the chirpy 'What's On?' and replays the soundtrack to his childhood with the ingenious '1980s Medley'.