The Commitments Soundtrack, 2 Vols.

"The Irish are the blacks of Europe. And Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland. And the Northside Dubliners are the blacks of Dublin. So say it once, say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud." --Jimmy Rabbitte, Jr. (Robert Arkins), Band Manager of The Commitments

The Commitments (1991), based on a novel by Roddy Doyle, is one of my favorite movies. The two-volume soundtrack of the film contains some of the best American soul music ever created by artists such as Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, and Isaac Hayes. The surprise of the movie and the CD is that you don't expect this music to be so well rendered by young, unknown, Irish musicians. But it is.

The film's large cast includes pretty much 

every breed of Irish cat.

The Commitments is a coming-of-age/romantic comedy/concert movie, and the CDs are a translation of classic soul music into the consciousness of a new generation. Soul music purists may not approve of this, but I say that whatever moves music across generational, ethnic, national, species, or any other kind of barrier is a good thing for everyone.

Sixteen-year-old Andrew Strong plays Deco, the lead singer, and his vocal style reminded me of Joe Cocker. Stray cats everywhere will be able to relate to Strong's renditions of "The Dark End of the Street" and "Try a Little Tenderness." 

Natalie (Maria Doyle, left) and Imelda (Angeline Ball, foreground) won my little cat heart with "I Never Loved a Man" and "I Can't Stand the Rain." Lovely ladies, take me in for a saucer of milk!
Hear Doyle at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zASDQq2zsM


The movie includes some really funny musical moments:

During tryouts, Jimmy Rabbitte, Sr. (Colm Meany), channels Elvis Presley at the dinner table.

Startled by the drums, Bernie's (Bronagh Gallagher) little brother screams all during rehearsal.

Joey "The Lips" Fagin (Johnny Murphy) teaches the Nipple Method of playing sax.

Good film, great music. I give both of them four paws straight up!Peace Out!