Above-average easy listening (Songs From Ally Mcbeal - Vonda Shepard - Soundtrack)

Member Name: Wezzo

Product:	Songs From Ally Mcbeal - Vonda Shepard - Soundtrack
Date:	09/04/08 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Generally consistent, Vonda's vocals are excellent, pretty cheap nowadays

Disadvantages: A few mediocre cover versions

One of the hallmarks of David E. Kelley's comedy-drama "Ally McBeal" was the frequent use of popular music - in particular, canon pop and easy-listening tunes re-jigged by middle-tier soulstress Vonda Shepard. Most episodes would end with the titular Ally reflecting on the episode's events while a lyrically-appropriate Vonda ballad played; while Vonda herself would frequently show up in to perform more upbeat tracks in the local bar.

"Songs From Ally McBeal" - the first of what would go on to be four such compilations - compiles fourteen tracks originally used in the first two seasons of the show. There's nothing ground-breaking here - indeed, the tracklist reads like a Classic FM playlist - but Vonda is a stellar performer and brings a new lease of life to many of the old standards present.

To no-one's great surprise, "Ally McBeal"'s theme tune "Searchin' My Soul" kicks off the album, one of the set's few originals. Lyrically it's a pretty transparent attempt at representing the crossroads the titular Ally has come to ("Oh, I believe I am ready for what love has to bring".. "I've been searching my soul tonight, I know there's so much more to life"), but the music is solid and it's a memorable tune, which is all that can be realistically expected of a theme tune.

With track 2, we head straight for the cover versions. "Ask the Lonely" (originally by The Four Tops) is one of the album's standouts - Vonda's vocals are on top form and the arrangement is wisely kept similar to the original. It's wonderfully melancholy and some stellar backing vocals ensure it's one of the album's most memorable cuts. Same goes for "Walk Away Renee": there's nothing mind-blowing about this particular version of the Left Banke classic, but that works in its favour and the end result is an above-average rendition that recalls the original while, thanks to more of Vonda's stellar vocal work, never feeling like a re-tread.

"Hooked On A Feeling" (originally by BJ Thomas and made famous by Blue Swede) continues the album's trend of solid, if unsurprising, re-imaginings of old standards. It's one of the most upbeat tracks here, and once again some nice backing vocals elevate it into above-average territory. The dance beat contrasts nicely with the following ballad, "You Belong To Me" (made famous by Jo Stafford), which shines thanks to yet another quality Shepard vocal.

"The Wildest Times Of The World" is perhaps one of the album's more unusual tracks - it's still firmly in Radio 2 territory but breaks with the verse/chorus/verse/chorus structure of most of its peers here, and it's all the better for it. Not coincidentally it's also another of the Shepard originals: and while hearing her versions of older material, it's on self-penned tracks like this that she comes across best. Oh, and the "hey! / hey! hey!" outro will burn into your brain after just one listen, honest to God. (I speak from experience.)

"Someone You Use" follows. A bit of Internet research informs me this is in fact another Vonda original - which surprises me, but I suppose given its midtempo-by-numbers structure it's no surprise that it sounds very familiar. It's still eminently listenable though; just not particularly memorable either.

Another cover next, this time of Skeeter Davis' "The End of the World" (not the R.E.M. song, though that would be a laugh), another mournful ballad that contrasts nicely with the original - and upbeat - track nine, "Tell Him".

"Neighborhood" is up next - and, as any fan of "Ally McBeal" will tell you, it's one of the show's defining tracks, clips having being put to good use in both the pilot and series finale, as well as at many emotional landmarks along the way. The full-length version here lives up to expectations; it's one of the compilation's finest ballads, and the lyrics ("Here's a photo I've been looking for / It's a picture of the boy next door") will surely bring many memories flooding back for "McBeal" fans.

Unfortunately, in a contrast to the wonderful "Neighborhood", the album's final third is perhaps its weakest and most forgettable. A too-slow rendition of Dusty Springfield's "I Only Wanna Be With You" and a mediocre original entitled "Will You Marry Me?" are only partially redeemed by a pleasant cover of Cher's "It's In His Kiss" and the atmospheric closer, "Maryland", which vaguely recalls the album's earlier, and other slightly-left-field, "Wildest Times Of The World", and sees Vonda's vocals uncharacteristically - but effectively - restrained.

The CD, now approaching ten years since release, can be found for under £5 easily on Amazon marketplace or PlayTrade (mine was found on the former for a bargainous £2.70 including P&P). There's nothing special about the packaging - standard jewel case, including a booklet with the lyrics.

If you're a fan of "Ally" and/or easy listening with female vocals, this is worth a shot; if you're more adventurous with your music, you'll probably be inclined to pass on this, though "Wildest Times Of The World", "Neighborhood" and "Maryland" are worth the minimal asking price alone in my opinion. Recommended.

Summary: A solid collection that most will enjoy to some extent or other