Good Vocals In Allen Musical

Various artists

“The Original Soundtrack Recording: Everyone Says I Love You” (RCA/Victor)

Always a music-conscious director, Woody Allen more than ever indulges his passion for pop, jazz, and big-band standards in his latest film, which happens to be his first musical. Allen and music director Dick Hyman managed to wrangle surprisingly good vocal performances from some of the film’s stars, including Alan Alda (“Looking At You”), Billy Crudup (“Cuddle Up A Little Closer”), Goldie Hawn (“I’m Thru With Love”), Ed Norton (“Just You, Just Me” and “My Baby Just Cares For Me”), Julia Roberts (“All My Life”) and Tim Roth (“If I Had You”). Allen himself turns in a passable version of “I’m Thru With Love.” More than a mere showcase for actors-turned-singers, however, “Everyone Says I Love You” is a slice of Americana and a seamlessly entertaining soundtrack.

Bjork

“Telegram” (Elektra)

This album of remixes of Bjork’s “Post” album is more than a series of new treatments of familiar tunes. It is a complete recasting of the album in new - and wildly entertaining - musical settings, from percussionist Evelyn Glennie’s “exhaust pipes” rendition of “My Spine” to the Brodsky Quartet’s strings treatment of “Hyperballad” to Outcast’s electrifying “Enjoy.” An album that sheds new light on the compositional genius of an artist who is more renowned for her singular voice and offbeat sensibilities than for the sheer quality of her writing.