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Across the Universe Soundtrack

Across The Universe - Music From The Motion Picture

[ « Back ] THE MUSIC AND CHARACTERS IN DOZENS OF SONGS WRITTEN BY THE GREATEST SONGWRITERS OF ALL TIME PROVIDE BOTH THE SOUNDTRACK AND STORYLINE FOR ORIGINAL MOVIE MUSICAL

Across The Universe

The original movie musical Across The Universe, directed by Julie Taymor (Broadway's "The Lion King," Frida) and penned by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais (The Commitments), brings not only the music of the greatest songwriters of all time but also the characters and stories in their timeless songs--performed by the actors in the film--to the big screen.

Across The Universe: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Interscope Records) will be released September 18, 2007, in a single-CD edition of 16 selections and a two-CD Deluxe Edition with all 31 of the songs in the film in a special package, including an elaborate booklet boasting stills from the film. Revolution Studios' Across The Universe premieres September 14.

Beginning with over 200 songs by John Lennon & Paul McCartney, as well as George Harrison and Ringo Starr, the filmmakers eventually chose 30 songs that they felt best told the story of a generation. A love story set against the backdrop of the 1960s, turbulent years of anti-war protest, mind exploration and rock 'n' roll, Across The Universe is centered on characters heard in those songs, with the lyrics often part of the dialogue. Utilizing live action plus animation and digital effects, Across The Universe moves from the dockyards of Liverpool to Greenwich Village, the riot-torn streets of Detroit to Vietnam.

The film's stars, headed by Jim Sturgess as Jude, Golden Globe nominee Evan Rachel Wood (Thirteen) as Lucy, Joe Anderson as Max, Dana Fuchs as Sadie and Martin Luther as JoJo, as well as Salma Hayek, are joined by U2's Bono, rock icon Joe Cocker and well-known comedian Eddie Izzard. Bono performs "I Am The Walrus" as Dr. Robert (and "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" over the end titles); Cocker sings "Come Together" in three different guises--pimp, homeless man and hippie, and Izzard portrays circus ringleader Mr. Kite rendering "The Benefit Of Mr. Kite."

The other stars perform songs from the catalog of the songwriters who defined a generation, including, "Across The Universe," "Girl," "Helter Skelter," "Hold Me Tight," "All My Loving," "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "With A Little Help From My Friends," "It Won't Be Long," "I've Just Seen A Face," "Let It Be," "Why Don't We Do It In The Road," "If I Fell," "I Want You," "Dear Prudence," "Because," "Something," "Oh! Darling," "Strawberry Fields," "Revolution," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Happiness Is A Warm Gun," "Blackbird," "Hey Jude," "Don't Let Me Down" and "All You Need Is Love."

In addition, neo-psychedelic rockers The Secret Machines collaborated with Oscar-winning composer Elliot Goldenthal on their versions of "Flying" and "Blue Jay Way." Goldenthal also wrote the score to the film and produced and rearranged the rest of the 31 songs along with T-Bone Burnett and Matthias Gohl.

Taymor received two Tony Awards for her work on "The Lion King," making her the first woman to win a Tony for directing a musical. She then transitioned to movies, directing Titus in 1999 and Frida in 2002. The latter garnered six Academy Award nominations and won two, including for Best Original Score (with Goldenthal).

by Admin |