Producers: Jimmy Hilliard (tracks 1, 11); Tommy LiPuna; Frank Filipetti and Marty Paich; Denny Cordell; Marc Shaiman and Harry Connick, Jr.; Billy Sherrill; David Foster.
Compilation producers: Marc Shaiman, Nicholas Meyers.
Includes liner notes by Nora Ephron.
Personnel: Clive Griffin, Dr. John, Gene Autry, Jimmy Durante, Joe Cocker, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Rickie Lee Jones, Tammy Wynette, Carly Simon, Cline Dion (vocals).
Audio Mixer: Humberto Gatica.
Liner Note Author: Nora Ephron.
Arrangers: Harry Connick, Jr.; Jeremy Lubbock; Marc Shaiman; David Foster.
Nowadays, when a director makes a film, the priority seems to lie as much in the managing of the movie's genesis as it is in creating a perfect soundtrack. While the script, the actors and the production values can establish a film's mood and direction, a well-sculpted soundtrack can seal that feeling, adding the final piece to a successful puzzle. When successful, soundtracks can even add an extra dimension to the finished project. The soundtrack to SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE is such a triumph, working precisely beacuse of the sustained, timeless romanticism of its collection of standards.
This romantic film required an ageless repetoire. Thus, the songs that were chosen all bear a distinct lyrical and melodic focus. The love story on the screen also demanded sentimentalism, so the producers went straight to the source--the movies--and brought back some of Hollywood's most endearing chestnuts. Great writers like Harry Ruby, Oscar Hammerstein, Hoagy Carmichael and Jule Styne are represented with an eclectic assortment of unique interpretations by the likes of Jimmy Durante, Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole. These standard-bearers are joined by current artists like Rickie Lee Jones, Joe Cocker and Celine Dion, who put their own stamp on some well-chosen classics--particularly Cocker, whose throaty take on "Blackbird" is a modern blues gem.
These are all dinner and candlelight songs; tunes that either set a romantic mood, or are meant to transport the listener to another time. And with such well-crafted ballads as "When I Fall In Love," "As Time Goes By" and "Stardust," the soundtrack to SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE will either engender the listener's appreciation for the great songwriting talents of yesteryear, or send them looking for the phone number of that long-forgotten, special someone.
