Search - Star Wars Cantina Orchestra :: Star Wars: Cocktails In The Cantina

Hangin' in the lounge with Han 'n' Chewie

Zagnorch | Terra, Sol System | 12/31/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sheesh... first disco, then jazz, then techno-dance, and now this. The musical score of the 'Star Wars' trilogy has been re-worked into so many different musical genres it's ridiculous. 'Cocktails In The Cantina' features the umpteenth 'update' of John Williams' watermark scores, this time in the genre of big-band/swing cocktail lounge tracks. Still, if ever there was a good way for a Gen-X Star Wars fanboy to find a common ground with granny & gramps, this collection of soundtrack conversions just might be the thing you need to help bridge that pesky generation gap! Of course, you might wanna hide the liner notes featuring pics of porn queen Jasmin St. Claire, especially if you wish to avoid explaining her 'day job', should they start askin' too many questiions...But, back to the subject. I found 'Cocktails' to be a surprisingly enjoyable listen. The Evil Genius Orchestra's renditions sounded like they'd fit right in as part of the atmosphere in those classic 40s & 50s detective flick scenes that take place at the local mob-front nightclub! One listen to the revamped 'Darth Vader's Theme' or the 'Throne Room' & 'End Title', and I was gettin' ready to cut a rug with the best of 'em! There're also a few laid-back tunes to slow-dance or just plain mellow out to, including an amazingly downbeat 'Cantina Band' number, and the gentle 'Yoda's Theme'. All in all, this collection is a beautifully balanced combo of fast and slow tunes, which can be enjoyed by both 'Star Wars' fans and cocktail tune aficionados alike!'Late"

Groovy!

11/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first listened to the previews of this CD on this site, I couldn't help but burst out laughing. It was Star Wars, but it was definitely different. I've always been a Jazz fan as well as a John Williams/Star Wars fan, so the two combined made me quite happy. I love all the songs, especially the Imperial March and the Asteroid Field, both of which are pretty fast moving and still retain alot of the feeling that you get when you listen to the real soundtracks. I highly recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys a good laugh, or is just a Jazz nut!"

The Star Wars movies are fun and so is this recording.

Zagnorch | 05/20/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is definately a tongue-in-cheek CD. I am a long time fan of John Williams and have some of his soundtracks from the early 60's. Some of these arrangements sound like they could fit in in those scores. He did after all start out as a jazz pianist and wrote early scores that were jazz/lounge in flavor. As a composer he is not a snob about his own music and I think he would enjoy this cd. All you have to do is remember some of his Boston Pops shows. Some of the music he arranged for the show was very tongue-in-cheek just like on this cd. Have fun with this one!"