Original Soundtrack - Across The Universe [Deluxe Edition]

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE - MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE DELUXE - 2 DISC VERSION

A love story set in the 1960's amid the turbulent years of anti-war protest, mind exploration and rock `n roll. Jude (Jim Sturgess) and Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), along with a small group of friends and musicians, are swept up into the emerging anti-war and counterculture movements with "Dr. Robert" (Bono) and "Mr. Kite" (Eddie Izzard) as their guides.

FEATURING SONGS FROM THE GREATEST SONGWRITERS OF ALL TIME, PERFORMED BY THE CAST INCLUDING EVAN RACHEL WOOD, JIM STURGESS, DANA FUCHS, MARTIN LUTHER McCOY, BONO, JOE COCKER AND EDDIE IZZARD

Package art will incorporate stills from pivotal scenes from the movie and a 16-page folder foldout poster with a strawberry image. Album Description

 Great CD but missing a couple things
I first saw this movie in April of 2008 (not sure how I missed it when it was in the theater), and was blown away by it. I love all the renditions of classic Beatles' songs. The soundtrack, like the movie, evokes such a range of emotions and stands out in the mind as one of those movies you'll never forget (and like an album that keeps getting better with each listen). It instantly became one of my top ten favorites. If you're a child of the 60's, this will be a very enjoyable trip down memory lane as you revisit some great songs with an updated flair that does primo justice to the original songs while still making them palatable to a younger audience. Brilliantly composed and arranged! Two thumbs up and five stars for the arrangement and quality of presentation!

The album is sequenced in virtually the same order as the songs appear in the film (which I was very happy to see), with the exception of "Flying", which (in the movie) appears in the final credits. This CD is also missing two great songs from the film; "I want You (She's So Heavy)" and "Why Don't We Do It In The Road". This is partly why the soundtrack earned a 4 star review from me instead of 5.

Apparently there is a 31 song version of this album out there so I would advise looking for that if you want the complete soundtrack. "I Want You" was (arguably) one of the most memorable songs from the film and I can't fathom why they would leave it off the deluxe edition.

My only other minor disappointment with the soundtrack (also leading to my 4 star review) is the fact that some of the vocals are a little different from the movie versions, which is a slight disappointment. For example, on "Hey Jude", (though the album version is extremely close to the movie version) I loved the harmony part of Jude's mother in the film, but on the soundtrack she is not there and her part is replaced by - I think it's - Jim Sturgess' voice. It still sounds awesome (as Jim's voice is definitely cool), but I wish they had kept it in total harmony with the film. The guy playing the garbage cans is also absent from the track (not a big disappointment there, but if you're looking for a direct likeness to the film, just note that it's missing). Also, on "I Want You", the soundtrack misses the strong part of the soldiers singing along with their synchronized marching steps, which was so dramatic in the film. Without it, the song comes across as much softer on the CD. BUMMER! I really missed that in the album version (almost made me want to record it directly off the DVD). Instead of the soldier's singing, it appears to be Dana Fuchs (Sadie) harmonizing the part. Again, still sounds really cool (as I love Dana's powerful voice), but I still wish the movie version was there instead (and not to worry... T.V. Carpio's part is still there as it should be).

Aside from these minor drawbacks, the soundtrack is solid and definitely one of my new favorites. I love Bono's performances of "Lucy in the Sky" and "I Am The Walrus". The vocal sounds of the cast singing "Because" even top the Beatles in my opinion. It's beautiful! "I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends" also blows the Beatles' version away in my opinion. "Strawberry Fields Forever" follows the original quite well and sounds great. In fact, all of these songs are excellent arrangements, dare I say BETTER than the originals that they were inspired from - but some will certainly argue that point with me. I dug the originals but I love these new versions. The updated versions do not deviate from the original melodies and virtually all of the familiar components of the songs are there with only some slight modifications to the background arrangements. Whether your a Beatles fan or not, this is a great CD! There's enough solid likeness to the original songs for fans of those originals, but for those of a younger generation who are perhaps unfamiliar with them these are definitely pleasing to the ear and will keep those classics alive for years to come!

GREAT CD!!! Worth purchasing, though my only advice is to try and find the 31 song edition with "I Want You" and "Why Don't We Do It In The Road". Be advised, this Amazon-sold edition is missing those two great sounding songs. May 6, 2008

 Across The Universe
This sound track was outstanding. I enjoyed the movie and now I can listen to the soundtrack now everywhere I go. I bought 2 and it was almost the same price as 1 in the store around here. My friend enjoyed her,s too. Thanks Douglas May 5, 2008

 nice car music
My kids (aged 11 and 13) love this CD and have the music on their ipod. Their friends love it too. I'm trying to get the Beatles' version out of the library. Myself, I would have preferred the versions of the songs in the movie (isn't that what original soundtrack means?). May 2, 2008

 Love the music!!
I just recently bought this CD and absolutely love it!! All of the songs that were in the film were in this CD. Although these songs are sung by the actors and are tweeked a bit from the original, I believe that some of the original beetle songs were better. It would have been cool if the original beetle songs sung in Across the Universe were in a CD, but the songs on here are still great!! April 30, 2008

 Bargain and Amazing songs
If you like the Beatles you should like them with a twist. It's the same passion and emotion just with a make-over. April 29, 2008

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