Most soundtracks for movie blockbusters are a mixed bag, and this one is no exception. The Ali soundtrack is heavily weighted toward R&B, and on that front the album is a success, despite R. Kelly's two horrendously sa... more »ccharine power ballads. There's no denying the greatness of classic tracks like Aretha Franklin's supremely melancholy "Ain't No Way" and Al Green's live rendition of "A Change Is Gonna Come," and David Elliot continues the old-school theme, with a warm and bluesy remake of "Bring It On Home to Me." Alicia Keyes's "Fight" channels the '70s vibe of James Brown's Funky People, and the fabulous Angie Stone breaks it down and keeps it moving with "20 Dollars." Things go awry when it comes to the rock & roll selections. Everlast's blues-rock posturing on "The Greatest" is irksome, and the Watchtower Four's remake of the classic Bob Dylan song "All Along the Watchtower" (done best by Jimi Hendrix) is a travesty. Topnotch contributions by cello virtuoso Martin Tillman, former Dead Can Dance vocalist Lisa Gerrard, and Afropop superstar Salif Keita help balance things out. --Rebecca Levine« less
Most soundtracks for movie blockbusters are a mixed bag, and this one is no exception. The Ali soundtrack is heavily weighted toward R&B, and on that front the album is a success, despite R. Kelly's two horrendously saccharine power ballads. There's no denying the greatness of classic tracks like Aretha Franklin's supremely melancholy "Ain't No Way" and Al Green's live rendition of "A Change Is Gonna Come," and David Elliot continues the old-school theme, with a warm and bluesy remake of "Bring It On Home to Me." Alicia Keyes's "Fight" channels the '70s vibe of James Brown's Funky People, and the fabulous Angie Stone breaks it down and keeps it moving with "20 Dollars." Things go awry when it comes to the rock & roll selections. Everlast's blues-rock posturing on "The Greatest" is irksome, and the Watchtower Four's remake of the classic Bob Dylan song "All Along the Watchtower" (done best by Jimi Hendrix) is a travesty. Topnotch contributions by cello virtuoso Martin Tillman, former Dead Can Dance vocalist Lisa Gerrard, and Afropop superstar Salif Keita help balance things out. --Rebecca Levine
The Dawg | Lancaster, Pa United States | 05/16/2002
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I ran right out and bought this immediately after watching the film, hoping that the wonderful ambient/trippy stuff, like the theme playing over the credits, would be on here. No such luck. This is basically a rhythm and blues primer...well done, but if you're looking for the wonderful "out there" music that ran throughout the movie, forget it. It ain't here. Too bad too...that's what I wanted. Oh well. Live and learn."
The World's Greatest Is Waiting For You
The Dawg | 12/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This soundtrack was by the far the most inspirational soundtrack I have ever heard. R. Kelly's "World's Greatest" brings me from the bottom to the top. I listen to the soundtrack before basketball and volleyball games and any time whether I'm feeling great or awful, it inspires me to pick my head up. I cannot wait until the new movie Ali comes out, but if you're someone who appreciates a good soundtrack with balance and variety, this is definitely a must."
Great CD
Aka Alias | 12/23/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I purchased the Ali soundtrack for my son, who was wishing for a copy of A Change Is Gonna Come. Little did I know, I had discovered 24K GOLD. My thirty something son, his wife and I were all blown away by ALL of the tracks. Mostly old school revisited, it is "The Greatest" piece of work that I've heard in a very long time.
If you were ever a fan of the old jamming and grooving R&B of the 60s-70s (like Sam & Dave, Booker T and the MGs, ReRe, etc.) you must not miss this one. I intend to buy copies for other friend?s and relatives just to hear them groan with the agony of remembering ?the way back when, in the long ago?.
BTW, there are some newbies (well new to me) here too that are spectacular-like Ms Angie Stone and her $$-absolutely fantastic!!! Frankly I had stopped buying new music, preferring to try to find a turntable to dust off, but I will be on the lookout hence forth for some of these newer artist that have definitely picked up the FUNK!"
Ali orginal soundtrack
Amy Diehl | Gardner, KS United States | 06/13/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Buy this CD completely for the song "Tomorrow" by Salif Keita. It is a melodic song perfect for relaxation. The rest of the cd is tolerable."
This Soundtrack is just plain WRONG
ariasun | Pompano Beach, Florida United States | 01/03/2002
(1 out of 5 stars)
"The music should have been in alignment with the era of Ali's reign, not a pop culture pseudo retrospect. What do Bilal or R. Kelly have to do with ALI as a man? The greatest injustice to me was not using Sam Cooke's original music. I understand that there were problems with rights to publication and use, but for this movie - to truly illustrate the friendship, respect and love that these two had, Sam's music should have been used. I was seriously disappointed."