"Good Night, And Good Luck" follows the legendary Edward R. Murrow (David Straithairn) during the broadcaster's on-air confrontations with Senator Joseph McCarthy. Murrow, the then host of the CBS series, "See It Now," exp... more »osed the infamous politician's deceit, bullying, and manipulation in one of history's most courageous moments of journalism, an act that helped bring an end to the tyranny of the blacklist and the House Un-American Activities Committee anti-Communist hearings. "Good Night, And Good Luck" is directed by George Clooney, who co-wrote the script with the film's producer Grant Heslov. Clooney also stars as CBS News producer Fred Friendly.
"Good Night, And Good Luck" is shot entirely in black and white, with much of the mood and atmosphere created by the smoky jazz soundtrack and the gorgeous vocal talents of three-time GRAMMY(r) Award-winner Dianne Reeves. Clooney handpicked each of the songs featured in the movie, which Reeves, one of the preeminent jazz vocalists in the world today, also performs on screen.
The soundtrack for "Good Night, And Good Luck" much of which was recorded live on film, features an original song, "Who's Minding the Store," along with such classics as "Too Close for Comfort," "Straighten Up and Fly Right," "One for My Baby," and "How High the Moon."« less
"Good Night, And Good Luck" follows the legendary Edward R. Murrow (David Straithairn) during the broadcaster's on-air confrontations with Senator Joseph McCarthy. Murrow, the then host of the CBS series, "See It Now," exposed the infamous politician's deceit, bullying, and manipulation in one of history's most courageous moments of journalism, an act that helped bring an end to the tyranny of the blacklist and the House Un-American Activities Committee anti-Communist hearings. "Good Night, And Good Luck" is directed by George Clooney, who co-wrote the script with the film's producer Grant Heslov. Clooney also stars as CBS News producer Fred Friendly.
"Good Night, And Good Luck" is shot entirely in black and white, with much of the mood and atmosphere created by the smoky jazz soundtrack and the gorgeous vocal talents of three-time GRAMMY(r) Award-winner Dianne Reeves. Clooney handpicked each of the songs featured in the movie, which Reeves, one of the preeminent jazz vocalists in the world today, also performs on screen.
The soundtrack for "Good Night, And Good Luck" much of which was recorded live on film, features an original song, "Who's Minding the Store," along with such classics as "Too Close for Comfort," "Straighten Up and Fly Right," "One for My Baby," and "How High the Moon."
"This is the Dianne Reeves record we've waited for her entire career. If you saw the movie, you'll remember the cutaways to Reeves in the recording studio. But even with no visual references, this is an unforgettable record of standards. Armed with just piano, bass, drums and sax, Reeves has a made a vocal jazz record so commanding, you just want to stop what you're doing and soak in it. It has the power to turn any room in your house into a smoky jazz club."
Just Wonderful!
terroh | OH | 11/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I thought the movie was excellent. But more than that I was captivated by the jazz singer who was singing in the recording studio in short scenes throughout the movie. Who WAS she? Well, after scanning the credits, I found out it was Dianne Reeves! Sadly to say, I'd never bought any music by her. Well, I've more than made up for it in the past few wks. She's a wonderful jazz singer. (I'd heard of her, but never actually listened to her before). The CD is allmost all Dianne (except for one instrumental cut) and there is more here than made it in the movie. My fav. cuts are: TV is the Thing This Year (had me bouncing in my seat in the theater!); Pick Yourself Up; You're Driving Me Crazy; Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall and There'll Be Another Spring. But they are ALL great! Even if you dont get to the movie, buy this CD! Great jazz singing."
Perfection and Paradise
Marie T. Franke | 10/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lots of people say that Dianne Reeves is the best jazz vocalist in the world...Grammy awards...etc. (which is why I guess George Clooney cast her in his film). While I like some jazz and have heard some of Reeves' albums and LOVE LOVE LOVE her Christmas album, some of her performances can be challenging to listen to if you're not a jazz expert and at times feel like art pieces. Well, this is jazz where every song every note and every breath is an easy listening paradise."
A Bit of History Perfectly Recreated by the Brilliant Dianne
Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 03/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are times when movie soundtracks are judged as souvenirs, readily available reminders of the impact a film had on the listener. But this CD of the 'soundtrack' of GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK is so very much more!
That Dianne Reeves is one of the most important jazz vocalists today is a given. Her voice is rich and golden, her stylish interpretations of the standards is never self-serving but always enhancing the poetry and musical line of the songs she renders. George Clooney is a lover of jazz - as was his subject for this film - and so it was a stroke of directorial genius that he make the soundtrack a series of personally selected songs as performed on screen in a smoking black and white recording setting with the beautiful Ms Reeves playing herself. Each of the songs she sings (in the film and hence on this CD) poignantly underlined the story development in a subtle but most impressive way.
Reeves here is without the grace of her visual appearance which adds so greatly to the film sequences, but her superior talent is focused on the songs she interprets and makes for a collection as fine as any she has previously released. This is a must own album - on many levels. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, March 06"
A triumph on many levels
rash67 | USA | 03/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is, ostensibly, a new soundtrack for a movie set in the '50's the Cool Jazz smokey ballad and pop performances by Dianne Reeves more than stand on their own as a classic Jazz standards album. She is Understated and lyrical. Warm. Like Nat King Cole. In the movie she appears, in 50's garb, on stage and in recording studio. A perfect fit. Were it not for the modern production, it could be the Jazz and pop classic album straight from 1954. I had not heared her before, but I will listen more carefully in the future.
stand out hits are "Pretend", "In my Solitude", "Straighten up and Fly Right", the wistful "How High the Moon", the unintentionally menacing "I've got my Eyes on You", the sinister "Gotta be This or That", the zany pean to the new media "TV is the thing this year" and the sad "One for my Baby". Not a bad cut on the album.
Highest recommendation for romantics.
Listening to this music alone, you'd never guess how well it is used to accent the movie. These tunes, individually handpicked by director George Clooney, subtly underscore the growing menace of a (50's) government, out of control, that tries to bully the citizens and media into supporting it's views without dissent.
Buy this CD just for the music, but see the movie, too. See it and think about it.