VA - Fame (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2019)

Fame was a film directed by Alan Parker, a serious auteur (some would say overly serious, especially in light of the work that came later) who designed the film for posterity, and the same attitude carried over to the music. Yes, the production techniques often do sound dated -- the over-reliance on state-of-the-art synthesizer ironically now sounds helplessly tied to the year of its creation -- but the music by Michael Gore is dynamic, varied, and alive, sung with real passion and vigor, and it still retains its essential spark 23 years after it was a pop culture phenomenon. Sure, it's glitzy and glossy, sounding like show tunes, but that's the tradition of this music, and it was done better than most Broadway tunes and movie soundtracks of the '80s. Years later, this still has the spark and vitality of kids trying to make their big break, no matter the kind of music they're singing, and that's one of the main reasons (along with Gore's fine compositions) Fame retains its power and entertainment value years later. [On the 2013 reissue by WaterTower, three bonus tracks were included: instrumental versions of "Out Here on My Own" and "Fame," along with the yearning ballad "Miles from Here."]

Tracklist:
01. Irene Cara - Fame
02. Irene Cara - Out Here On My Own
03. Irene Cara - Hot Lunch Jam
04. Paul McCrane - Dogs In the Yard
05. Linda Clifford - Red Light
06. Paul McCrane - Is It Okay If I Call You Mine?
07. Contemporary Gospel Chorus The High School Of Music And Art - Never Alone
08. Michael Gore - Ralph and Monty (Dressing Room Piano)
09. Laura Dean - I Sing the Body Electric
10. Paul McCrane - Miles from Here
11. Michael Gore - Out Here On My Own
12. Michael Gore - Fame