FOOTLOOSE - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2011)

The producers of this album probably know that it will almost be impossible to surpass the success of the 1984 soundtrack. After all, the original nine track album reached Number One on the Billboard 200 Pop Album chart within three months of its release. Besides that, there were three Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits, including two #1 hits. One of them was Kenny Loggins’ signature tune “Footloose”.

Here, Blake Shelton covers the movie’s titular song, and although it may be not be a classic like the original, we enjoyed it, probably as much as the American country music artist enjoyed recording it.

The 46 minute album contains 12 tracks, eight of which are new songs. Besides the title song, the other three remakes from the original version are “Holding Out for a Hero” (Ella Mae Bowen takes over Bonnie Tyler for a more emotionally charged rendition), “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” (Jana Kramer gives Deniece Williams a run for his money with this version with a Southern grit), and “Almost Paradise” (Victoria Justice and Hunter Hayes perform a duet which may appeal to younger listeners better than Mike Reno and Ann Wilson’s version).

While fans may miss other songs on the near 30 year old soundtrack, they may just be as pleased with the inclusion of the new songs here. Especially enjoyable is “Fake I.D.”, a contagiously upbeat track performed by American country music duo Big & Rich, featuring Grammy Award winning Gretchen Wilson. It is one track which you will find yourself dancing to at a party.

Elsewhere, folk artiste Zac Brown performs the affecting “Where The River Goes”, while folk rock artiste Lissie tones things down a little with the soothing “Little Lovin’”. Renowned rapper Cee Lo Green also contributes the twang worthy “Walkin’ Blues” which features guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepard’s performance. The album closes on a very contemporary note with American rapper David Banner’s “Dance the Night Away”. The techno beats may not go down well with fans of the original 1984 movie, but it will definitely introduce more people to the Footloose sensation.     

ALBUM RATING:

Recommended Track: (7) Fake I.D. – Big & Rich featuring Gretchen Wilson

Review by John Li