THE OTHER STUFF Sometimes we review stuff that interests us, even though it's not hard rock, heavy metal or punk. This is the Other Stuff

BETTE MIDLER

"The Rose: The Original Soundterack Recording" (JDC; 1979)

Reviewed by Snidermann

Here is my story about the soundtrack to "The Rose": The year is 1980, and a girl, Krystn, that my parents knew, came to live with our family because of budget cuts to her high school. Middle class, shag green carpet, 42-inch color TV; comfortable, loving, and warm. We got free HBO for one week (and, when I was growing up, that was a big deal). It was 7:00pm or so and Krystn is a big-time (and I mean big-time) Bette Midler fan. Me, at the time, I couldn't have pulled her out of a line up.

This scene is etched in my memory: Krystn is right in front of the color TV with a big pillow under her and she is going to watch "The Rose." The movie starts and so does the swearing. My family—ultra-conservative, ultra-Christian, no smoking, no drinking. They played cards and went to the movies (yes, cards and movies).

My father, H. Dean Snider, was not happy that such "disgusting filth" is coming out of his TV. My Dad was a loving person, not too strong. He left the room and Krystn and I proceeded to watch the movie. The movie is about a female rock star struggling with fame, drugs, booze, and men. It is loosely based on the life of Janice Joplin. In fact, the filmmakers wanted to name it "Pearl" and base on the life of the artist, however Joplin's estate would not allow it. So, they renamed the movie "The Rose." So Joplin's life inspired the movie, but it was not biography.

The soundtrack is good, solid, rock'n'roll. Heavy guitar, both bass and six string, and it would sound great on stage (and that is just what happened).

All in all, the movie itself is sub-par and the best part of the movie is the soundtrack. I have played it many times in the past 24 hours, and each time it gets better. It is a snapshot of music of the 70s and it paints it perfectly. They don’t have music like this anymore and they really don’t do it the way The Divine Miss M did it in 1979.

I really don’t like soundtracks to movies much; however, my taste is changing just a bit, and "The Rose" with Bette Milder is ranked right up there with the best.

So bottom line: good music but a lower than average movie.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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