Living Out Loud: Original Soundtrack Recording
The burning question for this soundtrack is, Can rapper Queen Latifah handle the vocal demands a Pearl Bailey-ish character singing standards by Billy Strayhorn, Irving Gordon, and Randazzo & Weinstein? The answer is yes. Her rendering of Strayhorn's "Lush Life" is particularly pleasant, and is produced and arranged beautifully by Mervyn Warren, who did most of the work on the album. Danny DeVito takes a stab at the Gershwins' "They Can't Take That Away from Me" and delivers it adequately, with a touch of charm. The disc also includes originals by Sly & the Family Stone, Dean Martin, and Mel Tormé. The only drawback is the slightly Muzak-like smooth-jazz score by George Fenton, presented in snippets at the end.--Aaron Tassano