Tom Waits And Crystal Gayle – One From The Heart

Numbered, limited edition 180-gram LP

This seemingly unlikely paring of Waits and Gale produced a marvelous soundtrack for Francis Ford Coppola's film, One from the Heart. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Original Music Score. One from the Heart ranks among the best soundtracks in history. Essential for any Tom Waits or Crystal Gayle devotee.

Written by Waits, the music occupies a common ground between laidback small-combo jazz, lounge pop, and downbeat blues. Classy string orchestrations abet a crack ensemble comprised of saxophonist Terry Edwards, drummer Shelly Manne, pianist Pete Jolly, bassist Greg Cohen, and others. The arrangements seamlessly melt into both vocalists' leads, allowing every note — every piano clink, acoustic bass ripple, brushed snare drum — to register with utmost magnitude.

Experienced on stunning soliloquy pieces such as Gayle's mournful ballad "Is There Any Way Out of This Dream?" and back-and-forth collaborative efforts like the breakup take "Picking Up After You," beautiful instrumentation, spacious production, and flawless vocal phrasing take hold.