on the road, soundtrack

So this weekend I immersed myself in Jack Kerouac's On the Road. I followed it up with John Leland's Why Kerouac Matters: The Lessons of 'On the Road' (They're Not What You Think) which not only deepened my appreciation of Kerouac's novel but cleared up a lot of misconceptions about the book and Kerouac. One of my favorite aspects of the novel was the music and Leland compiled a great list of songs that Kerouac references. I thought I'd share.

The film version is in production now with director Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries) attached. I can't imagine anyone else who would be able to bring this to the screen but him.

Lover Man - Billie Holiday


Central Avenue Breakdown - Lionel Hampton


Cement Mixer - Slim Gaillard


Duke Ellington - C-Jam Blues


Red Norvo - Congo Blues


Perez Prado - Mambo Jambo


Blue Skies - Frank Sinatra


A Fine Romance - Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers


Hallelujah I'm a Bum - Al Jolson


Beethoven's Fidelio

from paris with love

Martin Witt has delivered many low-key, social dramas. My favorites are Sounder and Norma Rae which deliver the emotional goods in a quiet, understated way. 1961's Paris Blues is a fascinating glimpse of a bygone era, brilliantly scored by Duke Ellington, where American expatriates in Paris survive by playing jazz. Supposedly the heyday for jazz was over by then but it's a lovely imagining nonetheless--a glamorous romance with extremely appealing stars.

Paul Newman plays Ram Bowen, a talented trombonist who seems dissatisfied with his career. His cohort, Eddie Cook (Sidney Poitier), is another musician who moved to Paris to escape the violent racism of America. Their relationship is at times tense but otherwise knowing. They fall in love with two vacationing Americans, Lillian and Connie (Joanne Woodward and Diahann Carroll), who both challenge their life decisions.

The story is a bit flat and the pace is slow. But it's still an interesting watch for the great jazz, its frank discussions of racial identity and as a time capsule of the stylish, cool cat early '60s. The musical performances kick the film to life--including a brilliant cameo from Louis Armstrong.

-Jeffery Berg