Soundtrack - Dreamgirls
(2007)

Review by Madison Turner

There's nothing that gets me more excited than a good musical. I'll guiltily admit that I've watched almost every predictable musical/dance flick - and I'm proud of it. We always know there's a happy ending, we always know theres one performer whose a bitch grows to respect her arch enemy. We know that's how it plays, but that's why they're so damn good!

The latest one out of the blocks is the much hyped (an awarded) broadway-turned-Hollywood hit,  Dreamgirls. If you enjoyed the movie, you will love the Dreamgirls' soundtrack. With ditties ranging from the Motown era, to the disco sounds of the 70's, this is jam packed with some really catchy songs.

The movie follows the story of the 'Dreamettes' an all girl Motown style group who, in the early 1960's, make it big (first as the back up singers to James Early) and then on their own as a powerhouse singing group. Based loosely on the story of Diana Ross and the Supremes rise to fame, the soundtrack follows the sequential order of the movie so the story (often told through song in the movie anyway) carries through on CD.  You hear the music styles change over the years and the crumbling of success and friendships.

Featuring Grammy award winner Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy (who proves he can do more than just  comedy, although his tunes are nowhere near as enjoyable to listen to outside the context of the film as that of the girls) - this is a great way to hear these movie stars as you never have before (besides Beyonce of course, this is hearing her how she always is...stunning!). 

The cast sing their own songs adding an extra bit of credibility to proceedings, but by far the superstar of this movie and subsequent soundtrack is Jennifer Hudson. This girl can sing, and sing she does - blowing Beyonce away. 

Hudson, as Effie White, who is pushed aside as lead singer for the prettier Deena Jones, played by Beyonce, has all the big tunes. Her rendition of And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going is powerful and full of emotion and easily the stand-out on the soundtrack.  

Love You I Do is playful and fun. It's All Over allows all the singers to shine, and is great to hear Beyonce and Hudson pitted against each in what is ultimately an argument expressed through song. One Night Only is disco at it's best, which somehow manages to transport you to places like Studio 66 in the 1970's. The ballad Listen, one of four original songs written for the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical is superb which allows Beyonce to illustrate why she is one of the singing superstars of today - so much so that the song was nominated for a Golden Globe for best original song.

If you enjoy the music of Diana Ross, Jackson 5 and other Motown stars then Dreamgirls is sure to entertain. 

Overall this soundtrack is great reminder of a wonderful film, and more importantly, a great reminder of why Jennifer Hudson is so good - and why she will be the next musical powerhouse in R&B music.

It's not only a dream - it's the Supremes!

RATING: 4 out of 5