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| The ‘Desperate Housewives’ characters played by Eva Longoria (left), Terri Hatcher, Marcia Cross and Felicity Huffman each receives a personal theme song on the show’s soundtrack. (Photo courtesy ABC) |
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HOME > SOVO SCENE > MUSIC
By: MIKE FLEMING
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EGOTISTICAL DIVAS BATTLING for supremacy, country girls in the big city, soulful sirens with secrets and rocker chicks ready to throw down are in store for eager fans.
No, it’s not the next episode of ‘Desperate Housewives.’ It’s the hit TV show’s surprisingly well-conceived soundtrack.
Released in December, “Music from and Inspired by ‘Desperate Housewives’” grabbed the expected attention of gay men. We love gay creator Marc Cherry’s show about fabulous women who stop at nothing to get their way, and we are the most likely targets for songs by artists including Gloria Estefan, Broadway smash Idina Menzel (“Rent,” “Wicked”), LeAnne Rimes and Shania Twain.
But our lesbian sisters have reasons to get “Desperate” as well. Even if they don’t watch the TV show, female fans can revel in the CD’s inclusion of lesbian artists kd lang and Indigo Girls plus rocker Liz Phair.
Rare are the musicians that appeal to both the male and female gay bents, but the hearty voices of Joss Stone, Martina McBride and Macy Gray should please most listeners.
Cherry oversaw the song sele-ctions, which include perfectly chosen classic covers and original hits, each with elements of female empowerment and of course, desperation.
Fans are already familiar with composer Danny Elfman’s whimsical theme for the show, which appears on the CD. Instrumental tracks for each “Housewife” also punctuate the album and define distinct sections of its playlist.
Elfman, who went from ‘80s Brit-pop band Oingo Boingo to become known for his TV and movie themes including “The Simpsons,” “Nightmare Before Christmas” and many others, expertly sets the tone for the album with “Mary Alice,” a nod
to the show’s unseen narrator. The band SHeDAISY follows with the aptly titled ditty, “God Bless the American Housewife.”
But the ball really gets rolling after “Edie,” the theme for the bitchy serial divorcee played by Nicollette Sheridan. Shania Twain’s undeniable voice follows with “Shoes,” and the ‘60s classic “Band of Gold” gets a makeover by Anna Nalick.
After a musical interlude for “Lynette,” Phair provides one of the CD’s highlights with a remake of the Rolling Stones’ “Mother’s Little Helper,” and Indigo Girls have their trademark fun covering Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson.” McBride doesn’t add anything new to “Harper Valley PTA,” but the song’s inherent appeal is perfect for the soundtrack.
The CD hits its stride with a section of songs starting with “Bree,” an ode to Marcia Cross’ uptight character. Standouts include Rimes letting that famous voice rip on the hauntingly beautiful “We’re Running Out of Time,” and Joss Stone proving her pipes on “Treat Me Right (I’m Yours for Life).”
The selections following “Gabrielle” are among the most impressive. Macy Gray lends her signature growl to “Boom Boom,” and Estefan adds depth to “Young Hearts Run Free” on her cover of the Rod Stewart classic.
AFTER A FUN ride with “Susan,” the best of the character themes, Menzel shows her chops on “Damsel in Distress,” and lang, sure to make the replay list on any compilation album she graces, offers “Dream of the Everyday Housewife.”
Cherry and his collaborators should be commended for putting together a CD that is toe-tappingly strong throughout. With the show’s popularity, it would be easy to crank out and sell a disc with the show’s stars on the cover and any old playlist. But producers went out of their way to organize the CD and select songs with an exacting ear for appropriate content and listenability.
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