Shrek

by

Various Artists

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I docked them a star for leaving off 2 important songs.

First off, you should know that the version of "I'm a Believer" that you hear on the radio (and in the movie) is NOT the same one you get here. The radio mix is perkier and more 60s-esque, where as the album version seems a bit more edgier and harder.

Also, you may recall how prominent a role the song "Hallelujah" had in the movie. That version, the one in the movie, was by - John Cale. The version on the album is by Rufus Wainwright. WTH? That makes no sense.

I suggest you buy the CD, obtain the 2 missing tracks, and burn the real version of the soundtrack.

Reviewer Milton Abrams has already pointed out that "Hallelujah" is performed by John Cale in the movie, but by Rufus Wainright on the CD. What a shame -- and what a fraud. Cale's rendition in the movie is truly memorable; his delivery is both haunting and dead-on. I won't critique Wainright's because it wasn't done for the movie, but suffice it to say it's nowhere near Cale's.

Abrams points out that this song, written by Leonard Cohen, is performed elsewhere by John Cale. If you liked it in the movie, you'll hear a rendition that's very close (with piano only, sung live by John Cale) on John Cale's "Fragments of A Rainy Season".

I was going to buy the soundtrack, but Dreamworks pulled a fast one and I won't take it with "modifications". Cale has written some excellent soundtracks over the years, and I was pleased to see that he was featured in such a good movie -- it's a shame he won't get the benefit of being on the soundtrack (and that listeners won't get to hear him do that lovely tune).