The soundtrack to Live at the Foxes Den features nine songs performed and filmed live by the film’s Jackson Rathbone, who stars as a corporate lawyer who becomes a lounge singer. Also featured on the soundtrack are the film’s Jocelin Donahue and a duet between Rathbone and Elliott Gould...

I get the premise behind Live at the Foxes Den... I even understand the reasons for recording the casts songs live. What I don't understand is why a soundtrack has been released.

The movie tells the story of Bobby Kelly, a hotshot, young attorney, who becomes so disenchanted with his fast-track career that he quits and takes a gig as the house singer at an old cocktail lounge. As he becomes entwined in the lives of the unique staff and eclectic regulars at The Foxes Den, Bobby soon discovers what it is he’s truly meant to do.

Now, if you've never been to a cocktail lounge, you'd be forgive for thinking (after listening to this album) that they employ people who can barely sing - that they are embarrassing haunts frequented by the tone deaf... Yes, sadly the actors vocal talents are not quite up to scratch. And, I suppose, that the idea that is central to the plot of the movie is that someone quits their high powered job for something they have a passion for... I don't know... I don't really care... but what I was subjected to over these nine tracks (19 mins) can only be described as mild torture. I used to frequent The Piano Bar lounge bar in the heart of London's West End in the '90s... and if any of the acts had been half as bad as this... they wouldn't have stayed open for very long. Even the CD cover looks cheesy!

Fans of the movie who enjoy raw, and not very good, singing will no doubt enjoy this - everyone else would do best to avoid it.

3

Darren Rea