The soundtrack to
Woody Allen's 2011 Oscar-nominated romantic comedy Midnight in Paris features a variety of jazz tunes and popular songs that are all generally associated with the film's 1920s Paris setting. While
Allen actually transports his movie's main character back to the '20s, most of the music here was recorded by contemporary artists who play in an old-school style. To these ends, we get such roiling and urbane Gypsy jazz tracks as Swing 41's "Je Suis Seul Ce Soir," Original Paris Swing's "Recado," and even several
Cole Porter vocal numbers by Conal Fowkes -- who appears as
Porter in the film. Also featured are jaunty classic jazz cuts like
Josephine Baker's conga dance number "La Conga Blicoti" and, of course,
Sydney Bechet's "Si Tu Vois Ma Mère," which opens the film. Swooning and romantic in tone with a breezy, swinging jazz vibe throughout, the
Midnight in Paris soundtrack is a must-have souvenir for traditional jazz lovers and any fan of the film. ~ Matt Collar