The Chris Moeller Archives

That wonderful, dogshit time

One of the terrific elements of "The Sopranos" is the music, which was also true of one of its small screen predecessors, "Northern Exposure," during creator David Chase's reign there.

It's admittedly a lesser-used genre on "The Sopranos," beside the preferred rock and roll music of Chase's childhood, but I'm partial to the big band tracks, chosen to frame an episode once or twice a year. The best examples are: Ella Fitzgerald and Benny Goodman's "Good Night, My Love," from season 2's episode "Do Not Resuscitate"; Dean Martin's Summit tunes in season 4's finale, "Whitecaps"; Jackie Gleason's "Melancholy Serenade," from season 5's "In Camelot"; and from this season's best episode "Johnny Cakes," Ray Charles' "I'm Going to Move to the Outskirts of Town." This golden collection tends to be reserved for Uncle Junior subplots and themes of fading traditions, but why change a thing? All of the music is great.

Blogger Tom Watson likes the "'70s grime" of the show and its soundtrack.

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Most of the music will survive when "Sopranos" re-runs hit the A&E network next January, but you won't catch me watching the sanitized family action on basic cable. I don't watch movies edited for content or length on television, and I won't be viewing chopped-up TV shows, either. Would you gaze adoringly at the Mona Lisa if the Musee du Louvre cut off her nose?

posted by CM @ 12:02 PM