Serendipity (CD - 2001)

Much like its namesake film, the SERENDIPITY soundtrack walks the tightrope of romantic notions without falling off into a pool of mawkish sentiment. This was musically accomplished by rounding up material from a number of critically acclaimed established artists and their equally promising younger peers. Representing the old guard are Shawn Colvin with a lush ode to pre-determined love ("When You Know"), Annie Lennox and her trip-hop soaked reading of a Bob Marley classic ("Waiting In Vain") and David Gray with a chiming instrumental ("January Rain"). The breadth of notable cuts also includes the late Nick Drake's breathy "Northern Sky," Louis Armstrong's swinging "Cool Yule" and Chantal Kreviazuk's twangy "This Year." Other artists featured on this tastefully executed collection are Evan & Jaron (the heartfelt "The Distance"), Heather Nova (a simmering "Like Lovers Do") and newcomer Bap Kennedy (the jazzy "Moonlight Kiss"). SERENDIPITY turns out to be a welcome change from the usual banal musical normally culled for date movies. minimize