Bear Family Records present a brand new compilation of material celebrating 1950s movie icon James Dean. Available in the 90th anniversary year of his birth, does this collection pay tribute to the man, the myth and the legend?

Largely representative of Dean’s movie career, this set is comprised of 28 tracks. Around half of the tracklisting is accounted for by songs included in his films: which could be called impressive considering the short-lived nature of his career. There are also two interviews, as well as a few tributes, including numbers from the biopic The James Dean Story.

This album is cohesive in the sense of its theme: James Dean and his career are well represented here. However, in style and mood, the selections are eclectic.

The quality of these sound reproductions is of course impeccable where possible. The two interviews are a little sketchy, aurally, however, this is to be expected in such material. This breaks up the polished and slinky nature of many of these tracks, giving a welcome change of pace around a third of the way through the running time.

Some stand-outs are of course the theme from Dean’s most well-known work, Rebel Without a Cause; Barbara Eden’s Rebel; as well as a public service announcement about safe driving which is rather poignant in hindsight.

A Little Something Extra…

The accompanying booklet holds up to the usual high standards of Bear Family Records. Composed of photos and biographical information, it covers both Dean’s life and those of the musical contributors to this collection. The digipak presentation is visually pleasing, well designed and would look well alongside other Bear Family compilations on the record shelf.

Tracklisting:

Bill Hayes – Message From James Dean
Lita Roza – Jimmy Unknown
Leonard Rosenman – Theme From ‘East Of Eden’
Leonard Rosenman – The Vindication Of Cal / End Theme (From ‘East Of Eden’)
Pier Angeli – Souvenir D’Italie
Bobby Poe & The Poe-Kats – Rebel Without a Cause
Leonard Rosenman – Theme from ‘Rebel Without a Cause’
Leonard Rosenman – The Gang and the Chicken Run (From ‘Rebel Without a Cause’)
James Dean – Excerpt from an Interview
Chet Baker & Bud Shank with Orchestra directed by Johnny Mandel & Bill Holman – Rebel at Work (from ‘The James Dean Story’)
James Dean – Interview
Leonard Rosenman – Planetarium (from ‘Rebel Without a Cause’)
Leonard Rosenman – Plato’s Death & Closing Theme (from ‘Rebel Without a Cause’)
James Dean & Bob Romeo – Dean’s Lament
James Dean, Bob Romeo & Duke Mitchell – Jungle Rhythm
Dimitri Tiomkin & The Warner Bros. Orchestra – Main Title from ‘Giant’
Ray Heindorf & The Warner Bros. Orchestra – Fight Scene (The Yellow Rose of Texas) (from ‘Giant’)
Dimitri Tiomkin & The Warner Bros. Orchestra – Jett Rink Theme (from ‘Giant’)
Ray Heindorf & The Warner Bros. Orchestra – End Title (The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You) (from ‘Giant’)
James Dean & Gig Young – Safe Driving PSA (Public Service Announcement)
The Four Tunes – The Ballad of James Dean
Dick Jacobs & His Orchestra – A Boy Named Jimmy Dean
Barbara Eden – Rebel
Chet Baker & Bud Shank with Orchestra directed by Johnny Mandel & Bill Holman – Jimmy’s Theme (from ‘The James Dean Story’)
Chet Baker & Bud Shank with Orchestra directed by Johnny Mandel & Bill Holman – The Movie Star (from ‘The James Dean Story’)
Walter Peter – James Dean Blues
Bonnie Tyler – James Dean
The Jets – James Dean

Conclusion

Although this compilation may not have mass appeal like other era-specific collections – mostly due to its musically eclectic composition – it offers a pleasing listening experience to devotees of the legend James Dean. It would be a suitable addition to a collector of Dean-themed material and memorabilia.

Not to be forgotten is this compilation’s representation of many fine examples of movie scoring by some of the most famous and well-respected composers in Hollywood. Dimitri Tiomkin and Leonard Rosenman dominate here with some beautiful compositions: each stand up on their own and evoke a mood so effectively; though as a collection these numbers all work better together.

James Dean – Rebel With a Cause offers a thoughtful, purposeful representation of Dean’s career and his approach to acting which has been so well respected throughout the years and passed into legend.

James Dean – Rebel With A Cause is available from Bear Family Records.