NBC’s freshman drama has smartly captured the turbulence of the early 60s and its impact on America. But unlike the suburban flight that was celebrated on "The Wonder Years," "American Dreams" is mired in the tensions of inner-city, inter-racial Philadelphia, a metropolis that still claimed ownership of American Bandstand. And it’s that ownership (and Dick Clark’s production of the TV series) that provides one of the show’s innovative dramatic conceits.
By casting two of the main characters as Bandstand regulars, the music of the era, and especially its transitions (Girlgroups, British Invasion, Motown, et. al), have become the show’s guiding continuity (or discontinuity, if you want to nit-pick the historical accuracy of the song selections). Further, as a lure to the latest MTV generation, the producers have restaged classic Bandstand performances with modern artists, several of which are included here. This CD is a good overview of the show’s musical offerings, including s an extended (or more likely original, un-edited) version of the show’s theme song (the sensational Searchers meet the Byrds "Generation" by Tonic’s Emerson Hart), eight original hits, and six re-creations.
1. Generation - Emerson Hart
2. Heatwave (Love Is Like A) - Martha Reeves & The Vandelas
3. My Girl - B2K/Marques Houston as The Temptations
4. She's Not There - The Zombies
5. Wishin' And Hopin' - Vanessa Carlton as Dusty Springfield
6. Don't Worry Baby - The Beach Boys
7. People Get Ready - The Impressions
8. Come Ye - India.Arie as Nina Simone
9. Gone Gone Gone - The Everly Brothers
10. My Boyfriend's Back - Stacie Orrico/Britney Snow/Vanessa Lengies
11. Beyond The Sea - Duncan Sheik
12. That's How Strong My Love Is - Otis Redding
13. You Really Got Me - The Kinks
14. Every Little Bit Hurts - Vivian Green
15. Sound Of Silence, The - Simon & Garfunkel
American Dreams
