My Fake Interview with Tom Hanks

WP: Hi, my name is William Pinn and welcome to my review of the That Thing You Do Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. With me today is my special guest Mr. White who is the producer and manager of that rock sensation The Wonders. How are you today sir?

White: I'm fine, and yourself?

WP: Terrific, thanks. I must say I really enjoyed listening to this CD. It has all of the songs from the movie. It has photos of the band and trivia. Oops! No song-lyric sheets, but the graphics and artwork are groovy, dude. I rated it four stars.

White: Thank you. I appreciate that. Five stars would have been nicer, but you are right we did forget to include song-lyric sheets for you sing-a-long types.

WP: Tell us what you can about the Wonder's phenomenal hit That Thing You Do.

White: That song...what can I say...was the fastest rising hit in the history of the Play-Tone label. It reached the number two spot on the pop charts.

WP: I really dig that song! The guitars are EQ'd so they have kind of a Beatle's sound. I noticed that there was the signature Beatle's hand clapping in sync with the rhythm section. There's a tenor lead vocal--.

White: That's our lead singer, Jimmy. Guy Patterson plays the drums, Lenny's on lead guitar, and Wolfman's on bass guitar. And you are right: we were going for an up-tempo Beatle's type dance number.

WP: There is some backup harmony too, over the melody and some oohs and ahhs. Tell us about the other songs on the CD.

White: Well first up is a tune called Lovin' You Lots and Lots. Actor Tom Hanks wrote and produced it.

WP: That would be the same Tom Hanks that plays your part in the movie?

White: That's correct. The song has a sing-a-long-with-Mitch-Miller quality, a fox-trot rhythm and an all-male chorus singing in unison and harmony.

WP: Yeah...it's a song for squares, I thought. Kind of an old-fogy song Grandpa listens to just before he passes out in his easy chair, and starts snoring like a garbage disposal on the fritz. Tell us about Little Wild One.

White: Sure. As you know, that song was on the flip side of the Wonders' 45. It has triad harmony vocals stacked on guitars, bass and drums.

WP: Yeah, that one also reminded me of the Beatles and perhaps the Beach Boys. The lead guitar riffs make quite a good hook. I found it to be a catchy, danceable number. What's next?

White: More of the same (laughter). The song is Dance With Me. There is one little difference: Lenny is singing lead vocals on this track. The beat is somewhat faster.

WP: Yesss! It is a real adrenaline rush! But then the next track is a ballad All My Only Dreams.

White: Yes. Jimmy sings beautifully on that track.

WP: Oh, I agree! I also love the sound-on-sound harmony mix. It is fantastic!

White: Why thank you, Mr. Pinn! It takes an incredibly gifted man to recognize quality.

WP: Well, thank you, too! But I think anyone can enjoy this track. However, the next song I Need You (That Thing You Do) could very well be my favorite song of all time. It has all of the qualities that the other songs on this CD have plus a kick-down-the-back-door beat!

White: My personal favorite is She Knows It.

WP: Oh yeah! That song is bi...bit...bitc...I am sorry. The AC censor won't let me use the B-word. That song has some psychedelic EQ effects on the vocals. The drums play a snappy fox-trot rock beat. Say, there are other artists on this CD and on the Play-Tone label. Describe them.

White: Well, we have Freddy Fredrickson singing Mr. Downtown. It's kind of a Harry Mancini detective up-tempo jazz swing sort of thing. This song was also written by me...er...Tom Hanks.

WP: I noticed also a sort of Vegas-style brass section. That was kind of a filler song wasn't it?

White: You know, I take back what I said about you earlier-you're not as gifted as I thought you were.

WP: Oops! I stepped on an eggshell. Sorry, dude.

White: You're forgiven. Lets see...where was I? Oh yes...the CD has Hold My Hand, Hold My Heart performed by the Chantrellines.

WP: Yes, that group reminds me of the Supremes, a kind of Motown genre. Eh! What else you got?

White: Eh?! Is that all you can say is Eh?

WP: Well let's face it: they are not the Wonders.

White: This is true. OK, how about Voyage Around the Moon by the Saturns?

WP: Huh?

White: Never mind. That is a very forgettable song. Another forgettable song is Diane Dane's My World is Over.

WP: When I heard it, I wished the song was over. It is a drippy, syrupy ballad that wouldn't even make it on the Lawrence Welk Show. I found the next song Drive Faster by the Vicksburgs to be kind of a Jan and Dean type number.

White: Yes, we had Jan and Dean in mind when we recorded it. The CD also has a lively sax beach- party-type dance number entitled Shrimp Shack

WP: Those are sort of OK, but I really like the next track featuring Del Paxton performing Time to Blow--a swinging, bass-slappin' jazz jam with Del's piano filling it out like a flooding stream fills in a dry creek bed. Say, did I mention to you that I signed with Columbia Records?

White: You did? Congratulations!

WP:Yeah! They send me a new CD every month (laughter). In fact that's how I obtained the fabulous CD I am now reviewing. Mr. White it has been a pleasure. I want to thank you for being here today.

White: Thank you for inviting me.

WP: Tell Tom Hanks I said Hi (more laughter).

The CD

01. Lovin' You Lots and Lots
02. That Thing You Do
03. Little Wild One
04. Dance With Me Tonight
05. All My Only Dreams
06. I Need You (That Thing You Do)
07. She Knows It
08. Mr. Downtown
09. Hold My Hand, Hold My Heart
10. Voyage Around the Moon
11. My World is Over
12. Drive Faster
13. Shrimp Shack
14. Time to Blow
15. That Thing You Do