Various Artists – Room Service

Room Service Deluxe‘ Various Artists

By Chris Peken

The sub-title to this double-disc compilation reads ‘The ultimate soundtrack for the seriously hip’. Now it may be a marketing faux pas, or just a mis-print, for if that is the joint they are really after it should read: ‘The ultimate soundtrack for the seriously hip-replaced’. Don’t get me wrong, there is always room in my life for Dusty Springfield ‘ represent here ably with Son of a Preacher Man ‘ and likewise for Ella Fitzgerald, Burt Bacharach, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and even Dean Martin. Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot’s Bonnie and Clyde is an underplayed classic, while we all need to hear Henry Mancini’s Baby Elephant Walk one more time, even Melanie with Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma comes off looking all bright and shiny-eyed in such esteemed company. If you once wore a smoking jacket or used a cigarette holder (you know who you are) then you will feel right at home. There is barely a wrong step in song selection amongst the 43 tracks here (except perhaps George Benson): Room Service Deluxe makes for a great collection for your next dress-up dinner party, circa 1973 ‘ fondue anyone’

*** ½