By Various Artists - Soundtracks - 1999, 1999

This comedy from director Lawrence Kasdan ( The Big Chill ) is about young psychologist Dr. Mumford (Loren Dean) who curiously lives in the town of the same name and who helps a small town of misfits realize their potential while creating conflicts in his own life. A notable cast (Jane Adams, Ted Danson, Hope Davis, Pruitt Taylor Vince) highlight the film, and several well-chosen musicians contribute memorable tunes to the film's score.

Well over half the soundtrack album features James Newton Howard 's instrumental compositions. A five-time Academy Award nominee who has composed music for over 65 films, including Pretty Woman , Glengarry Glen Ross, and The Fugitive , Howard delivers quirky orchestral numbers both jaunty ("Follett's Fantasy") and ambient ("Althea's Kids," "Follett's Gift"). Most notable, however, are the two Lyle Lovett contributions, a cover of Bob Seger 's "Till It Shines" with Keb' Mo' and "Ballad of the Snow Leopard & the Tanqueray Cowboy," a tune that evokes a Midwest American state of mind.

-- Rob O'Connor

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