Fishing with John [TV Soundtrack]

This disc features music from the Independent Film Channel cable series of the same name. The idea of the series is to pair Lurie, the leader of the "non-jazz" big band the Lounge Lizards (and also an actor) with talents from independent films. For this purpose, Lurie whipped up a wide range of imaginative soundscapes, from tongue-in-cheek choral pieces ("Fish Dance") to hip R&B workouts ("Shark Drive"). As a whole, the album is a nice snapshot of Lurie's gifts as a composer. The pieces are rich with imagination and a keen sense of humor. An added bonus is Tom Waits' improvised, lusty rowing hymn "River of Men."