Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Sonja Dunson: You Can't Buy Love

Sonja Dunson: You Can't Buy Love

By Jim Santella
December 17, 2009
Sign in to view read count

This soundtrack from Sonja Dunson's 2001 film project oozes soulful emotion with every breath. It's the kind of feel-good music that's envisioned with dim lights, a cozy sofa and plush carpet, pleasant company and a whole lot of privacy. It's feel-good music. You Can't Buy Love represents quite an achievement for the budding film director. She wrote the story, produced the film, wrote and sang a portion of the soundtrack, acted in the movie, and led a talented group of artists toward their convincing dramatization.

However, in order to completely detail the Romeo and Juliet storyline of her movie, where opposites attract and lovers come from different cultures, Dunson's had to veer away from one hundred percent living room mood music. Her score has to help tell the story of two lovers who bring different backgrounds to their relationship, and there are significant nuances. A little bit of country and a whole lot of soul music help tell the story, shedding plenty of light on the feelings that exist between the two lovers.

As Linda McCrary sings "Don't You Understand" with piano accompaniment, the core feeling emerges from the soundtrack. Leading up to this grand soliloquy, there is a country and western romp on "Mrs. Right Loves Mr. Wrong," with male and female lead vocalists interpreting the rest. They're right on target and well-balanced with a band that includes electric bass, electric guitar, tenor saxophone, keyboards and drums.

Track Listing

So Much Feelin' (In Your Love); You Can't Buy Love; Mrs. Right Loves Mr. Wrong; Your Lovin' Is So Real; Flicker of Hope; Please Make It Good Again; Don't You Understand.

Personnel

Sonja Dunson

Sonja Dunson: vocals; Butch Dubarri: vocals; Linda McCrary: vocals; other performers.

Album information

Title: You Can't Buy Love | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Self Produced

< Previous
Django Reinhardt Festival, Steve Gadd...

Next >
Schumann's Favored Bar Songs

Comments

About Sonja Dunson

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.