For his eighth solo release, Dave Koz chose to take us to movies.  At The Movies features theme songs from twelve timeless movie classics that span the decades, a host of stellar guest artists, and a 40-piece live orchestra. 

All of us have been touched by at least some of these songs, and Koz handles each piece with a great deal of respect for the original.  But at the same time, he puts his own touch on each, whether with his sax voice, with the vocalists he brings together, or by mixing things up a little – like playing the tenor sax classic, “The Pink Panther,” on the soprano sax – the result is a fresh, flawlessly produced and executed album.

Did I mention the host of stellar guest artists?  At The Movies gives us Barry Manilow on “Moon River” (Breakfast At Tiffany’s); Anita Baker lends her vocal talent on “Somewhere” (West Side Story); “The Shadow Of Your Smile” (The Sandpiper) features Johnny Mathis and Chris Botti; Vanessa Williams sings “The Way We Were” (The Way We Were);  India.Arie puts a beautiful, fresh touch on “It Might Be You” (Tootsie) ; and Donna Summers offers her take on “A Whole New World” (Aladdin).

Instrumental tracks include “Over The Rainbow” (Wizard of Oz), “As Time Goes By” (Casablanca), “The Pink Panther” (The Pink Panther), “The Summer Knows” (Summer of ’42), “Cinema Paradiso Suite” (Cinema Paradiso), and the hauntingly beautiful “Schindler’s List” (Schindler’s List).

There are also two bonus tracks – instrumental versions of “It Might Be You” featuring Peter White, and “The Shadow Of Your Smile” featuring Chris Botti and Norman Brown.

At The Movies is a great CD to curl up with along with a special book or someone.  Let it take you back to those special times you spent with some very special movies.

- Elizabeth Ware