Almost Famous

In his film Almost Famous, director Cameron Crowe Jerry Maguire, Singles explores a subject near and dear to his heart: the rock 'n' roll of the '70s and the journalists who covered it. Crowe, a onetime rock journalist, has also assembled a soundtrack boasting an astonishing array of heavy hitters, including the Who "Sparks", Lynyrd Skynyrd "Simple Man", and Yes "I've Seen All Good People". Apparently Crowe was able to secure the Led Zeppelin track "That's the Way" -- quite a coup, as it's Zep's first soundtrack appearance ever -- by drawing on his own deep roots in the music industry. Even though the track listing features all big names, Crowe's known passion for music compelled him to dig deeper for material, so he treats listeners to David Bowie's live cover of the Velvet Underground's "I'm Waiting for the Man" and the Beach Boys' 1971 psychedelic nugget "Feel Flows." Also included is a Donovan-like instrumental from former Heart member -- and Crowe's wife -- Nancy Wilson "Mr. Trumble" and "Fever Dog," a cock-rock stomper by Stillwater, the fictional band at the center of Almost Famous. With this soundtrack, Crowe once again merges his love for rock and the big screen into a seamless work that honors the past while adding to its legacy.