User:Idiotchalk/sandbox/Commitments

The Commitments is a 1991 comedy-drama film, based on the novel of the same name by the Irish author Roddy Doyle. Focusing on a working class soul band in Dublin, Ireland, the music of The Commitments was released on two soundtrack albums by MCA Records—The Commitments: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1991) and The Commitments Vol. 2 (1992); both of which placed in international record charts and received critical acclaim.

Based on cover versions of 1960s soul songs from artists such as Mack Rice, Al Green, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke, The Commitments' soundtrack albums feature the film's cast as musicians and performers. Andrew Strong, who portrayed lead singer Declan "Deco" Cuffe, performed lead vocals on the majority of the songs alongside other cast members Angeline Ball, Maria Doyle Kennedy and Bronagh Gallagher, who provided backing vocals. Robert Arkins, who portrayed The Commitments' manager Jimmy Rabbitte, was lead vocalist on a number of songs on the soundtrack albums, including "Treat Her Right" and "Slip Away". Niamh Kavanagh, who was not featured in the film, performed lead vocals on "Destination Anywhere" and "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man". Other musicians present on The Commitments' music releases included cast members Glen Hansard, Kenneth McCluskey, Johnny Murphy, Félim Gormley, Michael Aherne and Dave Finnegan; who portrayed Outspan Foster, Derek "Meatman" Scully, Joey "The Lips" Fagan, Dean Fay, Stephen Clifford and Mickah Wallace respectively.

The music of The Commitments received critical acclaim. Following its release, The Commitments and its original soundtrack album "turned into such a hit at the box office and on the music charts that it warranted a second soundtrack", with comparisons being drawn to The Big Chill and The Blues Brothers. The film and its soundtracks resulted in the formation of The Stars From The Commitments, a tribute band whose membership includes cast members and album musicians. The Stars from the Commitments, with reunited cast members and musicians, performed a sell-out tour in 2011 throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom.