Brooklyn Music In Film- Last Exit To Brooklyn

December 1, 2015 by Adina Bernstein

In 1964, Hubert Selby, Jr. published his classic novel, Last Exit To Brooklyn. Set in the 1950’s, it portrays a Brooklyn that is far from the tranquil, peaceful suburban image that is often associated with that period. In stark contrast to the perfect, manicured lawn world of Father Knows Best and The Donna Reed Show, Last Exit To Brooklyn shows us a much grittier and darker world.

Reflecting the dark, complex world of the novel, the filmmakers turned to British singer/songwriter Mark Knopfler to produce an original score of the film, instead of relying pre-recorded, well known songs of the era. Pairing up with Guy Fletcher (his bandmate from Dire Straits), Knopfler produces a soundtrack is matches the plot beat for beat. In writing original music instead of relying on iconic songs of the era, the soundtrack that Fletcher and Knopfler created echoes the dark reality of the world that the characters live in.

Harry Black (Stephen Lang) is cast as the macho, married union boss who is ‘in the closet.’ Tralala (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is a prostitute who falls in love with one of her clients. Donna (Ricki Lake) is a 17-year old girl who is pregnant and unmarried. None of them are living anything resembling the idyllic, fictional 1950’s life.

There is nothing light or fluffy about this movie and that also goes for Fletcher’s work. It is dark, full of melodramatic undertones. It matches, scene-for-scene, the characters’ emotions as they struggle to simply survive. As the union workers fight for a decent wage, the music swells. As Tralala falls for her client, the music lightens up, if only a little.

Unlike other films that represent this era, Last Exit To Brooklyn is dark with complicated characters and their complex stories. The soundtrack honestly represents the characters and the choices they must make. There is practically nothing light or airy about the music as it follows the rollercoaster of a story. From the light feeling of love that Tralala experiences for the first time or the anger of workers who are striking for their rights and a decent wage, the score matches beat-for-beat the on-screen drama.

As intense and powerful as the plot is, the soundtrack of Last Exit To Brooklyn is the perfect partner to a story that is atypical for the time period and a reminder of the darker side of life.

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

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