Although
Nighthawks
-- starring
Sylvester Stallone
,
Billy Dee Williams
Lindsay Wagner
, and
Rutger Hauer
-- was a rather contrived suspense film,
Keith Emerson
's soundtrack fit its need rather well. With his full assortment of keyboards, an orchestra, and a supporting cast including bassist
Kendall Stubbs
, drummer
Neil Symonette
, percussionist
Frank Scully
, trumpeter
Greg Bowen
, and the talented multi-reed player
Jerome Richardson
Emerson
keeps one's interest. The vocal tracks are mildly amusing, with
Paulette Willimas
singing
"Nighthawking"
(a piece that starts with some crisp solo piano before degenerating into a dance number with trite lyrics), and
's tongue-in-cheek vocal on a cover of
the Spencer Davis Group
's
"I'm a Man."
All in all, it stands the test of time better than the movie. ~ Ken Dryden