Boardwalk Empire, Vol. 2 [Music from the Original HBO Series]

Personnel: Andy York (guitar); Ken Salvo (banjo); Antoine Silerman, Cenovia Cummings, Andy Stein, Meg Okura, Paul Woodiel, Belinda Whitney (violin); Jill Jaffe (viola); Mairi Dorman Phaneuf (cello); Chuck Wilson, Dan Levinson, Dan Block, Peter Anderson , Jack Stuckey, Will Anderson , Mark Lopeman (reeds); Vince Giordano (bass saxophone, tuba); Nathan Botts, Jon-Erik Kellso, Mike Ponella (trumpet); Harvey Tibbs, Jim Fryer, Matt Musselman, Noah Bless (trombone); Peter Yarin (piano); Joe Saylor, Rob Grica, Arnie Kinsella (drums).
Audio Mixer: Stewart Lerman.
Liner Note Author: Terence Winter.
Recording information: 2nd Story Sound; Avatar Studios; Brooklyn Recorders; Electric Lady Studios; Hobo Sound; Sear Sound.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Earl Norman; Carol Hughes.
Arranger: Vince Giordano.
While Boardwalk Empire includes plenty of authentic recordings in its re-creation of the mob wars of the Roaring '20s, Boardwalk Empire, Vol. 2 reaffirms that having contemporary artists interpret the era's songs keeps the HBO series from seeming too archival. Presenting highlights from seasons three and four, the collection features performances from a roster of more established artists than the soundtrack's first volume. The results are often accomplished -- David Johansen slips into the boisterous "Strut Miss Lizzie" like a pinstripe suit -- but not always as thrilling as when younger or lesser-known artists blend almost imperceptibly into the songs. For better or worse, Elvis Costello is unmistakable on his version of "It Had to Be You;" as captivating as he is, he detracts from the illusion of authenticity artists like the National's Matt Berninger creates with his rendition of "I'll See You in My Dreams." Other inspired pairings include Neko Case, who sounds as effortlessly charismatic and appropriate singing "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" as she is anywhere else, and St. Vincent, whose knowing sweetness tempers the naive admonishments to grin and bear it on "Make Believe." Two very different grande dames provide some of the album's biggest highlights: Liza Minnelli is just as brassy and sassy as expected on "You've Got to See Mama Ev'ry Night (Or You Can't See Mama at All)," while Patti Smith plays against type on her playful rendition of the sad-sack chestnut "I Ain't Got Nobody." Performances such as these make Boardwalk Empire, Vol. 2 more theatrical than the first volume, but fans will be pleased to hear more songs by Stephen DeRosa, whose turn as Eddie Cantor is one of the show's highlights. Likewise, this collection introduces Margot Bingham, who joins the cast in season four and showcases her wide range with the flirty "I'm Going South" and the winsome "Somebody Loves Me." Elsewhere, the show's musical diversity expands with Loudon Wainwright III's "The Prisoner's Song" and Pokey LaFarge's "Lovesick Blues," both of which add a hillbilly/country feel, and with Rufus Wainwright's "Jimbo Jambo," an example of the jaunty exoticism of the age that might be a little troubling to modern listeners. On the whole, however, Boardwalk Empire, Vol. 2 is an expansive, entertaining soundtrack that captures just how thoroughly the show crafts its mood and atmospheres. ~ Heather Phares