Before there was the syndicated television series there was "Fame" the movie and the album, which is certainly something of a family affair with most of the songs being written by Michael Gore, with a couple of songs having lyrics by Lesley Gore, for a film scripted by Christopher Gore. Two of the songs sung by Irene Cara were nominated for Oscars, the title song "Fame" and "Out Here On My Own," and while the former is better known the latter is the best song on the album. The main surprise on the "Fame" album now, as it was then, is that actor Paul McCrane (currently known for his role as the evil chief of staff on "E.R.") not only sings on several tracks, but also wrote the elegantly simple "Is It Okay If I Call You Mine?" The soundtrack also presents several high energy ensemble pieces that capture the frenetic energy of the film: "Hot Lunch Jam" and the big finale number "I Sing the Body Electric," both of which make complete use of the young talent you would find at the High School of the Performing Arts and the High School of Music and Art in New York City that inspired the film. I just wish they had the wonderful little bit where Bruno Martelli tackles the Fourth Movement of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony on his synthesizers.