by Various Artists - Soundtrack List Price:$13.00 Our Price:$9.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Product Details
Media: Audio CD
Release Date: Tuesday, December 05, 2000
Label: Lost Highway
Average Customer Review: 0 Based on 0 reviews.
Sales Rank: 228
Tracks
1.
Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby - Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss & Emmylou Harris
2.
In The Highways - The Peasall Sisters
3.
I Am Weary - The Cox Family
4.
I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (Instrumental) - John Hartford
5.
O Death - Ralph Stanley
6.
In The Jailhouse Now - The Soggy Bottom Boys featuring Tim Blake Nelson
7.
I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (With band) - The Soggy Bottom Boys featuring Dan Tyminski
8.
Indian War Whoop (Instrumental) - John Hartford
9.
Lonesome Valley - The Fairfield Four
10.
Angel Band - The Stanley Brothers
11.
I'll Fly Away - Gillian Welch & Alison Krauss
12.
Keep On The Sunny Side - The Whites
13.
Man Of Constant Sorrow (Instrumental) - Norman Blake
14.
Hard Time Killing Floor Blues - Chris Thomas King
15.
I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow - The Soggy Bottom Boys featuring Dan Tyminski
16.
Down In The River To Pray - Alison Krauss
17.
You Are My Sunshine - Norman Blake
18.
Big Rock Candy Mountain - Harry McLintock
19.
Po Lazarus - J. Carter & Prisoners
20.
Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby - Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss & Emmylou Harris
21.
I'll Fly Away - Gillian Welch & Alison Krauss
Editorial Review
The best soundtracks are like movies for the ears, and O Brother, Where Art Thou? joins the likes of Saturday Night Fever and The Harder They Come as cinematic pinnacles of song. The music from the Coen brothers' Depression-era film taps into the source from which the purest strains of country, blues, bluegrass, folk, and gospel music flow. Producer T Bone Burnett enlists the voices of Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris, Ralph Stanley, and kindred spirits for performances of traditional material, in arrangements that are either a cappella or feature bare-bones accompaniment. Highlights range from the aching purity of Krauss's "Down to the River to Pray" to the plainspoken faith of the Whites' "Keep on the Sunny Side" to Stanley's chillingly plaintive "O Death." The album's spiritual centerpiece finds Krauss, Welch, and Harris harmonizing on "Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby," a gospel lullaby that sounds like a chorus of Appalachian angels. --Don McLeese
Top Customer Reviews
Rating:
5 Great "Old Time Music" to Quote the Movie
T Bone Burnett, with the help of Gillian Welch, has created a masterful collection of roots music for this great movie.From the archival recording of "Big Rock Candy Mountain" by Harry McLintock to the soulful "Down In The River To Pray" by Alison Krauss to the seductive "Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby" by the sirens Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss & Emmylou Harris to the masterful feature song, "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" by The Soggy Bottom Boys, this collection of music reminds us that beneath the glossy surface of the music worlds there is a rich hearitage at the foundation. As T Bone Burnett said in a recent interview on an LA Public Radio station, "This is music for those who like music." All that pop and fake country, etc. is for those people who don't like music; which the market that most record companies seem concerned with.Thank you Mr. Burnett, and Ms. Welch for your efforts to find and write this wonderful music and to find the amazing musicians that performed. And thank you to the Coen Brothers make this a reality.O Brother, Where Art Thou is probably one of the best soundtracks every put together in the history of cinema. You won't be disappointed!
Rating:
5 beautiful beautiful music
Country music is so misunderstood. These days, anything from Garth Brooks to Faith Hill to LeAnn Rimes is considered country music, when really their music caters more to the commercial market (aka pop music enthusiasts). Whether it's bluegrass, folk, gospel, blues or traditional country - the soundtrack to the Coen brothers' film showcases real country music at its rawest best. Don't expect any familiar names on the list, except perhaps Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris, but do look forward to some great singing and melodic tunes. The main song from the album is I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow, appearing as many as four times - one instrumental (acoustic guitar) from five-time Grammy nominee Norman Blake and another one (fiddle) from John Hartford. Fictional band The Soggy Bottom Boys sings two versions of the song (radio version and band version - not much difference really, but both are pretty good). The Soggy Bottom Boys appears in the movie, and comprises George Clooney, Tim Blake Nelson and John Turturro. However, Nelson is the only one who actually sings on the soundtrack, singing lead on the catchy In the Jailhouse Now. Ralph Stanley contributes his soulful tenor on the traditional gospel O Death. The song really gets you in a mournful mood as he laments, "O Death, won't you spare me over till another year?" Lonesome Valley is also one of those depressing yet spiritual songs, and the Fairfield Four's deep, deep voices (bass, baritone and tenor) give a spot-on effect to the song. One interesting "song" is Po Lazarus, the album opener. Sung by James Carter & The Prisoners, it's a 1959 recording of a prison chain gang in a Mississippi penitentiary, singing and chopping wood in unison. Their bellowing voices and the sharp raps of the axes hitting the wood makes one wonder if the fancy "twings and twangs" of today's music are really necessary.Chris Thomas King's bluesy Hard Time Killing Floor Blues features appealing guitar work and is somewhat soothing, especially as it slowly and softly tra
Rating:
5 Wonderful!
My husband and I listen to this cd all the time, and we never tire of it. You should purchase this cd. It is really good.
Rating:
5 O Brother, What Good Music!
I have to admit that I don't have much knowledge in the area of bluegrass/folk/country music, however after hearing the great music from the film I knew I had to have these tunes playing on my CD player. Great moments abound on this disc like the Dan Tyminski sung "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" which evokes the feel and time of the movie so well. The solemn "Down To The River To Pray" has Alison Krauss backed by The First Bapist Church Choir and nothing else. "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" only has Chris Thomas King picking some sad blues on an acoustic guitar. The instrumental of "Constant Sorrow" played on acoustic guitars is brillant. "Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby" sung by the trio of Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss is another great example of the really good harmonies on this disc. "Keep on the Sunny Side" while not as outstanding as other songs mentioned here still has that quality singing. "In The Jailhouse Now" is sort of surpise since its the only song that features an actual member from the movie on the soundtrack--Tim Blake Nelson, he sings the lead and does a good job. The stellar track as I see it would be "I'll Fly Away" with Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss. Their voices blend so well together that its almost a shame when the song ends. The are other good songs on the disc to be sure, but these are really the high points of what amounts to an excellent soundtrack.
Rating:
5 The greatest movie soundtrack EVER!
With the country music airwaves currently being dominated by fresh, new artists like Faith Hill who fit better in the pop circuit, it is refreshing to see an album composed entirely of traditional bluegrass and country do as well as the soundtrack of O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU. Even further impressing is the fact that although none of the songs were released to radio, the soundtrack was propelled to the #1 spot on Billboard's country album charts solely from people hearing the music in the movie theater. This soundtrack is a phenomenal album that is proof to country fans everywhere that although traditional country has appeared to have gone out of style, it is still very much alive and well.The O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU SOUNDTRACK is composed of nineteen songs recorded by some of the most talented country/bluegrass artists in the business, including Gillian Welch (who also served as musical director for the motion picture), Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, and the Cox Family, and and is truly a gathering of musical talent. Also included in the soundtrack is music by musicians who appeared in the film as well as working on the CD, such as the Whites and Tim Blake Nelson.The O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU SOUNDTRACK is truly, as the CD ads claim, "The ULTIMATE American roots collection!" So, grab your acoustic guitar, fiddle, and Dapper Dan hair pomade, and let the soundtrack from O BROTHER take you on a journey through one of the greatest periods in country music history.
Rating:
5 Who needs a review?
At first I was thinking: why even review this? I suspected that most people wouldn't need the help of a review when deciding whether to buy this particular CD--they probably saw the movie and realized at about thirty seconds in to "Man of Constant Sorrow" that they had to have the soundtrack. But then I thought, people might be taking a look over the track list because of one or two favorite artists, trying to decide if they really want to take the plunge. If that description fits you: don't hesitate. Buy it. This is perhaps the most sublime compilation ever arranged of Americana: a mix of folk, blues, bluegrass, and gospel music, the full effect of which transcends period or genres. After getting this, I have about three or four new artists on my wish list for buying new CDs.Outstanding tracks are both vocal versions of "Man of Constant Sorrow," "Down In The River To Pray," "O Death," "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues," and "I'll Fly Away," but you can listen to this from beginning to end, over and over, and not easily tire. As someone else pointed out, this is not like other soundtrack CDs--there are no weak links or unevenness here, no filler. Every cut is grade-A choice. Some, in fact, are dangerously addictive. I've owned the CD less than a day and played "Man of Constant Sorrow" about twenty times now. I feel like a rat pushing its lever again and again to get a buzz of sheer bliss.
Rating:
5 Finally, the Grammys got it right!
After a two-year trend of giving Album of the Year awards to recipients who deserved it 25 years ago, they took a further step in 2001: giving the award to a collection of music that predates the Grammys themselves. Past songs and groups don't endure this long without good reason. And this rustic traditional collection is performed by top-notch modern artists all the way, from rockin' bluesman Chris Thomas King to country siren Gillian Welch to the movie's Soggy Bottom Boys - currently the bluegrass equivalent of Spinal Tap. Accessible and enjoyable whether you're a fan of rock, country or pop, this is one of those rare genre-spanning achievements that's found equal praise among listeners of all ages and tastes.If you're a country fan, you'll probably know the names Gillian Welch and Allison Krauss already. If not, take a listen to Krauss's mesmerizing turn on "Down to the River to Pray" and you'll want to repeat the track ten or twelve more times. Elsewhere we're treated to some real old-time country singing; twangy guitars and voices that only come with decades of whiskey and cigarettes. Ralph Stanley's "O Death" can give shivers and the Fairfield Four's "Lonesome Valley" is positively chilling. The centerpiece "Man of Constant Sorrow" is the best kind of blues, a tale of hardship set to an infectious toe-tapping beat. John Hartford's sad violin paints a picture of a lonely jail cell, and Norman Blake's guitar is part grungy Delta blues and part swamp funk. I've probably said enough. Between the acclaim from the already-converted and the reviews I'm going to be buried under (this is a big Grammy winner after all), you've probably got a good idea what the album is like by now. If you're curious about the roots of modern music, buy this. If you like country or bluegrass, buy it. If you want to show a little more support for a genre that's been criminally subdued by the music industry, buy it. Heck, if you're just curious what all the fuss is about - buy it. All the five-star reviews here aren't kidding: it's THAT good.
Rating:
5 O Brother
This is the soundtrack to the Coen brothers' film based loosely on Homer's "The Odyssey". This soundtrack takes the movie from good to great. The tracks follow the progression of the movie. Nearly an hour of blue-grass music, even if you haven't seen the movie, this is worth having if you like "Old-Time" Country music and blue-grass. The legend, Ralph Stanley, appears a couple of times here, although his "Man of Constant Sorrow" is here too, but covered by Dan Tyminski. Stanley's "O Death" is a haunting tune sung without accompaniment. His voice is sorrowful and full of pain, and will send shivers up your spine. Tyminski's cover is well done and becomes the centerpiece for the movie. The sultry voices of Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch provide a rising rendition of "Didn't Leave Nobody But the Baby." Alison Krauss also lends her voice to the spiritual "Down to the River to Pray," and joins up again with Gillian Welch for "I'll Fly Away". The surprise here is Tim Blake Nelson on lead vocals as the dimwitted Delmar on "In the Jailhouse Now." Overall, this is a great soundtrack, and well worth owning if you like this type of music. I think the Coen brothers have done a lot with the release of this movie to turn the spotlight onto blue-grass music. This is great music that deserves more than the fifteen minutes of fame it's received.
Rating:
5 A fantastic soundtrack from a fantastic movie
The Coen brothers have worked their magic again with their excellent film "O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?" The unique vision and perspective of the film is rivaled only by the excellence of its soundtrack, which might just be the best movie soundtrack I've heard.Quite simply, there is not one weak track on this CD, period. Not one. There are highlights, to be sure, but the greatest aspect of this soundtrack might be that the diverse array of recordings and styles presents the listener with something new to appreciate every time they play the CD. Some tracks deserve special mention, however. Ralph Stanley's "O Death" is a haunting, passionate song , especially if one recalls the scene in which it appears during the movie. "Down In The River To Pray" by Alison Krauss is another excellent track; when my friend heard the the harmonies of this song, so wonderfully ethereal and poignant, she simply said: "that's beautiful." And the Peasall Sisters are outstanding on "In The Highways," singing with the innocence of children but harmonizing like adults as well.In my opinion, however, the true gems of this soundtrack are the recordings by the Soggy Bottom Boys, featuring Tim Blake Nelson and Dan Tyminski. "In The Jailhouse Now" is just fun to listen to, and knowing that Tim Blake Nelson and John Tuturro actually sang their parts for the movie rather than lip-synching adds an authenticity that is hard to get from Hollywood these days. "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" is, however, the spiritual center of the movie and the most outstanding part of the soundtrack. In the movie, George Clooney did such an excellent job lip-synching that moviegoers swore he was really singing the tune. It was actually the work of Dan Tyminski, though Tim Blake Nelson and John Tuturro again sang their own parts. This song simply sticks in your head and stays there, and for once that's a good thing. Tyminski's vocals are outstanding, and the two recordings are distinctive enough that one appreciates both versions being included on the soun
Rating:
5 Could single-handedly resurrect a genre or two.
When people say "Wow!", they're not exaggerating. I'm a fan of the movie, but you don't even need to have seen it to love this CD. From the opening beats of an actual 1959 chain-gang singing "Po Lazarus" through the final harmonic strains of "Angel Band", this CD pulses with more life than any pre-packaged, over-produced, over-hyped pop band.This is grass-roots stuff that could re-introduce the world to the pure beauty of old-time folk/country, bluegrass, blues and gospel and remind us that there is considerable beauty in music that's created without a single instrument that has to be plugged in to an outlet.The liner notes say the music preceded the film and that is no surprise. The Coen brothers are uniquely able to make a film and soundtrack based on existing material coalesce into something wonderful, and theirs and producer T Bone Burnett's conviction in the material never wavers for a second.This album is good enough to be a litmus test: If you don't like it, you can probably just pay your regards to the South and never bother with anything even remotely country-esque again. But if you haven't heard it then you don't know what it can be.
Rating:
5 Music the way is should be
This is perhaps the best soundtrack ever made. It is a stunning mix of mostly acoustic tracks by most of the best bluegrass artists ever. There is work on here from Ralph Stanely, Allison Kraus, and Emmelou Harris, to name a few. This CD won a lot of Grammys the year that it came out, and that is because it was the best CD of that year.Highlights include the Big Rock Candy Mountains, Man of Constant Sorrow, In the Jailhouse Now and O Death. If you have ever wondered what bluegrass sounded like but have been afraid to try, this is the CD for you. It will show you the magic that this genre of music can provide.
Rating:
5 O Brother, I have found thee.
Let me tell you first off, being a 13 yr old girl, in the middle of the pop world, I hate country. I would beg my parents in the car to let me listen to my Pop/Rock/Rap stations, but one day my dad popped in this Cd, and now we all sing along to it on road trips, or trips to the store.1)Po Lazarus... man, this 1950's was originally recorded by a prision chain gang, the song being written by James Carter. I just wish that the chopping didn't drown out the lyrics.2)Big rock cany mountians.... the original adult version. This funny song is no Willy Wonka favorite.3) You are my sushine... Such a sad, touching song. I love this song, with it's syncappated country sound.4) Down to the river to pray... this is my favorite song to sing and listen to. I love picking out all the bacground harmonys. it is a beautiful song, with Aloson Krauss as lead vocalist.5) Man of Constant Sorrow.. a catchy, great song. If you've seen the movie, how could you think of anything other than George Clooney's eyebrows?6)Hard time Killing Floor Blues.. a beautiful song. Chris Thomas King's voice is so rich. Very thought-prevoking7) Man of constant Sorrow.. a beautiful guitar instrumental that gets you in a mood for music appreciation.8)Keep on the sunny side.. the titel says it all. A happy true-bluegrass number9)I'll fly away... an old hym that is very moving, though I like the higher pitched version in the movie better. Wonder why they changed it?10)Didn't leave nobody but the baby.... Ahh the sirens, the vocals are supurb, but when u really listen to the lyrics, they are quite desturbing.11) In the Highway.... if u haven't seen the movie (u need to) then u will not understand why there are three little girls singing.12)I am weary (let me rest).... one of my favorites, the Cox family is very talented.13)Man of Constant sorrow... I love this violin instrumental. It is my favorite song. A violin player myself, i guess I appreciate it, but it's just so beautiful!!14)o death.... O DEATH!!!! Ralph stanley's haunting tenor voice is perfect for this song. It upsets my mom, but I love it. It makes me thankful for life.15)In the Jailhouse now... a funny, uplifting song, with a suprising yodel. you should hear my family on this part, haha.16) Man of Constant sorrow... The full band id behind them this time, and I like it better than Just the gitar accompaniment (sorry tommy) (see the movie)17)Indian War Whoop... don't worry, it's not what it sounds like. it portrays the village idiots... once again, WATCH THE MOVIE18)Lonesome valley... while this is kinda a weird song, u have to admit, the vocal harmony is amazing.19)Angel Band.... this is a beautiful song. The stanley brothers are very good. In the movie i liked it better, but it's still wonderfull. I hope u found this movie.
Rating:
5 Excellent Bluegrass
This album plays like a dream. I can listen to it in various moods, and get a ton of enjoyment from it in any mood. Are you up for a road trip? Great CD. Are you up for lounging reading a book? Great CD. Are you wanting to have background music that will catch everyone's attention at a party? Great CD. Do you want to be exposed to some sweet bluegrass music? Great CD. Do you want to remember the classic movie, O Brother Where Art Thou? Great CD.Any way you stack it this is a great CD all the way through. There is not one song I do not enjoy on a regular basis.Highlights Include:Big Rock Candy Mountain - Harry McLintockYou Are My Sunshine - Norman BlakeDown In The River To Pray - Alison KraussI Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow - The Soggy Bottom Boys I'll Fly Away - Gillian Welch & Alison KraussAllision Krauss is new to me, but since this album I am sold on her. I highly recommend this album, you will not find yourself dissapointed in any way.
Rating:
5 O Brother, what a soundtrack!!!
This is the best soundtrack in the history of the world. It's true! I've listened to it over and over again. I have the CD for my home and the cassette tape for my car.I'd describe it as music reminiscent of Appalachia, with dulcimers, banjos, mandolins, etc. I LOVE THIS MUSIC!"...of constant sorrow, all through his days..."Ever since I first saw the movie (which I've now seen 4 times) I said, "I gotta get me some of that music!" And I did. Some of the songs (about four of them), I just don't care for. Thank goodness for fast forward. But the majority are just great. "In the Big Rock Candy mountain, all the cops have wooden legs..." Where else can you find music with that much depth?I'm sorry I can't put this into better words. This music just makes me want to crank up the volume, roll down the car windows (so everyone can enjoy it) and sing at the top of my lungs and smile, smile, smile. I don't care one whit for classical and I think this soundtrack is a balm for the soul, reaching and soothing the very depths of your being. Rose
Rating:
5 Another Coen Brothers Masterpiece
The music from this masterwork of the Coen Brother's imagination is eye-opening to say the least. I find it difficult to separate the movie from the music, so in this review I review both. Only the Coen Brothers, the team behind hits like The Big Lebowski and Fargo and masters of quirky and ultra-stylish genre subversion, would parody the plot line of Homer's Odyssey. The movie takes place in 1930s Mississippi. After the trio escapes from a work-farm, George Clooney, talks his chain-gang buddies John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson into helping in search for a treasure. A prophetic blind man on a railroad truck tells them the story of their lives, even though at the time, they think he is crazy. Pay close attention to this scene (it comes early in the movie) because it is the single most important scene in the movie. Anyways, without giving the whole movie away, it's basically a road-movie and it lends itself nicely to the DVD format. The picture, the sound is wonderful. 5.1 is always clean and the music in this movie is fantastic. Here is a list of the songs on the soundtrack 1. Po Lazarus - J. Carter & Prisoners 2. Big Rock Candy Mountain - Harry McLintock 3. You Are My Sunshine - Norman Blake 4. Down In The River To Pray - Alison Krauss 5. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow - The Soggy Bottom Boys featuring Dan Tyminski 6. Hard Time Killing Floor Blues - Chris Thomas King 7. Man Of Constant Sorrow (Instrumental) - Norman Blake 8. Keep On The Sunny Side - The Whites 9. I'll Fly Away - Gillian Welch & Alison Krauss 10. Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby - Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss & Emmylou Harris 11. In The Highways - The Peasall Sisters 12. I Am Weary - The Cox Family 13. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (Instrumental) - John Hartford 14. O Death - Ralph Stanley 15. In The Jailhouse Now - The Soggy Bottom Boys featuring Tim Blake Nelson 16. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow (With band) - The Soggy Bottom Boys featuring Dan Tyminski 17. Indian War Whoop (Instrumental) - John Hartford 18. Lonesome Valley - The Fairfield Four 19. Angel Band - The Stanley Brothers Pros: The Coen Brother's version of Homer's Odyssey, funny, intelligent Cons: Hard to follow for some The Bottom Line Great DVD, Great Soundtrack, do yourself a favor, pick up both the DVD and the CD, you won't be disappointed. Recommended: Yes
Rating:
5 "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
WOW! What a thrill to write a review about my favorite movie, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" This film playfully and respectfully salutes an era from long ago, the 1930's.......in the Gulf region of Mississippi..... loosely based on Homer's "Odessey", OBWAT is full of adventure, mystery and laughs, but the very best part of the movie is the music! Tastefully produced by T-Bone Burnett, classic hobo tunes like "The Big Rock Candy Mtn", "Keep on the Sunny Side" are beautifully captured by some of the best roots musicians you'll ever hear. Folks like Gillian Welch, Dan Tyminski[who is George Clooney's singing voice,] and my Hero, Dr. Ralph Stanley, who sings the spooky tune, "Oh Death", all add many layers to this film. Why, they're all my close friends that play on the soundtrack, some even appear on screen as themselves[most notably, Buck White and his 2 daughters, and Gillian Welch....] It's so exciting to see and hear Bluegrass music not only on the big screen again, but the audiences seem to love it as well! R_U_N_N_ O_F_T_ and S_E_E_ I_T...
Rating:
5 The angels have come down to earth
Never in my wildest dreams would I have dared to imagine the collection offered in the soundtrack for "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Traditional music champions Norman Blake and Gillian Welch, bluegrass giants Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss and Union Station (featuring Dan Tyminski), newgrass pioneers Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, and Stuart Duncan, and gospel masters The Whites and The Cox Family, join the very best a capella group ever (in my humble opinion), the Fairfield Four, for an unparalleled evocation of a singularly magical time and place.I especially appreciate the four renditions of Carter Stanley's "A Man of Constant Sorrow," which showcase the variety of expression found in traditional country music. Chris Thomas King's rendition of "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" has me sold on this (new to me) artist. As for Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, and Gillian Welch's rendition of the lullabye "Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby," these sirens can carry me away anytime.Best of all, this music makes you think, deep and hard. Who can remain unmoved by the overpowering humanity of "Big Rock Candy Mountain" (with the original lyrics- this ain't the song you learned in grade school) and "O Death?" This music stems from real human experience and will touch your soul.Who knows? With this CD's popularity, maybe country musicians will start singing the blues again!
Rating:
5 Brothers In Arms
The soundtrack to the Coen Brothers' O Brother, Where Art Thou? is one of the biggest surprises in music for 2000. The film starring George Clooney was not much of a success at the box office, but the soundtrack made up of dark bluegrass songs from the early part of the 20th century has become a major seller. In fact the album has set a record for the most weeks at number one for a soundtrack on the Country Album charts. This is a welcomed and warmly cheered surprise as the album celebrates an essential style of music from America's rich musical history. Album producer T-Bone Burnett has assembled a cast of unknowns, save Emmylou Harris & Allison Krauss, like The Fairfield Four, Gillian Welch and J. Carter & The Prisoners who specialize in this forgotten and overlooked genre. The songs have a stark and haunting quality that are accentuated by the sparse musical arrangements. The singing is alternatively raw and rough to lilting and gorgeous. Song after song provides you with an interesting, intriguing and satisfying listening experience especially "Po Lazarus", "You Are My Sunshine", "Down To The River To Pray", "Lonesome Valley" and "Didn't Leave Nobody But My Baby".
Rating:
5 A Breathe of Fresh Country Air
Glory, oh Glory! It's about time that a such a GREAT country album was released. For too long, country music has had the Faith's and Shania's of the world shoved down our throat with bland, pop-country "hits". With the release of the "O Brother Where Art Thou?" soundtrack, country has come full circle. Obviously, the bit hit on the album is "Man of Constant Sorrow" by The Soggy Bottom Boys (featuring Dan Tyminski). It's success on radio as well as CMT and GAC surprised many who thought it too "country". Isn't it nice sometimes to see people eat their words? Alison Krauss provides her vocal talent on four songs: "Down to the River to Pray"; "I'll Fly Away" with Gillian Welch; "I Am Weary" with the Cox Family; and "Don't Leave Nobody But the Baby" with Gillian Welch and Emmylou Harris, which is such a gem. If the vocals on the song don't send shivers down your spine, the added background sounds will. Other standouts on the CD include: "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues", "O Death" by the legendary Ralph Stanley, and "Angel Band" by The Stanley Brothers.Overall, the CD is nothing short of fantastic. True country fans will respect the use of more traditional artists like Ralph Stanley and Emmylou Harris. I can honestly say that there is not one bad track on the CD. Hopefully the release of the album will bring new fans to country.And as a side note, congrats to everyone involved on this fine album for their 2001 CMA wins! You definantely earned it!Gennie Bailey-Rogers
Rating:
5 a lovely mix of traditional music
Performed by some of today's best singers, this multi-Grammy Award winner is a marvelous addition to any country/folk music collection. Some of these artists are at the top of their field, but some will be "discoveries" for most of us, like the beautiful rendition of "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" by Chris Thomas King, a versatile young man who is versed in many styles, and here sings in the old blues tradition and does it brilliantly.The highlights for me are: The legendary Ralph Stanley, with his plaintive acappella chant of "O Death", which carries with it all the pain and soul of Appalachia, and the purity of "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" by the Soggy Bottom Boys, who consist of Union Station member Dan Tyminsky on lead vocals and guitar, backed by Harley Allen and Pat Enright. For anyone who likes traditional music, you can't get any better than this.Another acappella gem is "Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby", with Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, and Gillian Welch with harmonies that sound as if they came from another era. Everything on this disc recalls days gone by; there is a refreshing simplicity, and a lot of the songs are filled with faith. There is exquisite musicianship on this CD, and it is a nice long one at 60'34 minutes. The booklet insert is something I appreciate too; it is a collage of yellowed stained paper on peeling walls, with a terrific layout, and as it says on one of its pages, "Old-Time Music Is Very Much Alive".
Rating:
5 O Brother, Why Wasn't This CD Longer?
This musical journey through the Southern Depression is as appealing as the film on which it is featured. An evocative body of work, the selections were picked by the Coen brothers as they wrote the screenplay, and were intended to complement and at times be the centerpiece, not the background, of this entertaining and scenic film. The soundtrack features such talent as blues and folk guitarist Chris Thomas King, bluegrass and country singers Allison Krauss, Gillian Welch, and Emmylou Harris, plus old-time favourites like "You Are My Sunshine" and "Keep on the Sunny Side." The songs reflect an era of political change and reform, as well as a simple and southern way of life. To say that the music is good is an understatement - the quality of work on this cd is alone worth more than you'll pay. It takes a reminiscent and folksy ear, but you'll appreciate the throwback to older times, and enjoy the great sounds of the beginnings of southern country and bluegrass.
