O Brother, Where Art Thou?
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Free Music Notes for O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Free Music Review: Fascinated, Soothed, and Tantalized by American Music Roots
Hit: 5 Stars
There are many, many of us who grew up with rock, from its birth to its prime, partial demise, and now resurgence as classic. We have developed notions that the only good music left is the music from the sixties, and even now we listen to those same songs or newer ones that capture that rock flavor. Now, through the soundtrack of this very interesting film, we have a chance to listen to the captivating lyrics and simple melodies of music that eminated from the heart, soul, and pain of the depression era. Unpretentious, sweet, truthful, and sometimes deeply sexy, this variety of songs can be mesmerizing to those of us who have kept an ear out for something worthwhile to listen to. Even though the qualities of rap, punk, Ska, or hip-hop have their places among the young masses, they somehow don't click with many of us a generation or two further along, particularly in the satisfying ways that we long for. This exposure to "new" music from very old sources finds here some very satisfied listeners. The siren song especially speaks in a subtle, powerfully seductive voice that befits the tale of the Argonauts. Many other songs simply find a comfortable, poetic, genuine sharing of human feelings. A passionate delight throughout.Free Music Review: O brother, thou hast come!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is an amazing compilation of spare, early American folk music. It's like one of the old Alan Lomax collections (in fact, I think the first song, Po' Lazarus is from one of his compilations), with the old mountain tunes, gospel blues and early country that his work is known for. So, if you're a fan of that kind of early American folk and gospel, that spare, bluesy, plaintive melody, you'll likely love this album. After you hear it, you'll probably want more, but unfortunately, some of the songs were not performed by existing groups (the filmmakers apparently brought together an incredible group of single artists to perform together) so you'll just have to track down each of the artists' own work, which unfortunately again, is often not the same as the work they performed on this CD.
I liked the collaborative songs here more than the artists own styles. One of my favourite songs on the album is done by three young girls (In The Highways by the Peasall sisters), who are not even recording artists and there is nothing else of their amazing talent available- O, sisters, where art thou? Even if you have never considered this genre of music before, give it a try and if you know where I can get some more, please let me know.
Free Music Review: Brothers In Arms
Hit: 5 Stars
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".Free Music Review: Never listened to bluegrass before, but now I'm a fan.
Hit: 5 Stars
I saw this movie while passing time waiting to meet someone in a mall and as soon as I got out of the movie, I went to a record store in the same mall and bought this sound-track. I'm not a country or bluegrass fan, but this recording is so good it defies labelling. I took it home and began to listen to it. My 16 year old daughter and 12 year old son usually leave the room when I listen to my music, but they both stayed put. They began questioning me regarding various subjects from the depression to Greek History. (The movie is a re-telling of the Odyssey story of Homer) The next day when I went to start the CD again, it was missing from my CD player. My kids, whose usual musical tastes run to Smashing Pumpkins and other grunge rockers whose names I can never remember, had actually taken my CD and were listening to it. I found out because I heard them fighting over who would get to use the CD next.
If you knew my kids, you would realize how entertaining this CD must be. I don't have words enough to describe how much I enjoy Man of Constant Sorrow, Down in the River to Pray, and In the Jailhouse Now, and all of the other selections. Listen to it and you may be surprised how much you like it.
Free Music Review: Now for Something Completely Different!
Hit: 5 Stars
I am writing this review for any music lovers who may NOT have bluegrass or folk music on the top of their list when purchasing a CD. I myself, listen to a variety of music, but have never considered bluegrass something I would listen to more than in passing. I was wrong.I purchased this CD after watching the Coen brother's movie of the same name. The music was such an intergral part of the movies storyline and emotional impact, I had to get the album and give it a try. You see, folk music is about storytelling. As opposed to most pop and rock that focuses on catchy rhymes about sex, opposite sex, and raunchy sex (did I mention sex?), folk music tells stories about people. These people could me you and I, and they could be thinking about sex, but they are also living out life, and experiencing the World while you are along for the ride. It's truly refreshing, and I've made it a part of my regular CD rotation.
I've also begun to add storytelling elements to my own songwriting. I find that I have a lot more to say than " la, la, la, la, I love ya, ya, ya, ya!" We all have a story to tell. We are all just folks after all.
I owe it all to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
Praise be!