The blue-grass/country music soundtrack to the Coen Brother's film "O, Brother, Where Art Thou?" has created a revival in this type of music. I have to confess that I'm hooked on this music as well. The music harkens back to the music of the times; 1930's bluegrass, gospel and blues. It's simple yet pure music and very uplifting. I actually listen to the soundtrack before seeing the movie, but the music takes on a new life when heard within the context of the movie. Producer T. Bone Burnett did an excellent job in recruiting some of the best blue-grass and country players from today to perform this music of the past.
If you can call any of these songs the "single" from the album, it would be "I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow" performed by the Soggy Bottom Boys in the movie, but sung in "reality" by Norman Blake. The song is extremely catchy and powerful. More blues inspired than anything, it features great guitar-work and harmonies. The song was a fictional radio hit in the movie, but it really deserves the same treatment in reality. In the same spirit, Chris Thomas King's "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" is a heartfelt and very quiet sounding blues song. King actually sounds a little like Eric Clapton here, and his guitar playing is equally as inspired. Alison Krauss makes an impressive appearance on "Down to the River to Pray". Featuring just her voice and a chorus, the song is a lush example of an old-time gospel song. The vocals alone create a very lush and orchestrated sound that may very well be the most interesting song on the cd. Krauss sings along with Gillian Welch on "I'll Fly Away" accompanied by some light guitar that sounds almost like mandolin. These two, along with Emmylou Harris, harmonize amazingly well on "Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby". This was probably my favorite scene from the moview when the three escaped prisoners encounters some sexy "sirens" singing and washing clothes by a river. "Lonesome Valley" is another gospel inspired song. Sung by the Fairfield Four, it's a haunting yet beautiful example of black spiritual blues. The opening song, "Po Lazurus" shows off the old "chain-gang" singing style of black workers. The cd also features the fun "In the Highway" sung by three young sisters, Hannah, Leah, and Sarah Peasall. The girls do a great job singing, and it fits in very well with the other tracks.
If I had time, I could do a full review of the movie also! The movie is a great piece of work, yet could appear a bit strange for some people. The Coen Brothers have a knack for making movies like this. The movie makes some light fun of southern society during the depression era, but doesn't come off as being cruel or insensitive. If anything, the beauty and simplicity of the music shines through very well. This type of music revival sung by some of the best folk and blue-grass musicians is a very welcome addition to anyone's music collection.
