Back to the Roots of American Music Very

The film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" I know (yet) - but this soundtrack is unique! A cross-country tour of the roots of American music - the music of the common people: work songs of black farm workers, often with vivid memories of slavery; Spirituals; the music of white Sharecropper who often lived from hand to mouth; the songs of the chain convicts; but also dance music of European immigrants ... This stunning tour de force leads one possible through all facets of Bluegrass, Blues, Spirituals, folk and early Country. Traditionals its best you get here so authentic to hear how it's authentic never comes - and that, although they are new recordings of contemporary musicians at most tracks. However, here is the cream of the scene involved (including Alison Krauss, Norman Blake, Chris Thomas King, Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris, the Stanley Brothers and Ralph Stanley solo) that prove their class not least admirable empathy in these traditionals.

In addition there are a few original recordings, about Harry McClintock Cavalier "Big Rock Candy Mountain" from 1928, or, the same as the first, a Worksong the way they were sung by chain convicts: "Po Lazarus" by James Carter with prisoners. Not just good, but awesomely good ...

Also worth mentioning is a surprise of a different kind, namely the Peasall Sisters is with another Carter Family classic: sung "In the Highways" of carefree children ... At first, getting used to ... But these three girls who absolutely located nix scissors, are gorgeous in their own way. Honeysuckle ...

But the real jewels lie elsewhere; this soundtrack is chasing a one shudder after another down the back. Every song is just fantastic - hard to say what particularly high peaking out of this musical high massif ... I'll try:

Sure heard Alison Krauss' a capella "Down to the River to Pray" to the best songs of this CD; a poignant highlight ... She sings these Spiritual so vividly that you have to close one's eyes, and you find yourself right in the deepest south of the desperate 1930s. In top form Also Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch and Emmylou Harris will present at "Did not Leave Nobody but the Baby" - three singers with powerful voices who know well to hold back, make almost a capella these Spiritual to an event. The only instrument in the background - a "singing saw"; probably the first and only example in the history of music that this instrument has its place.

Similarly convincing: "I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow", twice by the Soggy Bottom Boys (along with Dan Tyminski, the singer of A. Krauss' Union Station) - this bluegrass version stands out even from Bob Dylan Impressive ... It does not get almost. But impressive are the instrumental versions: On the one hand stands the guitarist Norman Blake, and John Hartford lonely Fiddle calls of all mankind Jammer awareness.

Chris Thomas King's "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" also is certainly one of the best all-songs of this album - he shows here, which puts musical potential already in seemingly simple country blues.

Beautifully is "Keep on the Sunny Side of Life" of the Whites, all on the trail of the Carter Family.

A similar Höchstkaräter as Alison Krauss' "Down to the River to Pray" finally is Ralph Stanley's "O Death" - the desperate a capella suit of an old man who still wants to deal with a postponement of death. You must have heard how the grand old man Ralph Stanley uses his brittle voice here! Almost spooky.

Stylistically again very different but no less captivating are once again the Soggy Bottom Boys, this time with Jimmie Rodgers' classic "In The Jailhouse Now" - with Jodel deposits, as she had also Rodgers in stock ... A Must-Hear ..

And then the Fairfield Four with "Lonesome Valley" - an insight into the origins of the Spiritual. An archaic monument of choral singing - I could not believe that this is not a historical picture, but was re-recorded it. Unbelievable ...

No folk, blues, Spiritual-, bluegrass or country music collection can without the soundtrack of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" be complete. Who wants to know a little about the origins of contemporary music, this CD should not be missed as well.

And who has nothing with collections and music history at the hat, but "only" simply wants to listen to good music, which is this soundtrack especially applied to heart and ear.