3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Diverse American Music with Heart & Soul!, February 8, 2005
This review is from: America's Heart & Soul (Audio CD)
If you've already seen "America's Heart & Soul" (like me), then you'll probably love the fact that many of the great musical performances from the movie are now available in their entirety. On the other hand, if you haven't seen the movie, I think this album will still work for you - this is one of those rare soundtracks that stands on its own just as well as the movie it comes from. I could have easily picked up this CD before I saw "America's Heart & Soul" and enjoyed it just as much.
The best part about this soundtrack, obviously, is that the music is just plain good to listen to. But what I love most about these songs is their diversity - it starts with a really moving gospel performance, heads into a folk-country ditty, jumps into a rock jam, then lands in a New Orleans jazz / blues number . . . and that's just the beginning. Aside from rock'n'roll, I usually think of American music as being pretty plain and even boring, but this CD completely bucks that idea. It showcases so many genuine American styles of music you'd think it was a world music compilation - I actually got a little proud listening to this album, proud that I come from a country with so many wonderful music traditions.
"America's Heart & Soul" the movie could only hint at the great music its cast created on screen (it only had a couple of hours to tell its story) - that's why I highly recommend this soundtrack. Here you can listen to the extended versions of the same songs and performances, and really get a chance to appreciate them as they were intended to be heard. I'd have to say my favorite song on the soundtrack is 'Okalhoma Sunshine' by George Woodard - if you've seen the movie, you know George was an actor in Los Angeles who gave up the city life to move back to his father's farm and raise his son. The song he sings, just him and an acoustic guitar, has so much warmth and truth . . . it ranks right up there with anything by James Taylor or Neil Young . . . check out this soundtrack!
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