Harlan County USA: Songs of the Coal Miner's Struggle

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 2006)
• Original Release Date: May 23, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Umgd
• ASIN: B000F7CEDY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,692 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The release of this compilation suggests that the coal miner's plight hasn't improved appreciably since the 1976 release of Barbara Kopple's 1976 documentary, Harlan County, USA. Few industries have inspired such impassioned folk music, as most of these 22 cuts depend more on the power and conviction of the musical testament than any polish in the performance. Almost a third of the selections feature activist Hazel Dickens, whose contributions to the soundtrack established her as the musical conscience of Kopple's film. Among the other highlights, the pinched harmonies of the Old Time String Band featuring Tracy Schwarz convey the faith of trapped miners in the heaven that awaits, while "Dark as a Dungeon" by Merle Travis remains one of the classics of the coal-mining songbook. A number of unvarnished, a cappella performances capture the essence of work that breaks your back, blackens your lungs, and ultimately takes your life. Many of the others are story songs of union heroes, management villains, mines closed, and lives lost. None of it is easy listening, for this is not an easy way to make a living. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A generous collection of chilling lyrical tales , November 23, 2006

By	J. Ross "a-music_fan" (Roseburg, OR USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Playing Time - 70:50

Who They Are: The songs (largely self-penned) are sung or played by Hazel Dickens, Old Home String Band featuring Tracy Schwarz, Sarah Ogan Gunning, Jim Garland (Sarah's brother), Johnson Mountain Boys, Country Cooking, Norman Blake, Merle Travis, Phyllis Boyens, Nimrod Workman (Phyllis Boyens' father), Doc Watson, Connie and Babe, J.P. Fraley, and Florence Reese

What They Do: This CD has songs featured in Barbara Kopple's Academy Award-winning film "Harlan County USA" along with additional material from Doc Watson, Norman Blake, and the Johnson Mountain Boys

The Songs: All but two of the songs (Hard Working Miner, The Death of Harry Simms) have been previously issued on Rounder (or Flying Fish) album releases. This is a nice thematic compilation with a strong traditional flavoring and edge. Si Kahn's "Lawrence Jones" was a splendid cover choice sung by Phyllis Boyens, accompanied by Pat Enright (guitar), Blaine Sprouse (fiddle), Mark Hembree (bass), Roland White (mandolin), Jerry Douglas (dobro) and Bela Fleck (banjo). Yup, three cuts feature these guys who were known as The Dreadful Snakes. There are also plentyof songs with leaner arrangements presented a cappella or with minimal instrumental accompaniment. And there's even "Trouble Amonst the Yearlings," with just mandolin and fiddle, as well as "One Morning in May" with only fiddle.

Of Special Note: Some of the strongest and most expressive emotion is evoked by those who have lived the tumultuous life below gorund where pitch black by the ton is mined.

Any Recommendations: Reckon I'd try to mix out the sneezing and coughing in the background of the song "Come All You Coal Miners" sung a cappella by Sarah Ogan Gunning.

The Bottomline Is: A generous collection of chilling lyrical tales about those places and hard-working men who toil where the sun never shines. I wonder how a similar thematic CD would sell of disaster, tragedy and weather event songs.

Reviewed By: Joe Ross (staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Songs of the Coal Miner's Struggle, August 7, 2007

By	A W (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

Voices whine as if constricted by coal dust. There's nothing cheerful here, though "Dark as a Dungeon" has a sweet tune and appealing lyrics, but the words and singers are authentic and true. This grim history produced bonafide music. The stories sung in this collection are intriguing; recommending the documentary.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Musical History of the Struggle of the Coal Miner, August 23, 2007

By	John F. Ziolkowski (BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The songs on this CD is a history of the struggle of the common man in the coal mines. While the songs might seem dated they are none the less a musical tour of the struggle. It is a great CD to play when driving.