Customer Reviews

Jesus' Son: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1999 Film)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The soundtrack to "Jesus' Son" is a superb collection of songs that wonderfully serves the film's grim yet hopeful tale of a junkie's odyssey through despair into redemption. Many of the tracks are period pieces from the era in which the story is based, accurately evoking the awkward transition from the free-thinking 60s into the less-assured 70s.

Floyd Cramer's piano on "Last Date" opens the disc on a suitably melancholy note, reflecting the heartache present throughout the film. That mood never dissipates. Even an upbeat tune like Tommy Roe's bubblegum classic "Sweet Pea" sounds sad, having heard it within the context of Alison Mclean's film (despite the fact it is used during a pretty hot dance of seduction by Samantha Morton).

Joe Henry's cover of "Unchain My Heart", and the two songs by Wilco will interest the alternative country fan base, as will Doug Sahm's brilliant "(Is Anybody Going To) San Antone?" - after all, he influenced legions of country and roots-rock acts.

But for my money, the real bounty here is the inclusion of SSgt. Barry Sadler's "The Ballad of the Green Berets", Barbara Mason's "Yes I'm Ready", Paul Revere and the Raiders' "Indian Reservation", and the aforementioned "Sweet Pea". What a joy to have these great songs close at hand without having to scrounge through the old, scratchy 45 collection. These tunes are too good to be relegated to a K-Tel "Baby Boomer Hits" compilation.

In addition to the tunes that found their way onto this CD, this film had some great original music, including the absolutely beautiful title piece written by Joe Henry. I'm usually not much on soundtracks that just collections of other people's songs, but this unusual collection combined with the original music make this a gem.

I purchased this CD on a Friday, I think. It arrived a few days later in good condition. Very pleased with the CD and the service.

Jesus' Son is an extremely unique, odd, yet beautiful Film. And the Soundtrack to it flows in perfect harmony with the: scenes, dialogue and character development.


I Highly recommend both the Film and the Soundtrack,




- Louis Orphée Godard

I don't absolutely love every song on the CD, but the overall feel brings back the 70's in a junky-distorted nutshell. The movie was pretty brilliant, and I can see each scene in the movie when I hear the songs. I listened to it many over times over when I first got it, and I continue to listen to it with regularity. I can't get the song "Sweet Pea" out of my head. I gained new appreciation for the pop tune. The price was definitely worth it and the seller shipped very quickly.

When the two are at that dance and then a slow song comes on and they both start dancing to it... does anyone know that song that they slow dance too??????

i'm bothered by the absence of heroin by velvet underground. it doesn't shine in the same quiet way as the movie.