Lackawanna Blues [Soundtrack]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 8, 2005)
• Original Release Date: February 12, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Vanguard Records
• ASIN: B0007989PM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,186 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Mixing new versions of old songs with originals isn't a unique concept when it comes to constructing movie music, but it's seldom been done as effectively as on this soundtrack from the 2005 HBO film Lacakawanna Blues. Macy Gray, Robert Bradley, and perhaps most surprisingly, Mos Def--all of whom have parts in the film--contribute updated material which ranges from the jump blues of Mos Def's "Caledonia" to Bradley's sizzling low-down covers of Elmore James's "One Dime Blues" and Floyd Jones's grinding "Dark Road." Young old-school vocalist Ricky Fanté finds a sunny groove on Magic Sam's "That's All I Need," and the Blind Boys of Alabama, the go-to group for gospel, bring the church on a stunning "Faith and Grace."

The album's success lies in the way the predominantly obscure songs are sequenced. The spare but lovely Piedmont acoustic picking of Etta Baker's "One Dime Blues," Jimmy Scott's yearning, string-drenched ballad "If I Ever Lost You," and J.J. Jackson's Impressions' styled, finger-popping "But It's Alright" have little in common, yet comfortably share space with each other and the newly recorded tunes. This makes for a engaging collection of music that stands on its own as a compelling listening experience, even for those who haven't seen the movie that inspired it. --Hal Horowitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Album for R&B Fans and Newbies alike, February 26, 2005

By 

The Rocketman (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lackawanna Blues (Audio CD)

This little soundtrack, compiled lovingly, also doubles as a fantastic sampler of R&B music. So many styles introduced here: from the Acoustic Piedmont, to the Chicago Electric Blues, to the big band sound of the Jump Blues, to a cappella Gospel and on and on. Listen to this CD a few times and you will have a PhD in Bluesicology. More importantly, these songs haven't already appeared on 100 other soundtracks or compilations, so it's perfect for old and new R&B fans alike. Some of the songs here are original recordings and some were made for the HBO movie (Mos Def is the surprise here; listening to him tear into the Jump Blues songs, you know he would have been a recording star in any age).

After this CD excites your ears, you are ready to check out a variety of other CDs (all available on Amazon): Big Joe Turner (THE VERY BEST OF BIG JOE TURNER which also contains his version of "Caldonia"), anything by Louis Jordan for the master of Jump Blues (especially his BEST OF CD), T-Bone Walker who Chuck Berry claims was a major influence on his guitar playing (Walker's COMPLETE IMPERIAL RECORDINGS 2-CD is currently a steal), Cephas & Wiggins (for the new masters of Piedmont style pickin') and, of course, Ray Charles' Atlantic recordings.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blues, Both for Old as New, July 22, 2005

By 

LatinoNJ "Juan" (Newark, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lackawanna Blues (Audio CD)

Wow... what a trip! This album feels both old, with it's soulfulness, simple but deep lyrics.. and at the same time the music seems familiar and likable to us.
So many beatufil voices, at all ranges, from very low, raspy to high, energetic, inspiring voices... the flow of the album, is seemless, even though the music varies much from track to track.
Out of such a great compilation of songs as well as singers, I must applaude the performance of Most Def, the uplifting, inspiring, soulful rendition by the Blind Boys of Alabama, and the unbelievable combination of the voices of the soulful Robert Bradley and the raspy, distinctive Macy Gray. As you listen to the song for the second time, you know that they were meant to sing this track together. In many ways, so much alike, but each unique.
This album, deserves with all the rights, all the great reviews it has received.
We hope that this album is a glimpse as to where we are heading as far as music is concerned. If this is so, we have much to look forward to.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars IF YOU LOVE THE BLUES......................., February 14, 2005

By 

Maurice - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lackawanna Blues (Audio CD)

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU.....BLUESY BUT ENJOYABLE SOUNDTRACK TO THE MOVIE OF THE SAME NAME WHICH WAS EQUALLY ENJOYABLE....STANDOUTS INCLUDE "BUT IT'S ALRIGHT" BY J.J. JACKSON, "THAT'S ALL I NEED" BY RICKY FANTE AND THE INCREDIBLE "SOMETHIN INSIDE ME" BY ROBERT BRADLEY. "FAITH & GRACE" BY THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA IS MEMORABLE...POET/RAPPER/ACTOR/SINGER MOS DEF DELIVERS 2 SIZZLING TRACKS "CALDONIA" AND THE TANTILIZINGLY HOT! "DESTINATION LOVE"...GET THE BLUES...LACKAWANNA BLUES!