Customer Reviews

Original Soundtrack Recording Mark Twain - A Film Directed By Ken Burns

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

 

 

As a lover of period music from the 19th century, and a major fan of Mark Twain, I wouldn't be without this CD - or the video it is from. Bobby Horton does a superb job, and listening is a spiritual trip back to a better time.

Of the 29 selections, about 1/3 are by Bobby Horton (multi-string instruments) about 1/3 are by Jacqueline Schwab (piano); the rest are by other artists you will want to get to know! The list includes favorites like: Sweet Betsy from Pike, Poor Wayfarin' Stranger, Hard Times (two renditions of this well-known Civil War song), Maple Meaf Rag, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, and 23 others. Aside from the historical significance, the music itself it simply beautiful, and the artists are top in their field. Much work was done to customize these selections for the movie, and the effort has paid off in a finished product that is timeless and perfectly balanced.

This is an excellent cd with enjoyable music from a Ken Burns film. If you like his work, you know he always has good background music reflecting the period in which his film takes place. There are authentic American songs, all instrumental. The only parts I don't like are the monologues inserted from the film. I would watch the film if I wanted to hear speaking parts. There are only a few and probably would be appreciated by most people.
I am still very pleased with this selection.

This is a nice relaxing old instrumental country music mix. If you enjoy Burns' movies, you will love this cd.

Music is interspersed with a sprinkling of quotes from Mr. Twain, as candid and clever as you might expect...and brief enough not to interfere with your music listening. Soundtrack feels true to the early american midwest, with authentic acoustic instrumentation. Great fun on roadtrips.

This is a slick little recording that sanitizes the tops of the pops of roots music - sort of a roots muzak experience. It's a pleasurable enough listen, and Bobby Horton is a wonder as a solo string player who overdubs up to 7 instruments on a much too up-tempo version of "Hard Times," but it's all just too, too clean. Good background music, though.