Customer Reviews

The War: A Ken Burns Film

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This review refers to the SOUNDTRACK which is not made clear in the
title page.

"All that we've been given by those who came before,
The dream of a nation where freedom would endure.
The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day.
What shall be our legacy, what will our children say?
Let them say of me, I was one who believed in sharing the blessings I received.
Let me know in my heart when my days are through,
America, America, I gave my best to you.
America, America, I gave my best to you'
Gene Scheer

Ken Burns tells us that the music they chose for the 'The War' was either composed during or inspired by a war. It can be said that music often sets the stage for a mood or setting. This is entirely true for this series. It seems as Ken Burns says "the music was used to signify both the enormity of the war's tragedy, and the intimacy of the suffering borne by individuals around the globe." There are 67 tracks in this 4 CD series and each one evokes a mood, a memory, a sentiment, a tragedy, a feeling of loss, love or joy. This is one of the most beautiful and poignant pieces of music I have ever heard. It is truly exceptional music. It will take many hours of listening to fully comprehend the magnificence.


Nora Jones opening song 'American Anthem' by Gene Scheer is a touching song full of lyrics that pull at us, that "seem to give voice to the sacrifice, selflessness and bravery of those that were honored, the men and women who fought and won that necessary war on our behalf." It sets the tone for the rest of the CD's.

'For those who say they have nothing to share,
Who feel in their hearts there is no hero there,
Though each quiet act of dignity is that which fortifies,
The soul of a nation, that will never die.
Let them say of me that I was one who believed
In sharing the blessings I received.
Let me know in my heart when my days are through,
America, America, I gave my best to you.
America, America, I gave my best to you' Gene Schere

Wynton Marsalis will be found often on this CD, he composed and performed several songs. "Thanks to him, the Americans in our film go to war accompanied by strains suffused with the music that best expresses our country's grief and tragedy, joy and triumph - the blues." Ken Burns
Particularly memorable are 'Movin' back' and 'Until I'm In Your Arms Again.

One of the tracks most often used is "Sir William Walton's haunting, dirge-like "Passacaglia, the Death of Falstaff", written in England, during the Blitz, for Laurence Olivier's film Henry V, which premiered in London in November of 1944, seems to signify both the enormity of the war's tragedy, and the intimacy of the suffering borne by individuals around the globe." Ken Bunrs With Leonard Slatkin it becomes an anthem of War, we hear it time and again during the film of 'The War'.

Cellist Yo Yo Ma and bassist Edgar Meyer's music is poignant and timeless. "Ma's recording of Kayhan Kalhor's 'Blue as the Turquoise Night of Neyshabur,' made with the Silk Road Ensemble, fuses the sounds of Western stringed instruments with tabla drums of India and lutes of the Middle East, says Mr Burns." This track brings us some of the darkest moments and some of the most beautiful and haunting melodies. "Edgar Meyer's propulsive "In the Nick of Time" animated some of the film's most significant action scenes, particularly the crossing of the English Channel on June 6, 1944 - D-Day." Ken Burns

Aaron Copeland is represented with 'Concerto for Clarinet' and Benny Goodman played this extraordinary piece that portrays so many emotions.
Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Artie Shaw, Harry James, Cab Calloway, Count Basie and Frank Sinatra are all here with those tunes we know and love so well. The songs themselves will bring memories of yore :

'It's Been A Long Long Time', 'How Long Blue', 'If You Can't Smile and Say yes', 'We'll Meet Again, 'Dancing In The Dark', 'I'll Be Seeing You', 'Moonglow', 'Until I'm In Your Arms again', 'Movin' On', Boogie Woogie', 'Sing, Sing, Sing' are but just a few you will recognize and sing along with.

"In the spring of 1945, as the war in Europe drew to a close, the CBS radio correspondent Eric Sevareid was troubled. He told his audience: "Only the soldier really lives the war. The journalist does not -- war happens inside a man -- and that is why, in a certain sense, you and your sons from the war will be forever strangers." Ken Burns

There are few words to portray the artistry on these 4 CD's. The music is glorious, sad, melancholy, and respectful. The music on these discs are part and parcel of War. The music represents the memories and the mood of the war as represented. For the first time we are able to listen to a time in our history some of us lived through, fought in and brought home to our families. This was not a generation that spoke of their war. We learn of World War II through the marvelous eyes of Ken Burns and his associates who bring us this series. For our great-grandfathers, fathers, uncles, cousins, husbands and the women who supported them through this time in our Nation's history, We Salute You.

Highly, Highly Recommended. prisrob 09-25-07

The War - A Film By Ken Burns and Lynn Novick

The Civil War - A Film by Ken Burns

This 4-CD box set is offered as a companion to Ken Burns' emotionally sweeping, 15-hour epic, a powerful documentary that explores American participation in World War Two, which lasted from 1939-1945, with America entering the war in 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Like the film, the box set's reach is broad, yet its tone is intimate, gathering some of the best music of the WWII years, as well as new music written to commemorate the era.

There are four discs total, each with a different theme. The first is the official soundtrack to the film, a mix of golden oldies (Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Nat King Cole, etc.) along with powerful new incidental music composed by jazz legend Wynton Marsalis and contemporaries such as Yo-Yo Ma and Joshua Bell.

The second disc features slower big band ballads and pop vocal tunes, while the third CD picks up the tempo and swings, presenting big dance hits such as "Frenesi," "Sing Sing Sing," "Sheik Of Araby" and "Tuxedo Junction." Many of the best dance leaders of the era are represented -- Basie, Ellington, Goodman, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and Charlie Barnet, to name a few. Although there are plenty of artists and hit songs that could also have been included, like the film itself, the music box had to draw a line somewhere. Mostly what we get are the biggest hits, the iconic songs that still echo through our popular culture, even after the waves of pop, rock, R&B and rap that came in their wake. It's a strong introduction to the music of the swing era, and can serve as a springboard into deeper explorations of the style.

The fourth CD reflects the lingering prominence of classical music and "highbrow" music in American culture in the 1930s and '40s, and the emergence of new, uniquely American voices such as Aaron Copland, who created a very different style of "Americana" music than what we enjoy today. Some of the music seems chosen for its dramatic effect -- again, mirroring the cataclysmic events of the Second World War -- and some for its historical and cross-cultural significance, Benny Goodman performing in Copland's "Concerto For Clarinet, Strings, Harp and Piano," for example. All in all, this set evokes a bygone era when geopolitical lines were thrown to the wind like so many pick-up sticks, and popular culture was exploding as well, with old divisions being eroded and new patterns being drawn. In the off hours between episodes, this music can help as you digest the emotional and intellectual impact of Ken Burns' magnificent documentary. The enclosed written materials help explain the film, while the music helps us feel the pulse of the past. (DJ Joe Sixpack)

Ken Burns has created yet another master piece of documentary film. No less so is the music chosen for this film. My favorite is "American Anthem" sung by Norah Jones. I had to listen to the song over and over to finally get the lyrics. Any mistakes in the lyrics are due entirely to me. For anyone interested, here it is:

"All we've been given, by those who came before,
The dream of a nation, where freedom would endure.
The work and prayers of centuries, have brought us to this day.
What shall be our legacy, what will our children say?
Let them say of me, I was one who believed in sharing the blessings, I received.
Let me know in my heart, when my days are through,
America, America, I gave my best to you.

Each generation from the plains to distant shores.
With the gifts they were given, were determined to leave more.
Battles fought together, acts of conscience fought alone.
These are the seeds, from which America has grown.
Let them say of me, I was one who believed in sharing the blessings, I received.
Let me know in my heart, when my days are through.
America, America, I gave my best to you.

For those who think they have nothing to share,
Who feel in their hearts there is no hero there,
Know each quiet act of dignity is that which fortifies,
The soul of a nation, that will never die.
Let them say of me, I was one who believed in sharing the blessings, I received.
Let me know in my heart, when my days are through,
America, America, I gave my best to you.
America..............., I gave my best to you........."

This song is haltingly beautiful and wonderful. If I could, I would vote to make this song the new national anthem.

All of the music is top notch. However, no one is mentioning the lovely, plaintive piano rendition of the Elgar variation. In the film, this is often the backdrop to the times when the dead are remembered. This piece alone made the experience of watching and listening meaningful.

I purchased the cd collection of the music from "The War" this month as it was the perfect companion to the film. I really think the music enhanced the experience and it fit well. The big band music of the era evoked memories of my mothers childhood and the stories that she shared with my sisters and me about the war. Nora Jones haunting american anthem is a classic and contrast to the somber funeral of falstaff. I feel that the entire project is the best american documentary I have seen.
J.W. Larrick

I bought this CD pack used and have been very impressed with not just the quality of the music, but the great variety. From Big Band and Jazz, to Classical and even a few modern pieces from the movie, this is a great collection that seems to perfectly reflect a snapshot of music during the war years. I would highly recommend it!

I bought this with the expectation that it would not be as complete as I was hoping, however this turns out to be a more comprehensive guide to music and attitudes of America during the Second World War than anything I was expecting.

This soundtrack for Ken Burn's "The War" documentary can be evaluated on two different criteria:

First, there is the period music (mostly jazz). I did not buy the soundtrack for this reason, but for those older than I it will likely bring back many great memories of times gone by.

Secondly, however, there are the haunting melodies that are the undercurrent of the entire film. Whether it be the soothing voice of Norah Jones, the aching violin, or the soft, solo piano, this soundtrack perfectly blends the music to fit the tone of the material. Each time I listen to these tracks, it makes me remember watching the film, along with all the sadness and joy that came with that experience.

If you enjoyed "The War", you will more than likely also enjoy this collection of songs.

Two of the four volumes were excellent -- Hits From The Second World War, Dance Hits From The Second World War. The other were not, at least according to my tastes.

Though laborious at times, most of the music in this 4 cd set is exceptional.