Customer Reviews

We Were Soldiers

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Many millions were moved to tears by the dramatic conclusion of the funeral of President Ronald Reagan, in which a powerful piece of choral and instrumental music was played while the honor guard marched in, lifted the casket, and recessed down the aisle with the cross and candles and priests leading the way. That music was an arrangement of the last cut on this album, and the album is worth it if only to be able to have this music handy for future reference. I remember thinking, as the tears streamed uncontrollably down my face, that I'd have maintained my composure but for the music. Indeed, I never shed a tear during the funeral until that music began to play over the scene of the handsome young soldiers bearing their commander-in-chief to his final resting place. I remember thinking that this music had a cinematic quality to it, deeply sad but carrying a strength and resilience that perfectly matched the image of the President as he was recalled by the eulogies of those who loved him. A powerful piece of music indeed, and one that should be remembered even if the rest of the album is less memorable.

I saw this movie the other night, and was deeply touched and impressed. The orchestral soundtrack was a perfect match with the story, creating an atmosphere of patriotism, and yet sadness that this kind of sacrifice in necessary for our country's defense. I went out and looked, and found this CD, and didn't look at it closely enough until it was open and too late.

To this album's credit, its actual title (not as seen here) is "Music From And Inspired By" We Were Soldiers. To be precise, two tracks of fourteen are heard anywhere in the film: the last two, one of which is the closing credits. Here I was, looking for beautiful, classical-style soundtrack music a la Braveheart or Gladiator, and I am treated to truly boring new offerings from groups like Five For Fighting and Train. Don't get me wrong: I own albums from both of these groups that I truly enjoy listening to. But this is not the time or place for them.

It is one thing for a movie to advertise itself with the popular music it sports, to bring in viewers who assume that anyone who has the good taste to put Dave Matthews, or Three Doors Down, or whatever other band into their movie, must be capable of putting together a movie that is decent in other respects too. But this CD is nowhere near what the music of this movie was really about.

This collection of songs seems to be more a testimonial to our military than entertainment for our jaded ears. We need only contemplate those involved to see that it's another gift of a sort from Mel Gibson, et al. Sure, they make the money - but we have the profound experience of listening, and of hearing what these songs say to us about war, love, and sacrifice. The first cut, "For You", in the gravelly, aged, tired, and marvelous voice of Johhny Cash, with a bit of sweet balance from Dave Matthews isn't, as someone earlier commented, a "rockabilly duet" - this is a song done in the first-person tense, of that ultimate sacrifice made 2000 years ago on a cross outside of Jerusalem, and it reminds us that our military - in whatever wars - have been ready to sacrifice their lives as well. An outstanding musical performance, followed by 12 more good-to-excellent pieces which all, in one way or another, reflect the experience of war. The biggest goose-bumps are saved for last with "The Mansions of the Lord". Who would have guessed that in this age of hip-hop and half-dress a pair of contemporaries would reach into their souls and present to us a hymn truly of the Grand Tradition: the words were written today/the words were written 2000 years ago; the melody is simultaneously anguish and triumph. The composer (Nick Glennie-Smith) and the lyricist (Randall Wallace - who wrote Gibson's film "Braveheart") have given to every fallen soldier's loved ones a glimpse of that soldier's Easter Day. This hymn is now being performed during military funerals - a tradition begun in Ronald Reagan's funeral at the National Cathedral. So - this album is great listening, with a good mix of performers, and styles - but beyond that, it's music that speaks to the soul.

I was very disappointed with this soundtrack. The music from the film is notably absent. A soundtrack is supposed to feature music from the film, isn't it? This CD simply fails to remind of the film in any way. Overall, a good CD, but it has little to do with the movie. The only track on this CD which reminds me of any portion of the movie is the Gallic piece they play during dustoff.

Well, kind of anyways. I bought this cd right after the movie, not thinking to scout out the cd when I purchased it. I had assumed that this cd would feature the score and IT DIDN'T! Oh well, my stupidity is to blame for that I suppose.

Among the songs on this cd are a few solid songs like Tammy Cochran's 'I Believe' and a new version of Steven Curtis Chapman's 'Solidier'. Buyer beware, though, this cd only has one song from the movie. If you want my honest assessment, buy the REAL movie score, not this cd.

This was an excellent collection of music. It was not necessarily all the music in the film, but the two best songs on the CD are Sgt. Mckenzie and Good Man. I have never heard a sountrack that brings back the feelings and memories you felt while watching the film itself. It was an amazing film and music always plays a part in that, and this music demonstrates that.

...

I thought that the majority of these songs used for this soundtrack were great. Especially Sgt. MacKenzie & Mansions of the Lord which were the only two songs from the actual film...the singer/songwriter Joseph Kilna MacKenzie is a member of the group Clann An Drumma. Its the guy singing several times in the movie.

One thing to keep in mind is that besides the two above mentioned tracks the rest of the songs were INSPIRED by the movie. They were written to augment the feelings artists got from the movie.

Coming from a family member of one of the soldiers that served and died under Gen Moore's command in the Ia Drang Valley, I must say that this cd fully captures the wide range of emotion that everyone involved has felt along the way. A big thank you to the artists that participated. Your music brought me to tears!

It seems like everyone who has reviewed this album has felt obligated to weigh-in on the "Soundtrack" controversy; let me simply say that I knew what I was purchasing, but I feel bad for those who bought this album and didn't receive what they were expecting. I'm also disappointed that their 1 & 2 star reviews have dragged down the resulting overall average customer review, because this diverse collection contains some terrific songs, and deserves a better score than it's currently stuck with.

"The Widowing Field" is sparse, haunting, amazing and unforgettable. I own every album Jars of Clay has released, and this has easily become my favorite Jars song. "Some Mother's Son" is beautiful & heart-wrenching. "For You" by Johnny Cash & Dave Matthews is a great collaboration. India.Arie's "Good Man" accomplishes the unusual feat of being touching and gritty at the same time. Mary Chapin Carpenter's "My Dear Old Friend" is a stunning interpretation of Patty Griffin's classic.

Bottom line: this CD exceeded my expectations. My compliments to its producers, and to the contributing artists.

Sorry some people have been disappointed that this is not the soundtrack. But...the music is a perfect tribute to the film and the men portrayed there. I am a veteran and a close friend of Joe Galloway, Bruce Crandall and many more of the real life soldiers in the story. Randy Wallace did this album for them..and for all of us who have not had our songs sung. Listen to the words, they mean a lot to us.