Providence: Music from the Television Series [SOUNDTRACK]

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 4, 2003)
• Original Release Date: January 8, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000069HJC
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,443 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. In My Life - Shawn Colvin

2. Laugh I Could Learn to Love - Gus

3. The Things We've Handed Down - Marc Cohn

4. Come Along - Titiyo

5. Linger - Jonatha Brooke

6. Forgive - Rebecca Lynn Howard

7. What Do You Hear in These Sounds - Dar Williams

8. Songbird - Eva Cassidy

9. Let the Sun Fall Down - Kim Richey

10. Con te Partiro - Andrea Bocelli

11. In My Life - Chantal Kreviazuk

12. Say Goodnight Beth Nielsen Chapman

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For the mature, family-oriented TV drama series Providence, nothing less than intelligent, thoughtful songs would suffice for its soundtrack. And from the folksy style of Dar Williams and Jonatha Brooke to the country-pop of Rebecca Lynn Howard and Kim Richey, this collection of songs delivers the goods. Most of the songs here would fall into the category of adult contemporary--Williams's ode to psychotherapy is lyrically incisive and fluffy with harmony, and Howard belts her delicate ballad with the elegant poise of Faith Hill. Individually, most of the songs manage to avoid AC's blandness, especially Shawn Colvin's sweet, wistful retelling of the Beatles' "In My Life," the show's theme song, and Titiyo's tart "Come Along." Yet as a whole, Providence can occasionally be bogged down by its deep sentiments, slow tempos, and monotonous instrumentation, especially near the end of the disc. While not a major flaw, unfortunately it does threaten to overwhelm the sterling songs included wherein--like Providence, music deserving of a wide audience. --Annie Zaleski

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Show, Amazing Soundtrack, October 20, 2002

By	cranfan2480 "cranfan2480" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

A show as wonderful as Providence deserves an equally impressive soundtrack, and this CD is no exception!

I don't usually like to buy soundtracks because there are always some songs I can't stand mixed in with the few that I like. That didn't happen here. I bought it for the standout "In My Life," by Chantal Kreviazuk (the theme song), but the rest of the songs, some of which I had never heard before (especially Dar Williams' "What Do You Hear In These Sounds") have become new favorites. EVERY SONG on this CD is excellent, especially if you can remember the context in which they were used on the show. "Let the Sun Fall Down" (with gorgeous cello) was used in one of the earliest episodes, in which a teenaged patient of Syd's eventually died.

The songs here are an eclectic mix that could probably be generalized as adult contemporary, with an emphasis on folk-pop. There's a definite autumn feeling to the album, maybe because Providence, being set in New England, has an autumn feeling itself. If you've never heard most of these songs, take a risk and buy the CD. It's definately one of my BEST recent music purchases!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended--not JUST for Providence fans!, October 6, 2002

By	Terrance R. Sprague (Westbrook, ME United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I AM a Providence fan, although the show gets a little to sappy sometimes. The CD is fantastic, though, and it really represents the wide range of emotions that are regularly prompted by the show. I could identify almost all the significant moments in the show when these songs were played.

The CD contains the newer, more contemporary sound that is sometimes more pop, sometimes more country, and sometimes a combination of both. My favorite is the last track, "Say Goodnight." It's a beautiful song. It was played 2-3 seasons ago when the teenager the Hanson family took in was killed in an auto accident. Very sad, but a soundtrack always has the most effect when you can connect it to the emotion you felt when it was played.

And, of course, I have always been a fan of the theme song, "In My Life," which is included in its entirety on the CD.

But, you do not have to be a "Providence" fan to enjoy this CD. It's a must for those who like the mellow sounds of well-written, well-sung songs.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful as the TV show.., September 13, 2002

By	J. Fryer "Judi, Entertainment-glutton" (Nicholasville, KY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One of the most pleasing facets of 'Providence' the TV series is the music, which is always 'just right' for the mood of the episode.

This CD offers you some of the best of the tunes featured on the show, including two versions of 'In My Life' the series' theme.

'Say Goodnight' by Beth Nielsen Chapman is particularly indicative of the musical sounds regular viewers associate with the beauty of the show itself. 'Con Te Partiro' by the great Andrea Bocelli is an added bonus as I see it, lending a different musical element to the caliber of the CD.

There have been numerous times I have checked the epidsode guide online for the titles of some of the songs used on the show when I wasn't familar with the particular selection. With this CD you can have your own 'soundtrack' of the Providence music anytime you want.