Transamerica [SOUNDTRACK]

David Mansfield (Composer), Dolly Parton (Composer, Performer)

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: February 7, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Nettwerk Records
• ASIN: B000CSTKLA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #121,039 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Given the ultraconservative views of the core country music audience, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered communities might get a small chuckle out of the fact that the predominant genres on this soundtrack to a film about a pre-operative male-to-female transsexual and her son are country, bluegrass, and gospel. But that music was precisely the right choice. Not only are the two main characters, Bree and Toby, journeying through the heartland of America, but their trip is also a journey of transformation. (And Toby believes the woman who has come to get him is a Christian missionary.) To underscore these points, writer/director Duncan Tucker has hand-picked his songs and artists, especially Duncan Sheik's poignant "I Am a Pilgrim," Wylie and the Wild West's gorgeous "Odessa Yodel," and Old Crow Medicine Show's "Take 'Em Away." And Dolly Parton, whose Oscar-nominated "Travelin' Thru"--a song she wrote specifically for the movie--has long appeared to some as the ultimate female impersonator, given her flamboyant wigs, dress, and oversized smile. More importantly, she has been outspoken in embracing her huge GLBT fan base. Her song boasts a fine lyric about redemption, spiritual searching, and connectedness, even as the melody and arrangement incorporate so many features of her other work that it seems a bit of a retread. Typically, four snippets of dialogue ("That'll put hair on your chest." "Hope not.") are interspersed between songs, and most of them fall flat if you haven't seen the film. Still, like the best of country, bluegrass, and gospel, the album conveys a devout truth that conjures the emotional fervency and release of reaching one's destination--and finally coming home. --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dolly is amazing on this CD!, February 21, 2006

By	J. Abercrombi - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I didn't see this movie but I hope to. I purchased this CD because I am a big Dolly Parton fan. And Dolly does not disappoint on this CD. She sings the theme song "Travelin' Thru" and it is amazing, and I am certain it will become one of her newest hits. I also really enjoyed all the other tracks on the CD. One of my other favorites was "I Find Jesus" by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. I look forward to seeing this movie soon and hearing all these wonderful tracks.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great - Like the Film, February 10, 2006

By	Kevin Burk (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I loved Transamerica, and thought Felicity Huffman was excellent.
But another major aspect of this film is the music. All the selections work so well.
I especially like Take 'Em Away - from the scene where they are coming into the young man's hometown.
This is a great CD, not only as a soundtrack to a great film, but it also stands on its own.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best song nobody heard, March 25, 2006

By	J. L. Johnston (N. Nevada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you never saw the movie you didn't hear the song. If you did see the movie you might not have hear it. It was played over the final credits....a huge mistake! Most people got up and left before the song started. Dolly Parton put heart and soul into this song. It is truely life affirming. The lyrics will give strenght to anyone who has had a tough time. The album follows the movie's sequence, so the two favorites are at the end. The music in the movie does not use all of each song. However the album plays them out to completion. If you liked the movie...buy the album....if you like Dolly Parton...buy the album. I liked the movie, now I am a Dolly fan. This was the best original song of 2005 and I don't care what the Oscars say.