Album Name: O Brother, Where Art Thou? Singer(s): Various Artists Recorded: Released: December 5, 2000 Genre: Soundtrack Length: 61:24 Label: Mercury Records
Album Review
O Brother, Where Art Thou? is the soundtrack of music from the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? an American film starring George Clooney. Set in Mississippi during the Great Depression, three friends escape from a prison chain gang and search for fortune and love. The adventure is loosely based on Homer's Odyssey.
The soundtrack uses U.S. music from the era when the film is set (American roots music): music appropriate to that time and place, a marked break from the current Hollywood practice. The score, produced by T-Bone Burnett, prominently features bluegrass, gospel, blues and country music. With the exception of one vintage track (Harry McClintock's 1930s single "Big Rock Candy Mountain"), most tracks are recent recordings by musicians who play in the vintage style. The tracks are by such artists as John Hartford, Gillian Welch, Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss, The Fairfield Four and Norman Blake. Contrary to the Hollywood "common wisdom" that non-contemporary music alienates audiences, the soundtrack CD became a best seller, with more than 5 million copies sold. The soundtrack is credited in reviving interest in American bluegrass music.
