Christoff's Full Review: Down From the Mountain: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
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Why do all you folks get so bent out of shape over country music? Is it because of the current crew of pop-country folks? Is it because of the hats, the boots, or the chaps? Do you differentiate between country and folk and mountain and old-timey/down-homey and bluegrass? Well sir (ma’am), you see, it’s all, country.
In the old tradition, country music is a blend—hold on—of prett'inear every other music type. It comes from the traditions of Ireland, and Switzerland, and Poland, and Russia, and really, just about all of Eurasia. A good piece comes from Africa, too, who not only provided the near entirety of the American music tradition, also gave us that moonshiner mandolin, the banjo. And even more of this tradition comes from the Caribbean influence of the Dutch, French, and heck, maybe even a little Polynesian. In fact, other than far eastern cultures, country music is a combination of just about every type of music in the world.
This is (most of you peoples) in situ culture, it’s the essence of our humanity, our common history; sure, it’s about the rain-a-fallin’, the waters flowin, plants-a-growin’, flies buzzin’, knits knittin’, and gnats gnattin’, and yes, it is also about people hurtin’, and mommas dyin’, babys cryin’, lawyers a’lyin’, a bad-guy shootin’, and bums out lootin’. It don’t matter much if’n y’ain’t into their stories, neither—‘cause this music is for everybody, and it’s important that every child of this earth get some of it on their shoes.
… splat … ching …
The original motion picture soundtrack for the Coen Brothers “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” shocked a lot of record executives when it up ‘n went Platinum (one million copies sold). With a blend of traditional tunes performed by both the original as well as contemporary artists, it seemed as though country was on the precipice of a comeback — I say it’s never gone out — but, was the soundtrack popular just for the music, or was it for how well it was integrated into the film? If you can say “yep” to either, then please, read on (you hayseed).
After the musicians had completed the recording of the soundtrack, in May of 2000, they assembled for a live performance at Nashville’s own Ryman Auditorium (former home of the Grand Ole Opry). While not necessarily playing the same material that was presented on the soundtrack, offered music in the spirit of the movie—some of it old and reworked, and some it freshly written in the olden tradition. The album, Down From the Mountain, is comprised of recordings taken directly form this performance. Featuring Allison Kraus, Union Station, Chris Thomas King, the Whites, the Cox Family, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, and (the late) John Hartford, we are presented with nearly an entire new albums worth of material (save, the 3 freshly re-worked versions; “Po Lazarus” by the Fairfield Four, “Big Rock Candy Mountain” by John Hartford, and a real, extra purty Kraus/Welch duet of “I’ll Fly Away” , which here, is performed a bit more up tempo, and, like this whole durn recording, translates much better when recorded from the honesty of live stage, versus the sometimes sterile perfection of a studio).
… whew doggies …
This recording probably wouldn’t have seen the light of day if not for the success of the original (soundtrack), and a purest may see the Coen’s as cash-in artists who’ll bastardize sequel after sequel in the name of profit — ack — this is simply not the case. Rarely do follow-ups ever match the import of the instigator, this time, however, the sequel is better. The music is better here because it is truer. Music needs to be played to an audience, especially this type of music, in order for the essence of the music to come through. Each and every track on this album has a life about it that is as honest and true as back woods up-the-country folk can get.
Now it just figures that a nifty little all-star concert like this’n would come off with just a handful-a’folk to bear witness—but I hear tell that that director who did Bob Dylan’sDon’t Look Back, D.A. Pennebaker, dun made a documentary of this here shindig. Me, I’ll be a’whinin’ like a houn' dog ‘til I can get me a ride in ‘ta town so’s I can seez it at the picture show.
Now you, git.
¥
Great music to listen to while you’re: ridin’ into town, a whompin’ and a woompin’, and kill every last thing within an inch of its life...
UPDATE - See the real tour come Jan. and Feb. 2002!
http://www.downfromthemountain.com/concerttour.htm
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