Average Rating: 
Rating:  - A Real Soundtrack This Time
I'm sure I'm not the only person in the world who is repulsed by the very idea of a "soundtrack" in today's music business. All the big-selling movies put one out and it sells roughly as well as the movie tickets did but there isn't actually that much linking the two. The formula is palpable, a bit of "alternative" rock, some cheesy hip-hop and maybe the odd classic or two - none of which are actually played in the film. "O Brother Where Art Thou?" is completely different.To begin with, every second of music on the CD is used in the film for varying effects. I actually had the interesting experience of listening to the soundtrack about a month before I finally saw the film on DVD and the number of times I found myself making such inane comments to the empty house as "So THAT'S why they have three women singing that song" or "NOW I get that bit" was truly embarrassing.
The second major factor is exactly what is on the soundtrack. I once read the description of this disc as being "a collection of bluegrass music used in a film loosely based on the Odyssey". Not quite the best possible marketing pitch, but yet a complete summation of what you'll hear when you press the "play" button on your stereo. None of these over-dramatic post-grunge artists raving on about their personal demons or any "thugs" bragging about their life - just the sounds of the real old school, the 1920s style of old school. It is possible to appreciate this soundtrack as a stand-alone CD, as should be the case for any movie tie-in - especially one which was given a Grammy. That said, several songs ("In The Highways", "Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby", "Down In The River..." and the two vocal versions of "Man of Constant Sorrow" being the most obvious examples) do play important parts in the film and thus some amount of the experience is lost without a functional knowledge of what's actually going on. It's very hard to pick a favourite track or tracks here, as the styles are quite different from cut to cut and the CD is constructed in such a way as not to over-emphasise one particular act or song over another. Certainly "Po Lazarus" is one of the better ones here, it also holds the distinction of being the only song not recorded specifically for the soundtrack - it's apparently an Alan Lomax field recording of an honest-to-goodness chain gang on rock-breaking duty. Another standout for me is the version of "You Are My Sunshine", the full lyrics - as opposed to the chorus which everyone always sings - are not as upbeat as I had been led to believe, as they in fact deal with breaking up with one's significant other. Of course, both for plot reasons and for sheer enjoyment, the three contributions by the Soggy Bottom Boys are also great favourites.
The "old-timey" harmonies which are provided in "Constant Sorrow" are brilliantly evocative of any number of acts while being a carbon copy of none, and from the moment that Dan Tyminski (George Clooney's voice double) lets forth with the line "I am a man of constant sorrow" to open the song, you know that he's singing about something he knows all too well. Having seen the film, it's almost impossible not to have a flashback to the scenes where the song is first recorded, and then the climactic concert scene where the other members strike up the song and surprise Clooney - along with his outlandish false beard. "In The Jailhouse Now" is a very funny song to begin with in a lyrical sense, and the nonchalant vocal delivery of "I had a friend named Ramblin' Bob/He used to steal, gamble an' rob" as the song opens will break up the most serious of demeanours. The yodelling - which looks hilarious in the film - is an added bonus. My one problem with this CD is that some of the songs are too short. Granted, the concept of a 3:30 song was a very long one to the people of the time, but some of the songs seem to chop and change a little too fast for my liking - then again, they've said what they need to say both lyrically and plot-wise by the time they end. Also, Chris Thomas King's "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" is not as instantly strong as the rest of the album. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it takes several listens to discern his vocals under the guitar - which, after all, adds realism to his "Tommy Johnson" character, a very clever Robert Johnson pastiche. All things considered, a very good album indeed. It's particularly hard not to be singing along with most of the songs here after one or two listens and it can be appreciated by anyone looking for a good listen without any of the malaise which seems to be going through popular music today. While considerable enjoyment can be achieved without having seen the film, I thoroughly recommend it as well in order to greatly improve the listening experience - and the viewing one as well. At last, a soundtrack worthy of purchase.
Rating: - Just a great CD
I haven't seen the movie -- YET! However, I bought this CD because I am a great fan of bluegrass, gospel, old time folk music. This CD has roots. I think no matter what your background is, where you come from, the music on this CD brings back memories, or should, anyway. I especially love Alison Kraus' "Down in the River to Pray". I've not heard a more beautiful version of that song ever. Gillian Welch and Alison do a wonderful job on "I'll Fly Away". "Angel Band" needs no reviews; the Stanley brothers do an amazing job on that cut. The Whites, The Cox Family, Emmylou Harris, Dan Tyminski, Norman Blake, are all superb on this soundtrack. Bluegrass rules, most of us know that but I believe this CD is going to help those who have not had an appreciation for this music to have a new outlook on the music that really shaped America. Whether or not you have seen the film, the soundtrack will take you back in time.
Rating: - Easily the best soundtrack album of 2000
Don't take the word "soundtrack" too seriously with this album: it absolutely stands on its own as a lovely collection of old-timey/bluegrass/folk from the Depression era and doesn't come across as a pre-packaged film promotion. Indeed, the liner notes suggest that the soundtrack was created before the film was actually made, with the music intended to add color to the film. I am eagerly awaiting this movie, and after having listened to the entire CD twice in a row upon receiving it, I am looking forward even more to seeing it to see how well the music fits into the overall experience.Featuring well-known artists like Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, and the Cox Family, the album also showcases some other performers that I'm not familiar with (and therefore won't comment on their reputations and show my ignorance). There are also some original recordings (such as Harry McClintock's "Big Rock Candy Mountain", for one). The liner notes contain a lot of information about the genesis of the album and the part the music plays in the movie. It's clear that those involved in the making of this album put a lot of care into it and respect for the music. Standout tracks for me: The Whites' "Keep on the Sunny Side" and Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch's cover of "I'll Fly Away".
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