Oh Brother Where Art Thou

er, no because I haven't seen it. Should I?

Steve- I've told you not to email me when I'm at work......

Is that what you call it?

I really enjoyed the movie, and the soundtrack, despite the absence of The Simpsons. As for the version of the song you mentioned, well, in typical 'folk' tradition, different interperetations are pretty much a free for all. I have a recording of 'O Death' by a band called Hesperus, which mixes medieval music with Appalachian tunes. It's fantastic. I also love Ralph Stanley's acapella version from the movie.

i remember reading an article once on christian music and how "oh brother where art thou" is the way it should be done.

Certainly. Taking my lunch in the office (al desko), I can allow myself a little peep into the etherworld.
Do yourself a favour, get it out on DVD, they'll be writing PhD thesiseses on it for years to come.

The type of music, called Sacred Harp was used in a number of songs in the movie. Songs like "Down to the River to Pray" These songs rely on harmonics, similar to the music of the Luvin Brothers (Theres a new album called Livin Lovin Luvin which features a number of the Luvin Brothers songs in harmonic and octave harmonies) Its a sound that, once you get used to it, you really love it.

I used to work near Mingo West Virginia and I would actually go to church on Sundays just to listen to the hymns. (Boy if they only knew)

Ahhhhh, wonderfully authentic music in that film. One of the only 'grown-up' movies I've really enjoyed in the last, hmmmmm, 3 or 4 years.

I loved the movie too. Had no idea what it was about when I went into the theater. That's a good way to see most flicks. Anyway, some friends of mine are off to see the Blind Boys of Alabama tonight.

ohh, the Blind Boys. I'm so peeved with myself that I didn't check the 'what's happening in Columbus, Ohio' site before I went down last week. They were there on Saturday night with Mavis Staples, and I would have LOVED to be at concert.

I can't wait to hear about it.....

The mysticism running through this movie works well, what with the blind oracle; the sheriff, who I think represents the devil, or Poseidon wreaking his revenge on Odysseus; the Sirens, etc. It doesn't get hokey. It just lends itself to a bemused befuddlement, like when Ulysses sees the cow on the tin roof, and shakes his head realizing the completion of the oracle.

I've noticed there's a strong current of mysticism in quite a few movies recently, like most of M. Night Shyamalan's movies; Frailty, who's mysticism was unsettling; etc.

I like the mysticism in Like Water for Chocolate.

Another very mystical movie is Miracle in Rome written by the "magic realist" himself, Gabriel García Márquez.

WOW....so that explains that movie!!!!.....Watched it.....liked it...love the music.

Mavis Staples?! Now that's a name I haven't heard in a couple of decades. Glad to hear she's still performing. That woman can blow!

I just ripped-off some songs* from the soundtrack, am listening to them right now. Upon hearing these folkloric songs again, especially the spirituals, it's obvious that the strength of this movie is it's music, and that is what lends a certain amount of credence to the misticism. At least for me, that's why it dosen't get hokey.

*will delete files in twenty-four hours.

InfraBlue, can you tell me how to rip-off songs from the soundtrack?
(And delete soon after, obviously)

I nearly bought the film on DVD in a music shop today. I may do this when I get a DVD player.

McT

PhDthesiseses

Thanks McTag, I haven't bought a DVD in a while, and unlike you I do have a DVD player

Was Phydythedeeses a Platonist?

I ripped off the songs through Kazaa.