Emmy Rossum did a fine job of learning how to sing Appalachian style--she was (is still) a young actress from New York City with an opera background coached by Sheila Kay Adams. For the real thing, listen instead to Elizabeth LaPrelle , a young singer from southwestern Virginia who sings even better than the character of Deladis Slocum, and who know far more of Appalachian balladry than the few excerpts Emmy Rossum learned for the film.

--Charlie Baum