O Brother, Where Art Thou

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: gnu
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 01:27 PM

I was in the truck about ten minutes ago singing along to the studio verision of "I'm A Man Of Constant Sorrow". The movie soundtrack is excellent as well, but the other is more "suited" to driving.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 12:25 PM

T-Bone Burnett On 10 Years Of 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?', from All Songs Considered, on NPR.

This is a 28-minute interview! Plus, full audio for 5 songs (plus Mood Indigo, which is mentioned in the interview but not on the album).

"When the soundtrack to the Coen Brothers film O Brother, Where Art Thou? hit American ears 10 years ago, the impact was as massive as it was unexpected. Led by producer T-Bone Burnett, the album paired contemporary artists with the folk, blues, country and gospel of the movie's Depression-era setting. It became a runaway hit, selling roughly nine million copies and scoring a Grammy for Album of the Year. More importantly, it kick-started an Americana music revival that is still going strong.

"A 10th-anniversary reissue of the soundtrack came out this week, featuring a second disc of material not included on the original release. On this episode of All Songs Considered, Burnett speaks with Bob Boilen about the significance of the album a decade later, and plays selections from the new deluxe edition."

Here's a Los Angeles Times article on the 10th anniversary re-issue.

At Amazon.com (with track listing and samples)

At iTunes

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 02:56 PM

Sorry. The story can be found through google, but has been removed from the website of this Nashville paper.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Oct 03 - 02:52 PM

Albert Brumley and Sons settled their civil action for unauthorized use of the song, "I'll Fly Away," published in 1929 by Albert Brumley Sr. Amount of settlement not disclosed. Action was against Faith Evans and her publishers and publishers for Puff Daddy. The story is three years old.
Some people consider the song to be traditional. It'll cost you

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: harpgirl
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 10:31 AM

...watching "Down From The Mountain" helped me to erase the Hollywood movie around those beautiful songs. But my most critical musical friend thought the performances in "Down From the Mountain" weren't that hot either.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 09:36 PM

So are you saying you didn't like it or what?

Spaw (:<))

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Mudlark
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 09:24 PM

To Art...You are a voice, crying in the wilderness. Just saw this movie last night via satellite and was totally disgusted at the insulting way this wonderful music was used and misused to further such gross, cheapshot stereotypes. This movie makes the worst sitcom on TV look like high art. To say I was disappointed doesn't begin to cover it...I got so steamed watching it I finally turned it off, cooled down by listening to my own recordings of traditional music.

I read the T. Burnett interview and in the lead-in there was something said about the musicians that "view this music as a religion." While I wouldn't put it that way myself, I do feel this music, the people who wrote it, the people who sang it, and the people who are singing it now deserve so much more than this rip-off drivel. The casting was crap too, but who cares in such a lowball mess of a movie. Thank goodness I didn't pay to see it in a theater!

Had the Coen Bros. been around 60 years ago I'm sure their movies woould be full of characters like Stepnfetchit...Feets doan fail me now....

Sign me....Not a Fan!

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 29 Oct 01 - 05:27 AM

Herself was very pleased at getting me what she thought was the soundtrack album for a recent birthday, but when I unwrapped it, it was one of the same title (only "OH" not "O") by someone called Jim Ruiz!
I haven't had the chance to play this yet so I don't know whether we'll like it, certainly seems no connection!
Well, never mind, bless her , she tried! (DID get me Clapton's Reptile which was also on my wants list!)
RtS

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Art Thieme
Date: 26 Oct 01 - 11:21 PM

OCTOBER 26, 2001

I just now saw this for the first time---on VHS. (It nevewr did come to our town's theater.)From all I've heard I was sure I'd love it. After watching it twice tonight, all I can say is that this film is a totally disjointed hodgepodge of slapstick and negative hillbilly stereotypes that demeans the music by superimposing it over insane situations like that red-satin-robed grand dragon guy (KKK) supposedly singing "OH DEATH" (?) in front of his troops. Ralph Stanley deserves so much more than this disrespectful use of his fine singing. It was no better than the worst episode of the Beverly Hillbillies TV show with backing by Earl and Lester. What tripe!! And why were the Kossoy Sisters good enough for the film's sountrack but they were NOT INCLUDED on the CD of the supposed soundtrack??

I'm glad I rented it instead of purchasing it.

Art Thiemne

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: DancingMom
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 11:29 PM

My husband who never, ever buys anything for himself saw the movie last week and declared, "I have GOT to have that soundtrack!"

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: bfolkemer
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 01:31 PM

Hi Folks,

Does anyone have the tune and chords for this version of "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow?" All I have is the Peter, Paul and Mary version.

Thank you!

Beth

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Pelrad
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 05:50 PM

Welcome, Frailin Gill!

I have played the soundtrack so often that my 3 yr-old got hooked and now requests it as his breakfast music. He throws his head back and howls, "In constant sorrrrroooooowwww all through this land!" He knows most of the words to most of the songs, although he loses interest by "Oh Death." :-)

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 04:52 PM

Welcome to Mudcat! Hadn't bumped into you till now-- seen the FAQ thread yet?

~S~

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Frailin Gill
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 04:16 PM

Thanks for refreshing this thread as I have only just seen it. I'm not a great cinema goer and discovered this film by accident when the kids rented out the video. I went to heaven and back, being a big fan of old time music in a place where its difficult to get your hands or ears on any. I missed most of the action as I was so busy listening to the music,singing along and spotting the singers and it took me three watches to really see the film. I couldn't get hold of the soundtrack so bought the video instead and now the kids are sick to death of it. Its helping me convert my friends to old-timey, though, much more than me and my banjo ever did.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'LL FLY AWAY^^^
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 03:18 PM

Don't see this posted anywhere else!

~S~

=======================================================

I'LL FLY AWAY

Some glad morning, when this life is o'er
I'll fly away
To a home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away.

CHO:
I'll fly away oh Glory, I'll fly away
When I die, Hallelujah by and by
I'll fly away.

When the shadows of this life are o'er
I'll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars has flown
I'll fly away.

Just a few more weary days and then
I'll fly away
To a place where the joys shall never end
I'll fly away.

---

^^^ (click for lyrics and tune in the Digital Tradition)

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Barbara
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 04:59 PM

We saw it last month and loved it, howled thru all the parts where we weren't singing. I personally don't care what liberties they took with the Odyssey or the American character or the time frame. I'm with Amos, and his remark about showing us in all our wrinkled glory or some such.
More Odyssey stuff: if I remember correctly from my HS studies, Ulysses' problem was that he had too much hubris, that he figured he didn't need no gods to help him make it home.
Looked to me like George Clooney's hubris came in a can and was called "Dapper Dan". Without that stuff the Powers that Be (Sheriff and dogs) wouldn't have been able to track him. And I suppose the blind black poet on the pump car was Homer hisseff, right?
I think the main liberty that got past my willing suspension of disbelief was that a TVA flood in all its muddy glory would look like the inside of a swimming pool from a glass bottom boat. I'd have liked to see a couple tons more dirt and debris, and maybe Scylla and Charybdis caught in the undertow.
The music was wonderful! I'm gonna buy the video when it comes out this week and invite all my friends over that missed this the first time.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Justa Picker
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 03:27 PM

VHS and DVD release is out on June 12th!

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 10:04 PM

Great, thanks to Jim and Guest.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 06:22 PM

For Kat/Katlaughing,

The Kossoy Sisters version of "I'll Fly Away" from the movie is on a CD called "Bowling Green".

I ordered it less than two weeks ago from

http://www.rykodisc.com/rykointernal/rykolabels/Tradition/trcat065.html

and it arrived today. The price was $11.98 plus $3.00 for shipping.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 05:31 PM

Kat: The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) identifies the three gravediggers as Issac Freeman, Wilson Waters Jr., and Robert Hamlett. It also says, "The THREE gravediggers were from the gospel group "The Fairfield FOUR" (which has FIVE members)."

However, the AMG All Music Guide, lists FOUR members of the Fairfield Four, and NONE of them are the same as the ones in "O Brother." Waters and Hamlett are listed separately and they are credited as having "worked with" the Fairfield Four.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 02:21 PM

I just saw Ralph Stanley perform yesterday, and he did "O Death" on stage. It was a noisy, crowded outdoor theater (Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival), but once this song started, you could hear your own heart beating. One young child was so frightened by the passion in Ralph's delivery that his parents had to leave with him, and many people were weeping.

Dan Tyminski was also at the festival with a couple of the "Soggy Bottom Boys" and they did "Man of Constant Sorrow."

It's really great that these wonderful performers are getting some recognition for their talents.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: okthen
Date: 03 Jun 01 - 03:37 AM

It's been released in the UK for a couple of months now,(enjoyed it and so did the kids who saw it twice!)The library also have it on DVD

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From:
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 10:20 PM

I finally got to see it today, too. I got the soundtrack when it was first released and it was interesting to see how the music was used in the movie. I don't care if it strayed from "history" and the Odyssey, I loved it! Yep, I must have it on video. That's one I'll watch a few times.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 09:11 PM

Video's coming out this month. I'll probably buy it...

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 09:03 PM

The Odyssean strain in the movie wasn't carried fully through, though; for example in the original Penelope is fending off bunches of suitors, by weaving all day and ripping out her work all night; and the only ones to recognise Ody (if I remember rightly) are his old dog and the nurse who suckled him.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 08:26 PM

Finally got to see this! Loved it, didn't matter a bit that I sang along, because half the audience was, too!

Who were the three guys who sang after digging their graves just before the flood? WOW! And, the singing of "Death" during the Klan scene was stunning.

Any news on the Kossey sister's version being available, now? Personally, I cannot stand Alison Krause's voice.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 11:05 AM

Earl, I wonder what the famous bankrobber Babyface Nelson's family wants in the way of royalties for the use of his name and persona.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: wdyat12
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 02:19 AM

I've just seen "O Brother, Where Art Thou" for the second time, with a woman who really appreciated the film and the music. I think I am on the right track now.

wdyat12

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: RWilhelm
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 12:06 AM

Great movie, as always with the Coen brothers. My guess is they gave Robert Johnson's story to Tommy Johnson because RJ has an estate that wants to get paid every time his name comes up.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 03:24 PM

Late to the fun but it FINALLY came to my town- right after Crouching Tiger etc. and Chocolat- this is the first time in 20 years I have seen three current movies in one month- and not one a kiddie flik!
I loved the movie, took it as a romp and although there were a few gaps it was great fun. I agree with rich r that Down to the River and Leave Nobody but the Baby were definitely either enhanced for the film or totally different recordings. I have had the soundtrack for a few months and really enjoyed hearing the songs in context.
I remember little about the Odyssey but really had fun picking out the sirens, the Lotus Eaters getting baptized, the Cyclops, and all. I'll check out those web pages above to learn more.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Stewie
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 06:17 PM

Daisy, you'll find them on this page - you'll probably have to scroll down to find them:

I'll Fly Away Lyrics

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: GUEST,Daisy
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 01:16 PM

Does anyone have the lyrics for I'll Fly Away? I love it.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: GUEST,She Who Sells Seashells By the Seashore
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 06:31 PM

Referring to the Kossoy Sisters CD, Dick Greenhaus said, "Sorry, but Rykodisk won't sell you a copy."

I don't know why not. They sold me one about three weeks ago.

There are some nice things on the CD, but the version of "I'll Fly Away" by Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss on the soundtrack CD is much better. I wonder why they didn't use it in the movie.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Stewie
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 06:00 PM

The following interview may be of interest:

T Bone Burnett

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 01:01 PM

I can see why they might want something re-recorded in stereo to put on the soundtrack of a film ("seeing why" doesn't mean I think it makes any sense, but I can see why they might think it does) - but putting one version on it for the sound track cinema, and another for the CDE of the sound track - no way anyone can see that as making sense.

I suppose when the VHS video comes out there'll be a third version. And for the DVD a fourth one.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: raredance
Date: 29 Mar 01 - 12:10 AM

I have two copies of the LP, one on Tradition, the dust jacket is labeled "Stereo" on both the front and the back. Good trick for a recording they say was made in 1956. Through speakers I don't really notice any stereo. I haven't listened to it through headphones to see if they tried to split out the banjo or otherwise divide the tracks. The other copy of the LP is part of a Murray Hill 5 record set. I haven't carefully compared the two to see if there are any differences. The Murray Hill box has that little "some portions have been electronically re-recorded to simulate stereo" disclaimer on it.

rich r

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Mar 01 - 10:40 PM

I suspect that the reason the Kossoys were replaced by Krause and Welch in the "sound track" CD is that the original record was monaural (remember those?)

Sorry, but Rykodisk won't sell you a copy.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: raredance
Date: 28 Mar 01 - 10:19 PM

I looked at a few web sites and have not found any explanation why Ellen & Irene's version of "I'll fly Away" in the movie was replaced on the CD. In fact I didn't find any admission that the two versions were different. Anybody else have anything other than a guess.

On a related matter, I've seen the movie twice and have the CD and I am under the distinct impression that the version of "Didn't Leave Nobody But the Baby" in the movie has an overall higher sound to it than the one on the CD. My wife agreed and she doesn't usually pay that close attention to music (she also noticed obvious differences in "Down to the River To Pray" in movie vs CD, Alison Krause's voice is much less dominant in the movie). Did anyone else notice this? I am not sure if the whole pitch was higher in the movie or if the bottom harmony part was more prominent on the CD.

rich r

Subject: Kossoy Sisters CD
From: GUEST,She Who Sells Seashells By the Seashore
Date: 28 Mar 01 - 06:50 PM

You can order "Bowling Green" by the Kossoy Sisters & Eric Darking at this link:

http://www.rykodisc.com/rykointernal/rykolabels/tradition/trcat065.html

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: arose
Date: 28 Mar 01 - 06:30 PM

Loved the movie. As many of you know, "I'll Fly Away", by the Kossoy Sisters, isn't on the soundtrack. I've been doing a mad search on the net trying to find a copy (Bowling Green is the album it is on). No luck. If anyone knows where I can find a copy, your help would be more than greatly appreciated. In fact, if anyone out there has a copy and would be willing to make a tape of it, I would gladly purchase it from you. Thanks! Andy Rose

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: GUEST,SeanM, travelling still
Date: 12 Mar 01 - 09:19 PM

For the most part, they do use the versions as used in the movie...

Of course, what's common now (and what I keep hoping to see for this particular film) is for there to be a "soundtrack" and also a "Music from and inspired by" disc... Basically, the remaining tunes from the movie that didn't make the first disc, as well as songs that may have not made the soundtrack but were recorded for it, or just things that musicians thought would fit.

Sometimes, they're good. I think this might have a good shot at being one of those times.

M

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 12 Mar 01 - 08:11 PM

When I was young and innocent, I thought that a soundtrack record was taken from a movie's soundtrack----you know, same performers, same performances. Then I learned.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: GUEST,SeanM, travelling still
Date: 12 Mar 01 - 06:20 PM

Hey... here's something. Anyone hear anything about "Down from the Mountain"?

According to the OBWAT soundtrack liner notes, they filmed what sounds to be an absolutely ASTOUNDING concert with most of the living contributors to the soundtrack (The Whites, Fairfield Four, Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, etc.) doing their soundtrack numbers and more. The liners said (I think) that it was something like a three hour show, and that they were recording it for release.

Anyone know anything about that? Was it meant for theatrical release, video, or what?

It took place in Nashville, I guess about a year ago...

M

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: GUEST,resophil Guest
Date: 12 Mar 01 - 01:41 PM

In the movie, Governor Pappy O'Daniel is introduced on the steps of the radio station as Menolaeus T. (Pappy) O'Daniel, an obvious reference to the King of the same name. Circe turned half of Ulysses' men into animals, only in the movie it was supposedly the Sirens who did. (Pete into a frog) There's lots more imagery in the movie. If you haven't read the whole thing, try this: http://members.tripod.com/~Poseidon64/Odyssey.html An excellent synopsis.

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Jenny the T
Date: 12 Mar 01 - 12:28 PM

Aw, come on, GUEST:orua, there was plenty more in the way of Odyssey parallels than one Cyclops! Just for starters, we have a trio of Sirens; a wife Penny (Penelope), who is being courted by--as we are told insistently--a "suitor," and a main character relentlessly pursued by a vengeful god (or bounty hunter).

I'm not sure where the "men into beasts" bit paralleling Circe and her pigs is--it could be the chain gang, or it could be the KKK scene. I'm probably missing others as well, and the Coens' penchant for taking liberties galore with every topic doesn't help there.

I'm curious about other elements that appear obviously symbolic. What do ye think is represented by the bounty hunter's glasses? Who do the politicians represent--or do they? And what is up with Robert (in the movie, Thomas) Johnson's famous selling of his soul?

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: GUEST,orua
Date: 12 Mar 01 - 11:53 AM

Oh Brother - a wonderful piece of film making Ranks alongside Nashville in my view I hope no one was fooled by the claims to be based on the Odyssey... I reckon that was just to get publicity... One cyclops does not an Odyssey make !

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 09:24 PM

When is the DVD due out?

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 02:28 AM

On Friday, in either the St.Paul Pioneer Press or the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the OBWAT soundtrack was something like the third best-selling album in the Mpls-StPaul area. At least I think that's what it said... I threw the papers out already. :)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: Amos
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 01:16 AM

Just saw it again. I know what you mean about the gaps, but I loved it anyway -- partly because in its whacky way it captures so well a certain screwball piece of the American mind in all its wrinkled glory.

A

Subject: RE: O Brother, Where Art Thou
From: GUEST,SeanM, travelling
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 12:54 AM

Hi!

Sad to say, I was just a little disappointed in the film... Not to say I didn't enjoy it greatly, but there was... well... so much more that didn't get done.

Honestly, after it was over, I rather felt like I'd been watching a really well done music video rather than a movie. The film just didn't gel together for me... almost as if they'd started with great music, created great scenes for the music, and lifted amusing elements from The Odyssey, but then neglected to spend as much time filling in around the parts.

*sigh*. Still loved the music, and "Down to the River" was damned near a religious experience in the theater. And don't get me started on the Sirens... mmmmmmmm... Sireeeeens... but for all that, the movie still felt a little hollow to me.

Not that it's stopped me from recommending it to my friends.

Also not like I didn't run out and buy the soundtrack.

Oh well.

M