September 10, 2005
Mississippi Odyssey?
The Coen brothers' film O Brother Where Art Thou, introduced old time country music to an American population that had lost contact with their musical heritage.
The film's form is a loosely adapted Odyssey in the Depression-era American South.
The escaped convicts run into a variety of characters, from a one-eyed Bible salesman, a corrupt Mississippi governor running for re-election, a blind radio station owner (Steven Root) who records the three convicts singing "Man of Constant Sorrow"; meet the manic/depressive Baby Face Nelson, run into three larcenous sirens and an wife, who is preparing to marry a man she considers "bona fide".
This is a road movie whose storytelling wrapped with eccentric humor.
The episodic travels are used to explore both the music and mythology of the South---bluegrass Mississippi. Bluegrass music, Babyface Nelson and Homer. Interesting huh?
The film is steeped in music---beautiful renditions of country, gospel, folk, and blues under the charge of T Bone Burnett, with some tunes in original versions, others newly recorded. O Brother, Where Art Thou? is like the music video for the Harry Smith-edited Anthology of American Folk Music.
The film is practically a musical, with a fine selection of songs from "the old weird America," as critic Greil Marcus has put it.
Posted by Gary Sauer-Thompson at September 10, 2005 11:42 PM | TrackBackThe scene in the radio station, where the trio record "Man of Constant Sorrow" with the help of Tommy Johnson of "Crossroads" fame is a beautiful tribute to the roots of rock. This film indeed woke America up to some great "Ol' Timey" music, with the soundtrack selling almost as well as the film. Pure old gospel of the South was introduced to Americans who had been digesting the angry rhymes of hip-hop.
I think I need to dig out my copy of the CD now - thanks, Gary.
Posted by: Dave on September 18, 2005 12:02 AM