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The War: A Ken Burns Film
Availability:
In Stock
Price:
$49.98
$21.54*
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| Part No: | B000TGUUHS |
| Manufacturer: | Sony Music Distribution |
| MFG Part: | 714540 |
| Customer Rating: | 4.5 / 5.0 |
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The soundtrack for
The War, documentarian Ken Burns's 2007 PBS series on World War II, alternates between earlier, wartime, and postwar material, all designed to complement the narrative. The material was clearly selected to evoke the mood of the era: Benny Goodman's sextet tears off a hot 1942 "Wang Wang Blues," and Count Basie lets fly with "Basie Boogie" (1941) and the prewar "How Long Blues." Also evoking the war years are Bing Crosby's hit "It's Been a Long, Long Time" with the Les Paul Trio, "Solitude" (1934) by Duke Ellington's Orchestra, and Kay Starr's "If I Could Be with You (One Hour Tonight)" and the Nat "King" Cole Trio's "If You Can't Smile and Say Yes" from a wartime V-Disc. Classical numbers include Leonard Slatkin and the London Philharmonic's 1989 version of "London: The Death of Falstaff" and an excerpt of Benny Goodman, in his spare time a respected classical clarinetist, performing "Concerto for Clarinet, Strings, Harp, and Piano" with Aaron Copland and the Columbia Symphony Orchestra in 1950. Newer recordings include Norah Jones's "American Anthem," reprised at the end by Amanda Forsyth and Bill Charlap, "Movin' Back," "Until You're in My Arms Again," and "America My Home" by Wynton Marsalis.
--Rich Kienzle
THE WAR, a seven-part series directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, tells the story of the Second World War through the personal accounts of a handful of men and women from four quintessentially American towns. The series explores the most intimate human dimensions of the greatest cataclysm in history a worldwide catastrophe that touched the lives of every family on every street in every town in America and demonstrates that in extraordinary times, there are no ordinary lives.
This box set companion to the film includes the stunning soundtrack, as well as three additional compilations of his and war-era favorites featuring recordings from Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Also included are new tracks from Wynton Marsalis and Norah Jones.
| A Touching, Haunting Score | 2008-07-18 | 5 / 5 |
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This soundtrack for Ken Burn's "The War" documentary can be evaluated on two different criteria:
First, there is the period music (mostly jazz). I did not buy the soundtrack for this reason, but for those older than I it will likely bring back many great memories of times gone by.
Secondly, however, there are the haunting melodies that are the undercurrent of the entire film. Whether it be the soothing voice of Norah Jones, the aching violin, or the soft, solo piano, this soundtrack perfectly blends the music to fit the tone of the material. Each time I listen to these tracks, it makes me remember watching the film, along with all the sadness and joy that came with that experience.
If you enjoyed "The War", you will more than likely also enjoy this collection of songs. |
| Ken Burns: The War | 2007-11-26 | 4 / 5 |
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| Two of the four volumes were excellent -- Hits From The Second World War, Dance Hits From The Second World War. The other were not, at least according to my tastes. |
| Very nice compilation of music | 2007-11-15 | 4 / 5 |
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| Though laborious at times, most of the music in this 4 cd set is exceptional. |
| just great | 2007-11-02 | 5 / 5 |
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I purchased the cd collection of the music from "The War" this month as it was the perfect companion to the film. I really think the music enhanced the experience and it fit well. The big band music of the era evoked memories of my mothers childhood and the stories that she shared with my sisters and me about the war. Nora Jones haunting american anthem is a classic and contrast to the somber funeral of falstaff. I feel that the entire project is the best american documentary I have seen.
J.W. Larrick |
| What about the Elgar? | 2007-10-01 | 5 / 5 |
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| All of the music is top notch. However, no one is mentioning the lovely, plaintive piano rendition of the Elgar variation. In the film, this is often the backdrop to the times when the dead are remembered. This piece alone made the experience of watching and listening meaningful. |
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