If I had a vote, I would have voted for True Grit for BEST SOUNDTRACK for the Oscars. Carter Burwell’s score for Joel & Ethan Coen’s version of Charles Portis’ novel True Grit wasn’t considered by the Academy because it was deemed to hav too little original music. Burwell used classic Protestant hymns as his inspirations: “Hold to God†s Unchanging Hand” by Franklin L. Eiland, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Charles Converse, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” by Elisha A. Hoffman & Anthony J. Showalter, “Talk About Suffering”, and “The Glory-Land Way” by J.S. Torbett. Of the 14 musical collaborations between the Coens and Burwell, this is my favorite. I found the music on this soundtrack to be moving and grand. GRADE: A
It was the best soundtrack I heard last year.
You’re right, Dan. TRUE GRIT is the best soundtrack I heard in 2010, too.
I loved the soundtrack to THE APOSTLE so I may try this one.
I think you and Phil will enjoy this soundtrack to TRUE GRIT, Patti. Oddly enough, Burrell also did the soundtrack to THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT. The Academy wouldn’t consider that soundtrack either because it was mostly a compilation of pop songs.
I did notice it while we were watching the movie. Good choice.
The music is very distinctive, Jeff. Well worth listening to again and again.
And no song by Glen Campbell as a tribute to the original?
Hah! The Coen Brothers totally ignored the original TRUE GRIT soundtrack, Scott. They didn’t think much of it.
Too little original music is why I didn’t bother with it either, as much as I am a fan of soundtracks. Inception was the one I would have picked.
INCEPTION would have been #2 in my voting, Rick. There’s something about these traditional hymns that really fit with the ethos of TRUE GRIT.