2008 Woodie Awards
Soundtracks: Recommendations from directors
Ashley Johnson
Issue date: 9/25/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
My favorite movie of all time, at least since it released, and this may sound bad considering I'm a Media Studies major, is Elizabethtown. Elizabethtown is written and directed by Cameron Crowe, and just as Crowe can't function properly without his headphones, neither can I. I'm sure Elizabethtown is my all-time favorite obviously because of the soundtrack. Buying a soundtrack to a film is like getting music recommendations straight from the director, especially if the director uses music to emotionally power his scenes. So this time, I will be recommending songs from some of my favorite films that have great musical undertones.
As I said before, Elizabethtown's soundtrack is a work of art. The movie was so jam-packed with tunes that two separate records were released. If you are familiar with the film, Drew takes a road trip with a large map and a series of mix-tapes given to him by his one-time lover, Claire. Well into Drew's trip he goes through an emotional release and "My Father's Gun" by Elton John sneaks out of the speakers. I've never been a true Elton John music fan, but this song makes me think I've been missing out.
Another song that you should most definitely grab from this soundtrack would have to be "It'll All Work Out" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Petty is getting older but he still maintains his ability to make music that simply warms you. Also, download a song with a hint of country called "Come Pick Me Up" by Ryan Adams. His music is very airy. Not to say that he uses wind instruments, but there's a lot of space in his songs, as in this one in particular. It is almost as if Adams is giving you room to breathe between his thoughts.
The next soundtrack on the list is from the movie Prime. To quickly refresh your memory, the setting of the film is rural New York. The patient of a possessive, strictly religious psychiatrist is dating the son of said therapist, and neither the son nor patient know. Along with a frantic story line comes a refreshing assortment of songs with some of my favorite artists. The first is Ray LaMontangne. Very few have heard of LaMontangne, but I'll tell you, download "Shelter", and I'm sure you'll be asking yourself why you haven't heard of him before. He's got a dark quality to his music and an even darker neo-soul quality to his music-just as Amy Winehouse and James Morrison are doing now, though Morrison is not as dark. I am a firm advocate of anything instrumental because it does away with all the "singing along" work. This movie and song have gotten that right.
With all that said, download "Sentimental Mood" by none other than the geniuses of Duke Ellington and John Coltrane. You need nothing else in the world except this song and a nap after a long day. Also try and find Rachel Yamagata's version of "I Wish You Love." One last song from this movie, coming from another one of my favorites, would be Rufus Wainwright's "Peach Trees". If Wainwright isn't exploring new musical sounds, he's certainly mastering poetical, almost physically tangible, lyrics.
Our last film on the list is from Scrubs star, and movie director, Zach Braff. The soundtrack that has broken the hearts of many would very well be the music set to the movie Garden State. The highly-acclaimed assembly of sounds has also grabbed my attention, and, even though I've seen the film and still have no idea what it was about, I want to share with you some of the best songs.
First is "I Just Don't Ever Think I'll Get Over You" by Colin Hay. The song is simply one man's account of a lover he can't part with mentally. It's a heart-catching song. Another would be "One of These Things First" by Nick Drake. The song does not go far length-wise, but I'm sure if it was something you could physically experience it would run right past you. This song could work wonders on a road trip.
The last song to download would have to be "Such Great Height's" by Iron and Wine. The only way to describe how this song would be to tell you that you've heard it on that psychedelic, '70s-like M&M commercial. The rest is up to your vivid imagination. It's a great song so I hope you like it. Better yet, I hope you like them all.
To hear some of the songs listed, and get other recommendations as well as other interesting music finds, you can visit Ashley's blog at www.xanga.com/anjohn234. Remember to always download safely, and most importantly, legally.
As I said before, Elizabethtown's soundtrack is a work of art. The movie was so jam-packed with tunes that two separate records were released. If you are familiar with the film, Drew takes a road trip with a large map and a series of mix-tapes given to him by his one-time lover, Claire. Well into Drew's trip he goes through an emotional release and "My Father's Gun" by Elton John sneaks out of the speakers. I've never been a true Elton John music fan, but this song makes me think I've been missing out.
Another song that you should most definitely grab from this soundtrack would have to be "It'll All Work Out" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Petty is getting older but he still maintains his ability to make music that simply warms you. Also, download a song with a hint of country called "Come Pick Me Up" by Ryan Adams. His music is very airy. Not to say that he uses wind instruments, but there's a lot of space in his songs, as in this one in particular. It is almost as if Adams is giving you room to breathe between his thoughts.
The next soundtrack on the list is from the movie Prime. To quickly refresh your memory, the setting of the film is rural New York. The patient of a possessive, strictly religious psychiatrist is dating the son of said therapist, and neither the son nor patient know. Along with a frantic story line comes a refreshing assortment of songs with some of my favorite artists. The first is Ray LaMontangne. Very few have heard of LaMontangne, but I'll tell you, download "Shelter", and I'm sure you'll be asking yourself why you haven't heard of him before. He's got a dark quality to his music and an even darker neo-soul quality to his music-just as Amy Winehouse and James Morrison are doing now, though Morrison is not as dark. I am a firm advocate of anything instrumental because it does away with all the "singing along" work. This movie and song have gotten that right.
With all that said, download "Sentimental Mood" by none other than the geniuses of Duke Ellington and John Coltrane. You need nothing else in the world except this song and a nap after a long day. Also try and find Rachel Yamagata's version of "I Wish You Love." One last song from this movie, coming from another one of my favorites, would be Rufus Wainwright's "Peach Trees". If Wainwright isn't exploring new musical sounds, he's certainly mastering poetical, almost physically tangible, lyrics.
Our last film on the list is from Scrubs star, and movie director, Zach Braff. The soundtrack that has broken the hearts of many would very well be the music set to the movie Garden State. The highly-acclaimed assembly of sounds has also grabbed my attention, and, even though I've seen the film and still have no idea what it was about, I want to share with you some of the best songs.
First is "I Just Don't Ever Think I'll Get Over You" by Colin Hay. The song is simply one man's account of a lover he can't part with mentally. It's a heart-catching song. Another would be "One of These Things First" by Nick Drake. The song does not go far length-wise, but I'm sure if it was something you could physically experience it would run right past you. This song could work wonders on a road trip.
The last song to download would have to be "Such Great Height's" by Iron and Wine. The only way to describe how this song would be to tell you that you've heard it on that psychedelic, '70s-like M&M commercial. The rest is up to your vivid imagination. It's a great song so I hope you like it. Better yet, I hope you like them all.
To hear some of the songs listed, and get other recommendations as well as other interesting music finds, you can visit Ashley's blog at www.xanga.com/anjohn234. Remember to always download safely, and most importantly, legally.
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