Amazon.com Novelist Cormac McCarthy's literary vision of the wild west is given wide-screen treatment by maverick director Billy Bob Thornton and a cast that includes Matt Damon, Penelope Cruz, and Bruce Dern. Professional country music journeyman Marty Stuart has performed with father-in-law Johnny Cash, Earl Scruggs, and Doc Watson, in addition to a successful solo career. In his soundtrack scoring debut, he provides short, meditative instrumental pieces that are subtly explosive--rife as they are with strains of old-school country and bluegrass. Cinematic strings and orchestral percussion add a welcome menacing edge, augmenting the rustic approach without crossing over into a compromised "countrypolitan" sound. If anything, it might be nice to hear these themes extended. As it stands, the 23 listed tracks are covered in a little under 50 minutes, with many of the cuts barely lasting more than a minute or two. They stand as a new genre of cinematic country minimalism. --Rob O'Connor
All The Pretty HorsesweNovember 18, 2009 Catherine Harris we saw the movie and the music they put with it was beutiful. We ordered the C.D the next day. Most of the music is instrumental. Marty Stawert sing a song called Far Away. Any one who has every been far away from will understand what he is saying
All the Pretty HorsesOctober 18, 2009 Patricia Adamo I love this soundtrack. The music is filled with both adventure and soft embracing sounds of the time. Cowboys, nature and love. I'm sure you will enjoy this soundtrack. Get ready for a step-back to another era.
Album of Music ClipsOctober 5, 2009 D. Fout(Burkittsville, MD) The music is haunting and beautiful, but unfortunately each selection is simply a short one minute (or less) clip of what you would hope to be a far longer piece of music. Just as you are settling into a Southwestern mood, the selection just stops. This CD could be so much more if each selection played for a few minutes to set a mood, instead it just stops suddenly and goes on to the next selection. I recommend buying it, but you too will be disappointed in the brevity of each beautiful piece of music.
CalmJanuary 10, 2009 Calista L. Brown(Culver City, CA) The movie was O.K. The music is terrific! It calms and soothes me. Who would have thought a Western type movie could produce such pretty sounds.
Great western soundtrackFebruary 28, 2004 David E. Green(Phoenix, AZ United States) 9 out of 9 found this review helpful
This is a must buy for fans of western soundtracks.It mixes beautifully symphonic music with Guitar music and spices it up all together with a south of the border flavor. Haunting music that will make you want to never take it out of your cd changer. It also Features two vocal pieces, the first a spanish song sung by the very talented Raul Malo of the country group the mavericks, the second song is a beautiful ballad sung by Marty Stuart. Though I never owned any cd's of Marty Stuart he earns my respect with composing this film score.(cowboy hats off to you Mr.Stuart)
