With award season coming to a close and the biggest show of all looming (the Oscars), why not review a soundtrack. If you can take away one thing from a film like “Crazy Heart”, it is that Jeff Bridges gives a performance for the ages and is worthy of all the accolades he has received thus far. Something else that can be taken away is that the music in the film is shines a light on old country, primarily outlaw country. Now I’m not a big fan of country music at all, but old outlaw country is something I have always had a fondness for. Viewing the film was a privilege, but listening to the soundtrack was a whole other experience.
With original songs written by famed songwriter, musician, producer, and all around musical genius T-Bone Burnett and rising star Ryan Bingham with the inclusion of some country legends, the “Crazy Heart” soundtrack really paints the picture of one man’s struggle to get a handle on his life. Jeff Bridges doesn’t only act in the movie, he also sings most of the songs on the soundtrack. Colin Farrell also performs in the movie and on the soundtrack. This actually makes the soundtrack what it is, and that’s it is why it is so brilliant.
The song that is receiving the most attention, and is nominated for an Oscar, is called “The Weary Kind”. This attention could not be more deserved. If this song doesn’t make you weep, check your pulse because you might be dead or you just have no human emotions. I’m getting choked up just thinking about it. Written by Burnett and Bingham, who also sings the song and acts in the film, “The Weary Kind” is one of the most emotional and sincere songs I have ever heard. Every lyric pulls at the heartstrings and never lets go. Masterful songwriting that won’t be soon forgotten. The rest of the album is more upbeat with a few exceptions. “Brand New Angel” is a tender ballad sung by Jeff Bridges, which can only be described as haunting. His vocals throughout the album really catch you off guard in all the right ways.
As I mentioned earlier, the album is generally upbeat. This is ironic considering how sad the movie is. Songs like “Hold On You”, “Fallin’ & Flyin’”, “Somebody Else”, and “I Don’t Know” are ridiculously catchy. This all can be attributed to the songwriting which I can’t say enough good words about it. The inclusion of some country legends the likes of Buck Owens, Townes Van Zandt, and my personal favorite Waylon Jennings, round out the soundtrack nicely. A large portion of the soundtrack has the feel of an old Waylon Jennings album, so it was only appropriate to include the Bad Ass himself.
So while this is a wonderful music website, I beg you to see this emotionally gripping film and purchase the equally gripping soundtrack. Also tune into the Oscars to see if “The Weary Kind” wins, which it should. There is no question that this soundtrack delivers the goods. Make no mistake about it, this is what real country music sounds like.
Grade: 9/10
Track Listing:
1. Hold On You-Performed by Jeff Bridges
2. Hello Trouble-Performed by Buck Owens
3. My Baby’s Gone-Performed by The Louvin Brothers
4. Somebody Else-Performed by Jeff Bridges
5. I Don’t Know-Performed by Ryan Bingham
6. Fallin’ & Flyin’-Performed by Jeff Bridges
7. I Don’t Know-Performed by Jeff Bridges
8. Once A Gambler-Performed by Lightnin’ Hopkins
9. Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way-Performed by Waylon Jennings
10. Fallin’ & Flyin’-Performed by Colin Farrell & Jeff Bridges
11. Gone, Gone, Gone-Performed by Colin Farrell
12. If I Needed You-Performed by Townes Van Zandt
13. Reflecting Light-Performed by Sam Phillips
14. Live Forever-Performed by Robert Duvall
15. Brand New Angel-Performed by Jeff Bridges
16. The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)-Performed by Ryan Bingham