| We Were Soldiers - Various Artists | |
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Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
There are times when I get a CD and listen to it that I instantly dislike most or all of it. The soundtrack to the new Mel Gibson film, We Were Soldiers, is not one of those CDs. I like every track on the CD. I am a person who loves a good mix CD to drive along to. Many times radio plays the same songs over and over so when commuting to wherever I am going, I try to have CDs at hand that will keep me entertained until I reach my destination.
This compilation has a wonderful mixture of Country, Rock and Pop artists that recorded songs that are either in We Were Soldiers or are inspired by it. Even most of the Rock/pop songs have country influences. These artists include Train, Five For Fighting, and Steven Curtis Chapman. The Country artists represented on the CD are Johnny Cash, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tammy Cochran, Jamie O'Neal, Montgomery Gentry, and Rascal Flatts. That means that exactly half of the CD's fourteen tracks are performed by country artists.
Carolyn Dawn Johnson's "Some Mother's Son," which surprisingly wasn't written by her, is a beautiful song about a man who dies from wounds away at battle. It describes the loved ones that are left behind, "a young girl's lover, a baby's father, some mother's son." I'd like to see this song get released to radio, however unlikely since there is a lot of life left in her Room With A View CD.
Does Mary Chapin Carpenter keep getting better? I just love her version of Patty Griffin's "My Dear Old Friend." Slow and somber, I can picture this song being played over some sad scenes in a movie, such as a funeral. While it is a somber song, this track is beautifully performed with a wonderful orchestral background.
Tammy Cochran's "I Believe" is a departure for her. While it is probably the most "Country" sounding song on the CD, especially her vocals, it also features a prominent drum loop. That stuff aside, the lyrics are great and inspirational. This song will probably be her single after her current one, "I Cry."
On "Not So Distant Day" we get to hear Jamie O'Neal duet with the soulful ex-Doobie Brother, Michael McDonald. Don't let the pairing fool you, this song still has a distinct country sound to it, albeit a Country-Gospel sound. Jamie and Michael sound wonderful together.
Montgomery Gentry's "Didn't I" is the perfect song for veterans everywhere. It is the first single from this CD and is a great song. The song is about a guy who wonders why people treat the Vietnam veterans the way they do. Here's a sample of the lyrics: "Didn't I burn, Didn't I Bleed enough for you, I faced your fears, felt pain so you wont have to, yeah, didn't I do my best, wasn't home here when I left, didn't I."
Ever wonder what Rascal Flatts would sound like if you gave them an outlet to showcase their R&B/Gospel abilities? You'd come to "The Glory Of Life." I really like this song, but then again it also gets me feeling really good and be thankful for my life. This track is not a Country song but would probably be a huge hit on the Christian music charts.
The one song on this soundtrack that seemed out of place was the Johnny Cash & Dave Matthews, (Dave Matthews Band), duet. It's not that "For You" isn't a good track; I just feel Johnny and Dave have two voices that don't really fit together. However I am still glad to see a legend like Johnny Cash recording songs.
If you are looking for a great mixture of songs that will truly inspire you while also maybe putting a little tear in your eye, We Were Soldiers is a CD you should not miss.
Song List:
Album cover, used with permission of Sony Nashville.
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