Harlan County Usa: Coal Miner's Struggle

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Country Music CD » Harlan County Usa: Coal Miner's Struggle
Harlan County Usa: Coal Miners Struggle
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  1. Audio CD: Release Date 2006-05-23
  2. Publisher: Rounder / Umgd
  3. Artist: Various Artists
  4. Sales Rank in Music: #140890

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The release of this compilation suggests that the coal miner's plight hasn't improved appreciably since the 1976 release of Barbara Kopple's 1976 documentary, Harlan County, USA. Few industries have inspired such impassioned folk music, as most of these 22 cuts depend more on the power and conviction of the musical testament than any polish in the performance. Almost a third of the selections feature activist Hazel Dickens, whose contributions to the soundtrack established her as the musical conscience of Kopple's film. Among the other highlights, the pinched harmonies of the Old Time String Band featuring Tracy Schwarz convey the faith of trapped miners in the heaven that awaits, while "Dark as a Dungeon" by Merle Travis remains one of the classics of the coal-mining songbook. A number of unvarnished, a cappella performances capture the essence of work that breaks your back, blackens your lungs, and ultimately takes your life. Many of the others are story songs of union heroes, management villains, mines closed, and lives lost. None of it is easy listening, for this is not an easy way to make a living. --Don McLeese
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Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A generous collection of chilling lyrical tales, November 23, 2006
J. Ross "a-music_fan" (Roseburg, OR USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Harlan County Usa: Coal Miner's Struggle (Audio CD)
Playing Time - 70:50

Who They Are: The songs (largely self-penned) are sung or played by Hazel Dickens, Old Home String Band featuring Tracy Schwarz, Sarah Ogan Gunning, Jim Garland (Sarah's brother), Johnson Mountain Boys, Country Cooking, Norman Blake, Merle Travis, Phyllis Boyens, Nimrod Workman (Phyllis Boyens' father), Doc Watson, Connie and Babe, J.P. Fraley, and Florence Reese

What They Do: This CD has songs featured in Barbara Kopple's Academy Award-winning film "Harlan County USA" along with additional material from Doc Watson, Norman Blake, and the Johnson Mountain Boys

The Songs: All but two of the songs (Hard Working Miner, The Death of Harry Simms) have been previously issued on Rounder (or Flying Fish) album releases. This is a nice thematic compilation with a strong traditional flavoring and edge. Si Kahn's "Lawrence Jones" was a splendid cover choice sung by Phyllis Boyens, accompanied by Pat Enright (guitar), Blaine Sprouse (fiddle),...Read more


4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Songs of the Coal Miner's Struggle, August 7, 2007
A W (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Harlan County Usa: Coal Miner's Struggle (Audio CD)
Voices whine as if constricted by coal dust. There's nothing cheerful here, though "Dark as a Dungeon" has a sweet tune and appealing lyrics, but the words and singers are authentic and true. This grim history produced bonafide music. The stories sung in this collection are intriguing; recommending the documentary.


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Musical History of the Struggle of the Coal Miner, August 23, 2007
John F. Ziolkowski (BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Harlan County Usa: Coal Miner's Struggle (Audio CD)
The songs on this CD is a history of the struggle of the common man in the coal mines. While the songs might seem dated they are none the less a musical tour of the struggle. It is a great CD to play when driving.

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