Oh Brother Can You Spare a Dime

 (2 customer reviews)

First off, this is not the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou? although it has different versions of songs which are also in the movie - "In The Jailhouse Now" and "Angel Band". Marketing hooks notwithstanding, this is a really strong album which will appeal to people who like roots music.

The performances are strong, especially bluegrass legend Peter Rowan's tracks - this guy was born to sing Woody Guthrie and "I Ain't Got No Home" is a real standout. His version of the Carter Family's "No Depression in Heaven" is also excellent. Former Hot Rize singer Tim O'Brien delivers two tracks which he sings with ease and soul.

Other artist standouts include Merle Travis' "Cocaine Blues" and Mac Wiseman who lends his sweet voice to "Jimmy Brown the Newsboy" and "May I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister".

This collection is perfect for those folks who first experienced the magic of bluegrass and American folk traditions through the O Brother movie and want to...Read more

classic depression-era songs, played and sung by some of the best performance artists in the world. these songs are "cries from the heart," expressing the sorrow, anguish, and disappointment of every-day Americans during the depression. they never fail to move me, along with the artistry of the players.