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Various - Heartworn Highways
- Heartworn Highways, a landmark documentary about the traditional country roots, blues, rock, and folk infused musical genre known widely today as Americana. The accompanying soundtrack by the same name weaves together the voices, and tales of Townes Van Zandt, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, John Hiatt, and other once unknown, yet gifted singers and songwriters. This collection of musical narratives speaks to the 1970’s, a time when Americana artists struggled to be heard, often traveling to L.A. and New York in search of new territory. However, as director John Szalapki once remarked, they “discovered it wasn’t where they belonged. Their roots were in the South, and they had an emotional connection to their grandparents’ generation there.”
Featuring the first recordings of this genre’s greatest musicians, Heartworn Highways captures an important moment in the evolution of country music. “L.A. Freeway” by Guy Clark set the tone for the rest of the album. Clark’s haunting voice bids “Adios to all this concrete/Gonna get me some dirt road street” and relays the disillusionment of travel and a longing for the musical and cultural roots of the South. Clark’s “Texas Cookin’” with its quiet tone and contagious rhythm is a saliva-inducing tribute to delicious Southern food and arguably one of the soundtrack’s best songs. Another gem, Larry Jon Wilson’s “Ohoopee River Bottomland” jams all the way through with soulful harmonica and guitar solos. And the late great Townes Van Zandt’s “Pancho and Lefty” is a moving rendition of the country hit.
In a word: groundbreaking. Heartworn Highways is a historically significant body of work, with or without the visual imagery.
Reviewer: C. Lizaire
new
Reviewer's Rating: 9
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
Added: 28-Mar-2006
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