The film in question is Crazy Heart starring Jeff Bridges as an ageing country singer driving around Texas and New Mexico for small gigs at pubs and bowling alleys. It sounds like something we've seen before, but this one does have something special in the 'down to earthness' of the story, marvellous soundtrack and very believable actors. Besides, we get to see and hear the Dude sing!
Some might get turned off by hearing that it's about country music (maybe this was why it wasn't shown in the Swedish cinemas - at least not the bigger ones). In fact, the difference between good country music and just singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan is that the former category has a cowboy hat on when they sing.
And country singers are often better at finding phrases that sticks to your mind. Who could resist a line like: 'funny how falling feels like flying - for a little while'.
Here's the trailer:
And here's the theme song of the film, The Weary Kind, written especially for it by Ryan Bingham - who might turn out to become a new star of the magnitude of a Cash or Kristofferson. Time will tell, of course...
2 comments:
Have to say that country music isn't really my 'cup-of-tea', but if its wrapped around a good story, then maybe :)
Regarding the difference between singer-songwriters & country...the first time I actually heard & liked Bob Dylan was in the mid 70's with his album 'Desire'. He used to wear a sort of stetson then !
Does Townes van Zandt qualify as country ?
Well, except for the hats I have no idea what the proper criteria is, though Townes seems to be considered 'country' - maybe because he was from Texas... Funny you asked, since it was actually thanks to a van Zandt song I found the film in question, i.e. 'If I needed You' is on the soundtrack.
Dylan has made some country albums 'Nashville Skyline' for example, but still avoided the label - so maybe it has something to do with how many records you sell..? (Funny coincidence number two, 'Desire' was my first Dylan album too!)
Anyway, I listen to almost every kind of music as long as I like or get something from the melodies and lyrics...
Btw, if you're a TvZ fan - I recently found this concert of his on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6O9eRvNs5k
And btw2, here's another favourite song from Ryan Bingham that is also played in the film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2vK9-Ov5hk - which might just as well be called rock or blues - so don't let the cover deter you from the content!
/Thomas
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