America's Heart and Soul

• Artist: Original Soundtrack
• Release Date: June 29, 2004
• Type: Soundtrack
• Genre: Soundtrack

Review

The soundtrack to America's Heart & Soul, an uplifting look at everyday Americans, features similarly feel-good music that ranges from John Hiatt's easygoing "Child of the Wild Blue Yonder" to David Krakauer & Klezmer Madness' "Chusen Kale Mazel Tov." Refreshingly, the album doesn't rely on patriotic anthems to convey its optimism; instead, the rousing power of gospel songs like Mosie Burks and the Mississippi Mass Choir's "This Morning When I Rose" and the homey appeal of "Dreams Come True" by George Woodard and members of the Ground Hog Opry get across the movie's viewpoint far better than another rendition of "America the Beautiful" could. America's Heart & Soul also showcases several of the musicians who appear in the movie. Along with Woodard and the Ground Hog Opry (who also perform the equally winsome "Oklahoma Sunshine"), self-described Cajun crusaders Marc and Ann Savoy contribute the lively "Two Step de Eunice," James Andrews III and Trombone Shorty offer the spicy New Orleans jazz of "Give Me My Money Back," and up-and-coming Boston rock band Waltham's "Cheryl" has an appealing blend of rock and power pop that kind of sounds like a cross between Rick Springfield and Weezer. Joel McNeely's "Score for Minnie Yancey" detracts somewhat from the cross-country concert that makes up the rest of the album, but it does have a pleasantly Appalachian feel. A livelier and more creative soundtrack than might be expected, America's Heart & Soul is a warm-hearted tribute to the different sounds and different people that make up America and its music. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi

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