Various Artists - We Were Soldiers

The "music from and inspired by" the Mel Gibson Vietnam film is a full slate of new recordings by a wide range of mainstream stars, along with bagpipe and glee-club pieces that convey the movie's sobriety. Quiet, detailed vignettes by Mary Chapin Carpenter (Patty Griffin's "My Dear Old Friend") and India Arie ("Good Man") express the human losses inherent in the conflict, while the pop-country duo Montgomery Gentry offer "Didn't I," the plaint of the returning vet. Much of the rest is inspirational pop of various stripes. Johnny Cash and Dave Matthews team for the ethereal "For You," while Five for Fighting's "The Beautiful" recalls Matthews's most radio-ready tracks. Atmospheric moments from Christian-poppers and up-and-coming Nashville stars complete the package, which is sure to appeal both to fans of the film and those who'll apply the patriotic sentiments to present-day realities. --Bob Roget Amazon.com

A vet's review

What a soundtrack!! The artist selection, the lyrics, the music, the sequence.....everything was dead-on. Can't think of anything that was missed, or any way to improve it. A great, GREAT, tribute to our fallen brothers!! November 2, 2008

great companion to movie and score

To those familiar with Mel's score and soundtrack (songs inspired by...) on the film, "The Passion of the Christ", it appears Mel and crew first acheived this with the "We Were Soldiers" film and succeeds. This is a great companion to both the movie and the score (even has a fuller version of the Sgt. MacKenzie song). As many other reviewers have attested, the songs capture well the feelings soldiers and their families must go through during a time of war. To me this CD is not only a fitting tribute to the Veterans of the Vietnam War, but also to those Brave Men and Women currently fighting to protect our freedoms in Iraq, Afghanistan and all around the world. July 8, 2008

We Were Soldiers - Soundtrack CD

I bought this CD for Sgt. MacKenzie and ended up enjoying almost all the songs on this CD. January 9, 2008

The Passion of Mel Gibson

This collection of songs seems to be more a testimonial to our military than entertainment for our jaded ears. We need only contemplate those involved to see that it's another gift of a sort from Mel Gibson, et al. Sure, they make the money - but we have the profound experience of listening, and of hearing what these songs say to us about war, love, and sacrifice. The first cut, "For You", in the gravelly, aged, tired, and marvelous voice of Johhny Cash, with a bit of sweet balance from Dave Matthews isn't, as someone earlier commented, a "rockabilly duet" - this is a song done in the first-person tense, of that ultimate sacrifice made 2000 years ago on a cross outside of Jerusalem, and it reminds us that our military - in whatever wars - have been ready to sacrifice their lives as well. An outstanding musical performance, followed by 12 more good-to-excellent pieces which all, in one way or another, reflect the experience of war. The biggest goose-bumps are saved for last with "The Mansions of the Lord". Who would have guessed that in this age of hip-hop and half-dress a pair of contemporaries would reach into their souls and present to us a hymn truly of the Grand Tradition: the words were written today/the words were written 2000 years ago; the melody is simultaneously anguish and triumph. The composer (Nick Glennie-Smith) and the lyricist (Randall Wallace - who wrote Gibson's film "Braveheart") have given to every fallen soldier's loved ones a glimpse of that soldier's Easter Day. This hymn is now being performed during military funerals - a tradition begun in Ronald Reagan's funeral at the National Cathedral. So - this album is great listening, with a good mix of performers, and styles - but beyond that, it's music that speaks to the soul. March 5, 2006

This cd reflects true emotions of soldiers and families affected by war

Coming from a family member of one of the soldiers that served and died under Gen Moore's command in the Ia Drang Valley, I must say that this cd fully captures the wide range of emotion that everyone involved has felt along the way. A big thank you to the artists that participated. Your music brought me to tears! January 7, 2006

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