Various Artists

O Brother Where Art Thou? – Deluxe Edition

Universal

Hard to believe it’s been a decade since the O Brother Where Art Thou? movie and accompanying soundtrack. The music was arguably more important than the film – it certainly went off to create its own life; a powerful introduction to country music and mountain soul music for so many people.

Here we have a double disc, the original album represented on the first disc, while the second features rarities and unreleased tracks. T Bone Burnett’s archival/restoration work here has this music sounding fresh and startling. The haunting voices of John Hartford and Ralph Stanley, the haunted material that Ralph Stanley sings – this was a gateway drug; a compilation that made country music acceptable, the barnyard doors pushed wide open.

Now with 14 new songs to take in it’s ploughing time for country music’s backyard once again.