Brokeback Mountain Soundtrack CD

For Ang Lee's lauded 2005 drama about forbidden love in the Western wilderness, the director called upon Argentine musician Gustavo Santaolalla, renowned for his atmospheric contributions to THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES, to create the movie's score. Here Santaolalla's spare, resonant guitar-based compositions, which often echo the solo work of Daniel Lanois, provide a pitch-perfect backdrop for the moody film, particularly on the gentle "Brokeback Mountain #1" and the twangy "Snow." The soundtrack also features Willie Nelson performing a beautifully minimal version of Bob Dylan's "He Was a Friend of Mine," and Emmylou Harris lending her unmistakable voice to "A Love That Will Never Grow Old," a poignant song penned by Santaolalla and Bernie Taupin. A dynamic companion piece to the revered movie, this collection should appeal to fans of both the film and the aforementioned artists.

Composer: Gustavo Santaolalla.

Personnel: Gustavo Santaolalla (guitar, pump organ); Emmylou Harris, Jackie Greene, Mary McBride, Rufus Wainwright, Steve Earle, Teddy Thompson, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt (vocals); Dean Parks, Mike Turner (guitar); Ray Kennedy (electric guitar); Dan Dugmore (steel guitar); David Mansfield (mandolin); Carmella Ramsey, Gabe Witcher (fiddle); Mickey Raphael (harmonica); Richard Ruttenberg (piano); Anibal Kerpel (Wurlitzer organ, programming); Tony Garnier (acoustic bass); Mike Clarke , Greg Morrow, Matthew Johnson, George Recile (drums); Randy Crenshaw (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Helix Hadar; Larry Klein; Anibal Kerpel .

Recording information: La Casa, Los Angeles, CA; NRG Studios, Hollywood, CA; Paramount Recording, Hollywood, CA; Room + Board, Hermitage, TN; Shelter Island Studio; Shelter Island Studios.

Ensemble: Gas Band.Dirty Linen (p.62) - "Santaolalla's transition instrumentals add a contemplative, melancholy theme that brings cohesion to the various contributions."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.98) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Steve Earle and Rufus Wainwright add some passion and intensity."