Fans of This Is Spinal Tap certainly were satisfied by Christopher Guest's Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show, since they often achieved a similar level of deliriously inspired improvised genius. Even so, one key ingredient was missing: the music, which is as brilliant as the spontaneous jokes and set pieces in the movie itself. For his third mockumentary (a term that Guest hates, but has become shorthand for his unique comedy), Guest returned to music, creating a tribute to the folk scene of the early '60s with A Mighty ...
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Fans of This Is Spinal Tap certainly were satisfied by Christopher Guest's Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show, since they often achieved a similar level of deliriously inspired improvised genius. Even so, one key ingredient was missing: the music, which is as brilliant as the spontaneous jokes and set pieces in the movie itself. For his third mockumentary (a term that Guest hates, but has become shorthand for his unique comedy), Guest returned to music, creating a tribute to the folk scene of the early '60s with A Mighty Wind, where three of the biggest folk acts of the era reunite for a tribute concert to a recently deceased folk producer. Since this is a fictional comedy, not a documentary, it does take some liberties with the truth, particularly because it deliberately chooses not to address political or protest folk. Some may gripe about this, but it hardly hurts the film and its accompanying soundtrack because the movie is bathed in the warm, fond glow of nostalgia and prefers to focus on the spirit of the times, not the details. So, there is no no equivalent of Bob Dylan or Phil Ochs in A Mighty Wind, but the three main acts have clear counterparts: the trio of the Folksmen (featuring Spinal Tap's Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer) are the Kingston Trio; Mitch & Mickey (Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara) are the film's romantically entwined duo, akin to Ian & Sylvia or Richard & Mimi Fariņa; finally, the New Main Street Singers (featuring John Michael Higgins, Jane Lynch, and Parker Posey, among others) are the equivalent of the Limeliters and the New Christy Minstrels. What's remarkable about the music is that it's all written by the cast and perfectly captures the sound and feel of the folk crossover acts of the time. Each group has a different sound befitting their counterpart, and within that, the songs are bright and varied, tuneful and memorable. Apart from the Folksmen's cover of the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up," which is not heard in the film, and perhaps the heavy-handed (but very funny) "The Good Book Song" by the New Main Street Singers, there are no obvious jokes, which is what makes the music work as music . And while some of the songs may function almost too well as neo-period pieces -- witness the somberness of the Folksmen's Spanish/American war "Skeletons of Quinto" -- most of these are infectiously enjoyable as individual songs. They're as good as the songs in Spinal Tap and, in some ways, more impressive, since they're more intricate and cover more styles. The greatest testament to its success is that it works as a folk-pop album regardless of the film. It is funnier if you're in the joke, but that's not necessary to know if you just want to enjoy the music here on this splendid album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
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Add this copy of A Mighty Wind: the Album to cart. $2.85, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by DMZ / Columbia / Sony Music Soun.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of A Mighty Wind: the Album to cart. $3.09, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by DMZ / Columbia / Sony Music Soun.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of A Mighty Wind: the Album to cart. $3.35, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by DMZ/Columbia/Sony Music Soundtrax.
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Fair. Disc(s) and case show moderate signs of wear and tear. All items include the original case and artwork. Jewel Case has significant wear, including cracks.
Add this copy of A Mighty Wind: the Album to cart. $4.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Ruby rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by DMZ / Columbia / Sony Music Soun.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of A Mighty Wind: the Album to cart. $4.99, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by DMZ / Columbia / Sony Music Soun.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of A Mighty Wind: the Album to cart. $7.68, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by DMZ/Columbia/Sony Music Soundtrax.
Add this copy of A Mighty Wind: the Album to cart. $7.92, good condition, Sold by ICTBooks rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Wichita, KS, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by DMZ/Columbia/Sony Music Soundtrax.
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