Sacred Harp Music

We discovered this sound when we watched Antony Mingella's wonderful film of Cold Mountain (in there with Top Films - fantastic performances by all of the cast and a great soundtrack.)

I knew nothing about Sacred Harp music and the wonderful harmonies from the Baptist tradition but this version of  'I'm Coming Home' shows exactly how it works.  The singers sing the sounds of the song first then when everyone knows the 'tune' the words are added.  This is the choir who sang for the soundtrack of the film rehearsing.  You can see more on the DVD extras if you have the film.  Get it if you don't.  It is a most unusual sound. 

You need to have the film to see the family in church singing this song - towards the start of the film.

Should also mention that the other songs on the soundtrack are also wonderful, many of them written by Jack White, from the White Stripes, who also appears in the film.

Films for Life Part 2

Thought I'd add these into the mix as well.   The first is something we enjoyed at the cinema.  We don't go very often; normally we wait for things to come out on DVD.  partly because when we were at Fellside it was at least a 70 mile round trip to get to the cinema and back.  So we would often go to watch two or three films at the same time.  That used to make quite long trips when we would watch a Harry Potter, a Lord of the Rings and one other film!

The Artist

This second film we saw on DVD a while ago but recently followed up with the second part.  It's not an easy watch, so possibly not immediately recognisable as something that makes you smile, but the acting was fantastic, and the directing and the writing equally so.  You really get the sense of this group of people and their relationships and I found that the original and the second part have stayed with me for a long time.  Now have to get hold of part three.

This is England

 

Films for Life

So here are my top five films of all time .... well today anyway.  In no particular order.

1

Withnail and I

2

Raising Arizona

3

Amelie

 

4

To Kill a Mockingbird

5

Mr Blandings Builds his Dream House