Various Artists - The Bridges Of Madison County: Music From The Motion Picture

Clint Eastwood's selection of music for this movie soundtrack is great. He composed and performed two selections.

This CD demonstrates the filmmaking genius of Clint Eastwood. Each song complemented the movie so perfectly. I recently bought the DVD from Amazon, watched it, and remembered everything and more that I loved about this romantic, sad movie. This is such a magical soundtrack--if people only knew!

Whether you like the movie or not the assembled sound track is worth listening to in it's own right. Mellow sounds and a good selection of jazz. The title of the theme is a bit strange " Doe Eyes" only because it doesn't obviously relate to any particular scene in the movie. Unless it can be interpreted as the longing for something more both characters need in their lives. But as stated good mellow listening regardless of enjoyment of the movie.

The real reason to get this cd and the follow up cd is to get the tracks of Johnny Hartman. I've also been trying to find tracks w/ the underrated guitarist Al Gafa; he backs Hartman on some of these tracks -- a real find. Any jazz junkie should attempt to score these two cds.

The best thing about Clint Eastwood's 1995 tearjerker, "The Bridges of Madison County," is the soundtrack. Although most of the album (other than Eastwood's syrupy "Doe Eyes" which appears twice on the disk) is listenable, it's the recordings of Johnny Hartman that make this disk indispensable. Hartman, who has to be considered on the short list of the greatest male vocalists of all time, recorded the material heard here for the now out-of-print album, "Once in Every Life," on the Bee Hive label in 1980, three years before his untimely death at age 60. The album, a late masterpiece surpassed only by his 1963 collaboration with John Coltrane, has never been released on CD but Eastwood has done us all a huge service by releasing the entire content of the album spread out over two disks (this one and its sequel "Remembering Madison County"). Hartman's voice, a smoky baritone, is perfectly suited to the mature romantic ballads he performs here with a very complementary sextet. Hartman recorded some of the tracks, notably "I See Your Face Before Me," earlier in the mid 50s also. On the soundtrack he sings the song at a slower tempo, shading it with nuances earned over the many years he had lived with the lyrics. His renditions of the aforementioned song, "It Was Almost Like a Song" and "For All We Know" may well be the definitive versions.

This is an essential purchase for anyone who loves male jazz vocals.

This CD is filled with many warm memories of a great movie and a great time.There are no weaknesses in this collection of songs;just pure pleasure.

My husband and I have watched this movie over and over and we have listen to the music driving along and I'll turn to him and say "RRRRObert....you wanna F_ _ _ on the linoleum one more time" We just laugh..If you seen the movie as much as we have you will understand. Great cd. It definatly sets a mood you cannot, nor ,want to escape. Pour a brandy,sit close and the music will do the rest.

I bought this album after seeing the movie( what 10 yrs ago?) We were only 30 at the time and still listening to Inxs and George Michael etc... so had never even heard of Johnny Hartman!!) Well 10 years and 3 kids later we are completely addicted to this album. My husband knows that if this is on when he gets home it will be in a very nice evening indeed.About two years ago we lost this cd - probably on a weekend away - and spent another year trying to replace it. There wasnt a single music store in Australia that had a new or second hand copy in stock. Where did they all go ?? I ended up ordering it from the U.K. - it took 3 months and cost $30 ( approx $50 us). Needless to say we have several copies of it now and continue to play it constantly. We now own various Hartman/Washington albums but the mix on this album ( plus we are big fans of Clint's) just seems to be perfect. Sublime.

This is an extremely relaxing and soothing CD and especially recommended when you get home late at night and play it in a dim light. Carries your soul away. You will know what I mean when you listen to it .
Highly recommended.

After reviewing the DVD movie, I was touched by the love that 2 people can share. As in any movie, I believe music helps the movie. I had to get the CD for at least the movie theme song.
But once listening to the complete CD, you'll find several songs that you'll remember the movie's scenes. One of the artist, Johnnie, has an exceptional deep, romantic voice that you'll want to hear over and over. A beautiful CD to capture romantic memories that you'll relate to!

This is the ultimate late-night date album. Beautiful music and very romantic. Lower the lights, put this in your CD player, then let nature take it's course!

I have this music in cassette and am now getting it in CD.
The entire group of songs are soooo beautiful. Reminds me
of the slow love songs of long ago. I could listen to Johnny
Hartman all day and night!