The likes of Yo-Yo Ma, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer, Joshua Bell, and Mark OConnor can be heard on Heartland, a compilation featuring the best tracks from Sonys ongoing Appalachian-themed series of CDs. Individually, these folk and classical stars have little in common, but when they meet to play these new bluegrass-meets-chamber-music arrangements, the results are pure magic. Its hard to pinpoint these Americana-tinged tunes–they could fit in either Carnegie Hall or a grange hall–but theyre all great; this is as much Aaron Coplands version of roots music as it is Bill Monroes. Whether on fast-and-furious breakdowns such as “Death by Triple Fiddle” or on mellow, almost New Agey instrumentals such as “Sliding Down” (featuring Bela Fleck on the banjo), these musicians excel. Guest vocals by James Taylor and Alison Krauss break up the instrumentals, though instrumental virtuosity is the real highlight of this disc. If you like what you hear on this sampler, check out the Grammy Award-winning Appalachian Journey next. –Jason Verlinde

5 Responses to “Heartland: An Appalachian Anthology”

1. Melissa Thompson says:

   April 22, 2003 at 12:00 am

   If you are planning to open up a high-end gift shop specializing in handcrafted wind chimes and micro-bakery scone mixes and the like, then you must have this CD playing for your customers. It might have a certain appeal there that it did not find in my living room. Not to say that the musicianship is not utterly outstanding, which it is most certainly. Aside from Short Trip Home, which is why I purchased this CD in the first place, I found the rest of the pieces somewhat vapid considering the caliber of the artists. Again, it has its appeal in an easy listening realm, but this was not what I was looking for.
2. Admin says:

   March 16, 2004 at 12:00 am

   Great violin, appalachian music, brings out your country roots, beautiful song by Allison Krauss, good mix of slow and up beat songs, excellent cd!
3. Martha Doty says:

   February 1, 2006 at 12:00 am

   Heartland is a haven and a piece of heaven. I was transported.