Entertainment Weekly (No. 807, pp.77-8) - "[Certain] songs memorably capture the uneasy hope of some of the critically acclaimed show's central characters..." - Grade: B
Uncut (p.116) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[I]t's a country-loving, blues-supping cowboy's El Dorado..."
Enthusiasts of the acclaimed HBO series DEADWOOD will love this well-selected soundtrack. In addition to its excellent song selection, which features musical highlights from the program's first season, the album includes snippets of dialogue from the show. Memorable exchanges between characters Clell Watson, Joanie Stubbs, Seth Bullock, and the foul-mouthed, appropriately named Al Swearengen are interspersed with the musical treasures here, making this as much a souvenir piece as a collection of music.
But the music is superb as well, with its emphasis on American roots styles that evoke an old-world flavor. Jelly Roll Morton's hot jazz take on "Stars and Stripes Forever" and Mississippi John Hurt's "Farther Along" represent, respectively, the urban and rural strains of African-American music at the time, while Gustavo Santaolalla's Brazilian excursion "Iguazu" and Margaret's Native-American "Creek Lullaby" keep the stylistic palette revolving. Contemporary artists Michael Hurley and Lyle Lovett fit surprisingly well with the old-school blues and country here, making DEADWOOD an engaging listen, even for those unfamiliar with the show. (Note: The edited version of the soundtrack excludes the dialogue tracks.)