Joel Munyon | Joliet, Illinois - the poohole of America. | 08/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cd is, simply put, one of the most wholesome cd you'll find today. The songs will make you think of good things and there is only one semi-depressing tune on this cd, track #4, but that too becomes delightful. If you're a Newman fan, you'll enjoy hearing his positive songs, unlike some of the music from Green Mile, Shawshank, and Road to Perdition, which were very fitting for those films. How To Make An American Quilt's music was actually better than the film that embodied it. Out of my collection of nearly fifty musical scores, this is one of my top five. Tracks #1,2,5,6,15,16,18, and 20 are delightful. This is a great cd to read a book to. You will not be dissapointed with this one."
Newman's Own
G. Thomas | San Carlos, CA United States | 08/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD evokes a smile, and perhaps a tear as well. I'll have to admit, I haven't even seen the actual film that this soundtrack belongs to. Yet, I recently became a fan of Thomas Newman's after seeing "American Beauty". Newman definitely has his own unordinary and extraordinary style, being unparalleled by any other composer to date. A sense of astonishment and amazement is felt when listening to this beautifully written CD. Actually, I was reminded of my trip to Colonial Williamsburg a few years back. I know that the movie has nothing to do with that location, but, the point is that Newman is able to project a musical "setting" for the listener to exist in for the moment. Creativity at it's best. Kudos for Tom! My favorites are "The Life Before" and "The Crow", which share some of the same themes, as well as "Night Orchard", but I enjoy the entire CD's passionate cues, as well as the other vocal songs inserted in between. You actually feel as if wrapped within a warm blanket when listening to "Quilting Theme". If you like any of Thomas Newman's work, or would simply like to travel back in time to a historical world of awe, purchase this CD. You won't regret it."
Beautiful and dreamlike
G. Thomas | 12/27/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I watched the film, "How to make an American Quilt," I cried, more because of the heartbreaking musical score than the movie's content. I can only describe the 'Quilting Theme' as gentle and serene. This sounds corny, but the soothing music almost makes you imagine putting a warm quilt around your shoulders and going to sleep. It is too bad this soundtrack will probably forever go unnoticed by most people."
Simple, Superb
Kimberly B. Stone | Colorado, USA | 05/25/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just don't think it gets better than Thomas Newman and, to me, this is his loveliest work yet. The instrumental selections are haunting, evocative, yet simple and lyrical. These pieces stand on their own, but having seen the film adds special resonance with each piece. I could listen to this CD all day. Newman is a genius - this composition is a jewel."
The Diver
Kimberly B. Stone | 02/13/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This soundtrack gets 5 stars just for one song on the entire cd. 'The Diver.' One of the truly most beautiful pieces in soundtrack history."