Search - Nathan Barr, Lisbeth Scott :: True Blood

Absolutely Electrifying from Start to Finish

Phoenix Child | USA | 09/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a sucker for TV/Film soundtracks, and I was so satisfied by the "True Blood" soundtrack that I looked this one up. At first I was looking for the achingly beautiful ballad "Take Me Home" as performed by Lisbeth Scott, although I must admit the tantalizing acoustics of Bill & Sookie's love theme from the show were a bit of a draw. So, bearing this in mind, I purchased Nathan Barr's original score for "True Blood"...



And I was utterly blown away.



Barr is a unique composer in that his preferred method is stripped down, deconstructed acoustics. The entire score for "True Blood" is performed by three acoustic instruments (a cello, a guitar, and a bowed electric guitar) as well as a piano. Arising from these four simple instruments, Barr plucked complex melodies and soft stirrings of instrumentation from which arises all the feeling of the show: the romance, the soft, creeping horror, the overall feel of the deep south, the excitement, the drama...



Barr's unique approach is undeniably powerful - perhaps the greatest example is "From Grieve to Grave to Groove" which begins in soft mourning, rises in excitment, and swirls to a romantic crescendo. The fact that Barr plays all instruments by himself throughout gives the album a personal, stripped down feel that is so undeniably appealing that it beats out a full blown orchestral movement simply by the feeling of intimacy -- Barr's score is unpretentious as a guitar player strumming out a beat in his living room.



This is not to say that Barr's score lacks power, or, indeed, range. "Tripping" is a marvelously creeping track that slides through the strange effects of drug use, while "The Tribunal" is a rising crescendo of complicated cello movements that leaves the listener breathless. Each and every track is unique in its own ways, even those that recycle older themes: "Amy's Goodbye," for instance, dances through the druggish tones of "Tripping" while keeping the softly menacing piano movements of "Gran's Story" as well as the drawing acoustic power of "Hairclip."



Another strength of Barr's score is his collaborations with Lisbeth Scott. Scott's voice is absoulutely amazing -- buttery smooth and controlled, rising in range and power to something like the bluegrass of Kim Richey mixed with the soulful power of Sarah McLachlan. "Take Me Home" is a ballad that's a solid tearjerker from start to finish, but she also lends her unique vocals to "Sancto Erico" to masterful effect.



Nathan Barr's score to "True Blood" is nothing that I'd ever expected or experienced -- it can be viewed as a solid companion to a wonderful television show, or it can be seen as an album from an independent artist. It swirls with power, range, and emotion, the intimate stripped-bare feel of it resonating in a way that a full-blown orchestra simply can't. I would give a list of stand-outs, but the entire album is so enjoyable that I couldn't pick any particular one. This sweepingly beautiful album outshines its source material as well as the soundtrack album by lightyears.



6 out of 5 stars.



(A lovely bonus track to end off the album is "Love Theme," which is merely Bill & Sookie's theme with accompanying piano by Lisbeth Scott.)



Post Script:

For those fans of the show who are looking for particular themes and cues-- "Hairclip," "First Taste," "Bill and Sookie Together" and "Love Theme" contain Bill & Sookie's love theme from the show. Both "Tripping" and "Amy's Goodbye" contain the v-juice drug theme as well as Jason and Amy's theme (they also have a track together: "Jason and Amy"). Other recognizable and notable cues run throughout the album, but "Take Me Home" is the song that plays while Sookie eats her grandmother's pie after the funeral (the track "The Funeral" has the central theme of "Take Me Home" running through it as well).



Also recommended:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Score The Buffy score album is more of an orchestral collection than "True Blood," but has the same intimate and sweeping feel of some of Nathan Barr's tracks from "True Blood."



True Blood This is the soundtrack album, which contains 14 songs from the first season of the show, as well as one or two that weren't used. It's a fun and fast southern album that's got its own distinct feel -- as well as the addictive theme song of the show, "Bad Things" by Jace Everett."

Beautifully haunting

Miriador | New York, New York USA | 09/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I knew people would be excited about this CD once its release was announced. Nathan Barr's haunting score to True Blood does not disappoint! And there are some lovely surprises - like the vocals on the opening track, "Take Me Home," and I was really moved by "Tara and Mother." My one quip is that I wish some of the tracks were longer. I LOVE "Bill's Lament" and wish it was longer, because it so beautifully captures the pathos that is Bill. Love love love it! And "Gran's Story" is wonderfully crafted. All these little musical hints of the characters we've come to know and love - from the TV show and the books!



There are a few nice long tracks (i.e. - Grieve to Grave to Groove, The Tribunal, and The Cabin) and Amy and Jason's themes are especially haunting.



Really beautiful stuff.



Love the delicacy that turns into the urgency of "Bill and Sookie Together" and their "Reunion" and "Love Theme." So romantic and sexy.



Bitter-sweetly satisfying."

True blood

ursaterra | NM, US | 01/27/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"love the series....love the music....I am not a musicologist but I know what pleases me and this was altogether pleasing. Mellow cello and edgy piano cords and single notes well placed...creative in all aspects.The music, as applied to the show was not separate from the story, it totally accentuated the story telling and I never noticed the soundtrack but knew I would enjoy this cd separately and ....well, this is one soundtrack I will revisit frequently. Thank you Nathan Barr."