Track Listing

1. Shine Your Light - Robbie Robertson
2. As I'm Leaving - David Gray
3. Fire - The Ohio Players
4. How to Dream - Sam Phillips
5. Cannonball - The Breeders
6. Orange Sky - Alexi Murdoch
7. You and Me - Tom Petty
8. Reflection-Adagio - Robbie Robertson
9. If I Should Fall from Grace With God - The Pogues
10. Love Sneakin' Up on You - Bonnie Raitt
11. Twice as Hard - The Black Crowes
12. Big Sweet Life - Jon Dee Graham
13. Call to Courage - William Ross, William Ross

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20651 in Music
• Released on: 2004-09-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com
While films like Back Draft have celebrated the spectacular danger and courageous work that America's firefighters face every day, director Jay Russell's tale of a Baltimore ladder company is more interested in the character of the men that dedicate their lives to saving others. The film's character study nature has inspired a song-based soundtrack that variously evokes introspection (David Gray's "As I'm Leaving", "How to Dream" by Sam Phillips) and differences of generation (The Breeders' rollicking "Cannonball," "Twice as Hard" by Black Crowes, Tom Petty's "You and Me" and ethnicity (The Pogues' "If I Should Fall From Grace With God", composer William Ross' richly textured underscore extract), all of it grounded in a rock solid working class ethos embodied by Bonnie Raitt's "Love Sneakin' Up On You". Of special note is Robbie Robertson's heart-on-its-sleeve ballad "Shine Your Light," the first song the Band founder and rock legend has written expressly for a motion picture. Robertson also contributes the film's moody, Celtic-tinged instrumental end title piece, "Reflections/Adagio." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

My Salvation
"Ladder 49" is an excellent song collection that is able to be enjoyed both in reflecting on the film & as its own stand-alone collection. The Band's Robbie Robertson opens up with the lovely anthem "Shine Your Light" that marries an inspirational lyric to a midtempo pop melody, "Don't want to be a hero, just an everyday man, trying to the job the very best he can, but now it's like living up for all time out on the rim over the line." From David Gray's "Lost Songs" CD, "As I'm Leaving" is a wistful pop melody with Gray's unique delivery. Another track that I find delightful is the little-know Alexi Murdoch's "Orange Sky" that of course thematically fits a fire-filled skyline. Coming to the U.S. from Scotland, Murdoch has only put out one EP with 4 songs, one of which is included here. Murdoch's track builds emotionally and powerfully, "In your love, my salvation lies." From Sam Phillips' 2001 CD "Fan Dance" the producers have placed "How to Dream," a midtempo track with Phillips' expressive growl. Bonnie Raitt contributes "Love Sneakin' Up On You" from her 1994 CD "Longing In Their Hearts." It's another journeywoman performance from this master musician. The instrumental interlude by Robbie Robertson, "Reflection-Adagio" is truly an orchestral gem with its lovely melody, stately build & powerful wallop. Breeders, Pogues & Black Crowes all rock joyfully. This is an excellent collection that stands alone as a quality musical experience. Enjoy!

Wonderful Movie, Soundtrack Awesome
This soundtrack is wonderful. It contains a wide variety of music, yet they all fit together. The main song by Robbie Robertson is amazing.
See this movie, and then buy the soundtrack. You won't regret it.

Very Pleased
I just received my copy of the Ladder 49 soundtrack, and I couldn't be happier. What beautiful music! Every song that I loved from the movie is on the CD. Robbie Robertson's "Shine Your Light" gives me goosebumps. It's such an inspirational song. How can you not love "Fire" from The Ohio Players. "As I'm Leaving" and "You and Me" are great. I was also suprised to see "A Call to Courage" on there. It plays at the beginning of the movie, and it's very powerful. If you enjoyed the movie, you should get the soundtrack. You won't be disapointed.