HomeMusicThe Music of Nashville Original Soundtrack Season 5 Volume 3 review

The Music of Nashville Original Soundtrack Season 5 Volume 3 review

Nashville Season 5 Volume 3
Credit: Big Machine Records

Nashville has enjoyed a creative resurgence since its move to CMT for its fifth season and that has meant us lucky fans get more music than ever. With two soundtracks already released for the fifth season, a third volume has recently arrived packed with 17 more tracks from the show. The first two volumes have featured some of the showā€™s strongest material in years and the third volume promises to keep up the high standard.

The music contained on this volume comes from the last portion of the season and itā€™s hard to listen to some of these tracks without thinking of the emotional impact that the death of Rayna (Connie Britton) has had on the show. Opening with Good Rain or Jesus by Charles Esten, the soundtrack tugs on the heartstrings immediately and Estenā€™s vocal is so passionate itā€™s impossible not to be moved. To be honest, I was an emotional wreck by the time the song finished and had to take a little breather before heading into the next track!

Nashville has really played to its strengths this season in terms of its music. Hayden Panettiere may not have had many songs in season 5 (which is a damn shame) but she at least got two of the best ā€“ On My Way and Water Rising. The original version of On My Way featured on an earlier soundtrack so the gospel version is the one included here. Water Rising, a song Panettiereā€™s character Juliette stole from Maddie, is one of the best songs all season and it pushes Panettiere vocal, which is a great thing.

Lennon & Maisy get two of the best moments on the soundtrack with the catchy Clockwork and the emotional punch of Love Until It Hurts. It doesnā€™t matter how many times these girls sing together, I still get goosebumps every single time. They are so natural and both possess incredible moments. Lennon gets a chance to shine on solo track Beautiful Dream, which recalls Chris Isaakā€™s Wicked Game.

Elsewhere on the soundtrack Jonathan Jackson gets a look in with Rose and Thorn, and No One Cares About Your Dreams, Chris Carmack delivers a real anthem with the powerful Stand Up and Rhiannon Giddens showcases her brand of folk on Going Down the Road Feeling Bad and Count on Me. Clare Bowen gets the tears flowing once again with the gorgeous Forever, which featured in a particularly heartbreaking moment towards the end of the season.

One thing that strikes me as slightly odd is that Kaitlin Doubleday isnā€™t featured on the soundtrack at all. It seems odd to introduce a major new character to the show such as Jessie Caine, have her sing some pivotal songs then include none of them on the soundtrack.

Five seasons in and Nashville can still deliver the goods. The show has a cast with so much talent that itā€™s hard not to be in awe of them. These arenā€™t just actors who can find their way around a tune, they are real singers and songwriters who perform with passion and conviction. This latest soundtrack volume just reinforces why fans fought so hard to save the show and the fantastic music it produces.

Track list: 1. Good Rain or Jesus (Charles Esten) 2. As the Crow Flies (Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio) 3. Clockwork (Lennon & Maisy) 4. On My Way (Choir Version) (Hayden Panettiere) 5. Going Down the Road Feeling Bad (Electric Version) (Rhiannon GIddens) 6. Rose and Thorn (Jonathan Jackson) 7. Stand Up (Chris Carmack) 8. Love Until It Hurts (Lennon & Maisy) 9. Without You (Charles Esten) 10. Water Rising (Hayden Panettiere) 11. Beautiful Dream (Ballad Version) (Lennon Stella) 12. In the End (Sam Palladio) 13. Little Darlinā€™ (Clare Bowen & Chris Carmack) 14. Count on Me (Rhiannon Giddens) 15. No One Cares About Your Dreams (Jonathan Jackson) 16. Forever (Clare Bowen) 17. Dreaming My Dreams With You (Charles Esten) Record Label: Big Machine Records Release Date: 11th August 2017

Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

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