Modern-day folklorist Ken Burns has a knack for capturing the nostalgic, sepia-toned ardor of history and turning it into something tangible. Whether it is baseball, war, or the saga of jazz, Burns treats his subjects with reverence, often spending as much time in the recording studio as he does behind the camera. On the soundtrack to the PBS film Lewis & Clark, he's gathered longtime collaborators Jay Ungar and Bobby Horton, as well as Celtic legends John and Phil Cunningham, to flesh out his tale of exploration and discovery. Featuring narration from the likes of Matthew Broderick, Sam Waterston, and Adam Arkin posing as historical figures, the album flows like the Missouri River itself, incorporating traditional folk, Native American, and original tunes with grace and respect. Solo piano pieces like the plaintive "Sacagawea's Lullabye" borrow colors from keyboardist George Winston's paint box, and the spooky "Cheyenne Eyes" is drenched in Daniel Lanois atmospherics. Skip Gorman's lively "Buffalo Hump" is the perfect foil for the Cunningham brothers' poignant "When Summer Ends," and Burns' arrangement of "Bonaparte's Retreat," with its "Hoedown" refrain, is a playful breath of fresh air amongst the predominantly bittersweet disposition of the work, making Lewis & Clark a worthy companion to a great adventure. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide