The War, directed by Ken Burns, was a seven-part documentary series broadcast on PBS television in 2007, focusing on the experiences of American soldiers in World War II. Much popular music of the period was heard on the soundtrack, as was some music specifically composed and recorded for use in the film. The War: A Ken Burns Film: The Soundtrack has 17 selections from the work. It mixes compositions/performances by Wynton Marsalis; vintage recordings from the time by Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Kay Starr; and some other material, including one track, "American Anthem," recorded by Norah Jones on piano and vocal specifically for the series (and previously unreleased prior to its appearance here). The vintage jazz-pop tracks are the ones that both give the strongest flavor for the World War II era and are the strongest musically, though the far more subdued and reflective classical pieces and works composed specially for the series are more in keeping with the sober mood of the war itself. This CD was also used as the first disc in a four-CD box set with a similar title The War: A Ken Burns Film: Deluxe Edition. That box set gives a much fuller sonic picture of the era and reflection of the moods the filmmaker wished to project via the addition of 40 jazz, pop, and swing recordings from the period and ten classical pieces, as well as a booklet explaining the conception and intention of the documentary series. The box is thus more heavily recommended for both music fans and those wanting a more substantial souvenir of the documentary, though it's naturally much more expensive than this single-disc compilation of pieces from the soundtrack. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide