Customer Reviews

America!

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sorry I bought this CD. "America" is just another Altissimo compilation of recordings that may be obtained directly from the armed services for free. Through a quirk in the law the armed services are prohibited from selling CDs to the public. But that same law allows anybody (including Altissimo) to reassemble these otherwise free recordings and sell them to the public. The performers are great - but the quality of the recordings are inconsistent, the number of selections is paltry and the arrangements do not really work together on the CD. I have learned from speaking to some of the performers here in DC, that all of this is due in part to the fact that the recordings were never intended by the military to be part of a commercial CD. Many other recordings are better: Robert Shaw's "Battle Cry of Freedom"; the Washington Men's Camerata's "Spirit of Freedom" and the Morman Tabernacle Choir's "God Bless America" (although the Morman Tabernacle's recording is a bit operatic for patriotic music). In any event, I doubt this CD will satisfy you - so try some others.

Paltry selection and other problems make this a CD to avoid. Many other excellent patriotic discs are available. For two superior recordings see Robert Shaw's "Battle Cry of Freedom" and The Washington Men's Camerata's "Spirit of Freedom."

I may agree with some comments that it is not the best CD ever recorded but it is certainly not the worst. There are two tunes that are not perfect, including "Northern Lights" better known as "The battle Cry of Freedom", but I will say that this CD is generally, a good quality CD. I have bought it at a very inexpensive price and I think that it was a good buy. If you look at something more standard, you may buy "Songs of the U.S. Army", "Songs of the Marines", "Songs of the U.S. Air Force" or "Songs of the U.S. Navy" that are excellent. It is a matter of choice and it is certainly an acceptable choice.

Basically a repeat of the same stuff already offered by Altissimo! Nothing new here. Overall poor recording quality of selections offered by Air Force elsewhere for free. Not evern very good selection of music. Same old boring patriotic numbers. Would be nice if the Air Force could offer something a little more exciting than this. Most US bands suffer from poor music selections. Great bands that play mediocre music.

Poor quality, and not the kind of singing I associate with many of these songs. Some of them are beautiful in this style (which reminds me of a combination of an operatic/classical/mushy style), but most ought to be more of a strong, rousing rendition, and they're just not...

If you want a good basic mix of patriotic music this album is good, but if
you want something a little more advanced try Not Sousa Vol. 2 It's a good
album for the price. I hope this gives something to those of you who just
want to know about the music. The singing sergeants perform with excellence
and verve. The USAF band is also great on this album and whether or not you
are familiar with either group you should definitely check out this album.