Customer Reviews

God Bless America

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"God Bless America" is a nice recording. Everything is well performed. But like the Shaw recording of many of these same pieces, I think that patriotic music should be a bit crisper (i.e. it should have the flavor of a Sousa Band rather than a Symphony Orchestra). I also think that a men's chorus is perhaps a more effective instrument for most of these works (e.g. all of the service Hymns and anthems). Two fine recordings to consider are the patriotic recording by the all-male U.S. Army Chorus on the Allegro label and better still, the new patriotic CD - "The Spirit of Freedom" - by the Washington Men's Camerata on Gothic.

Since I have never owned or listened to a MTC CD, I find this a little difficult to write about. However, I had quite an extraordinary experience with one song in particular off this collection. I was flying from Boston to Phoenix on America West airlines, and as we flew through a gathering of magnificent thunderheads, highlighted even further by the setting sun with a rich halo of muted yellows, pinks and oranges, the song Shenandoah came on channel 2 of their in-flight music channel. This stunning rendition of this folk song matched the passing of the towering thunderheads, while below you could see the lush green valleys below, and it was just a magical moment...if you have never been touched by just how magnificent a country we live in, I hope you have a chance to experience this sometime in your life. I bought this CD the next day after I got home, and about once a week, I put on Shenandoah, and in my mind's eye, I can watch this big beautiful country of ours roll by. I get goose bumps even now....The rest of the songs are equally as good, with the traditional arrangements coming through with grace and dignity. Without being too mushy about this, it really is a wonderful CD to listen to on a weekend, when you can just pop it in and listen as you go about your chores at home. I guarantee you that you will, at some time during your listening experience, feel goose bumps of your own starting to form.....

I love Opera, Choirs and beautiful music and this C.D. did'nt deceive me. Although I'm a Frenchman, many of the songs recorded here were known to me. Originally, I bought this C.D. for the « Battle Hymn of the Republic » which, even in France, is a mythical song (I heard it for the first time with Joan Baez), but I was enthralled by all other songs, traditional and poetic as well as patriotic and « more military » ones. The Choirs are powerfull, with splendid voices and their technique is perfect. One might think here and there that there's too much organ, and it's interesting to listen to the « religious » Battle Hymn of the Republic on this C.D. and the more « military » one on the C.D. « Songs of America's Heartland » by the same Choirs. At any rate this C.D. makes me dream once more of the heart of America. And I'm longing to come back to Mount Rushmore... but meanwhile I can always watch it on the cover of the C.D. and listen to the music.

Most of the traditional songs on this cd sound wonderful. While the miltiary themes (Cassons Go Rolling Along, Marine Hymn, etc.) are not the march type songs one has come to expect, they are sung beutifully and stir some strong emotions, particullarly with our troups currently over seas.

Overall, theis is a great CD for Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Vetrans Day occasions,and just listening to on it's own. I highly recomend it.

The Morman Tabernacle Choir, as always, has a wonderful sound, however this was a bit too operatic in nature. I was looking for a more "macho" version of these patriotic songs.

Beautiful patriotic music, but be warned that most of the tracks are heavy on the sopranos, which seems odd for songs such as Anchors Away and the Marine Corps Hymn.

Naturally, I love the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for its mission, its beautiful sound and clarity. This CD should never have left the mastering room in its current state. I am extremely disappointed with the overwhelming presence of the orchestras (I wish the description of the CD would mention that the choir doesn't perform by itself), they take center stage in every song. This is easily avoided with proper sound editing. As a result, most words sung are barely audible, and the choir's eloquent performance techniques are lost in the cacaphony of notes. These are songs celebrating our great country, they should sound that way!

This a wonderful CD. Very patriotic and sung beautifully by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

I would recommend this CD to anyone whose a real patriotic American.

God Bless America is a fine collection of American anthems and battle-cry songs, beautifully executed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. My only complaint is that, while the CD contains more tracks than the original vinyl of the same title, a couple of the better tracks have been left off. But combine this one with their 30 best songs, and you get the lot.

I am involved with several veteran/patriotic organizations and frequently have need of music of this nature. This CD is of the highest quality music of this type. I find it to be one of the best choices available for this usage. I would advise others in like situations to consider adding this CD to their resource materials.