Customer Reviews

The Civil War (1998 Studio Cast)

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

"The Civil War" is undoubtedly an awesome and moving listening experience. I was blown away by some of the material, and the whole collection is extremely entertaining. Mr. Wildhorn and associates are to be commended for this effort. The highlights of this two disc set: All the songs by the Broadway All-Stars (a great vocal exercise!); "If Prayin Were Horses," by Cheryl Freeman and Michel Bell; "Virginia," by Gene Miller; Travis Tritt's surprisingly good rendition of "The Day the Sun Stood Still,"; Linda Eder's reading of "A Nurse's Diary" and the subsequent vocalization of "I Never Knew His Name" are heartwrenching! "Old Gray Coat" by Trace Adkins is a moving treatise on a Rebel's love for his cause; Amy Grant and Bryan White offer "With These Hands," one of the best vocal jobs either artist has recorded; Michael English soars on "Regimental Drummer," another tear-bringing song; Betty Buckley's "Five Boys" captures the anguish and pride of a mother who loses five sons in the battle; Trisha Yearwood is magnificent with her delivery of "The Honor of Your Name," proving once again what a powerful performer she is! John Berry's "Last Waltz for Dixie," and the closing "The Glory" round out the highlights! Add to this expert readings from James Garner, Ellen Burstyn, Dr. Maya Angelou, Charlie Daniels and Danny Glover---you get a unique and powerful listening experience. HIGHLY HIGHTLY RATED.

I fell in love with Frank Wildhorn's "The Civil War" the very second I listened to the first track, as I made my way home to Virginia, from a visit to NYC. This CD not only taught me a thing or two about the Civil War, but also created a new appreciation for the 620,000 casualties of the war, and an understanding of the time period itself. Being able to take yourself back in time, feel the pain they went through, and appreciate every detail through music. Here, I think Frank Wildhorn nailed it.

I am a Civil War buff who had the pleasure of seeing the play in Cincinnati with a fellow history teacher. We both were so entranced by the magnificent score and haunting lyrics that we bought the CD. The mixture of musical styles makes this a CD that will appeal to a cross section of music lovers and students of history alike. We are planning on incorporating this CD into our Civil War unit for 8th grade students. We feel the varied points of view explored in the lyrics and narrations will be an invaluable and memorable way to make the Civil War come alive for our students. On a more personal note, I can not get some of the lyrics "out of my head." They haunt me, especially MISSING YOU, FREEDOM'S CHILD, and BROTHER, MY BROTHER. I have told my colleagues, friends, and family about this CD, and encouraged them to buy it. I have also bought several extra copies for gifts. I don't know anyone who could not find something to suit their taste on this CD. Don't pass it by!

While I am by no-means a Wildhorn basher like so many of New York's close-minded theatre critics ( I loved Jekyll and Pimpernel...), I must say that I was less than impressed with this most recent work. I did have the oppertunity to see the show during it's short Broadway run, and while I found the music enjoyable and the performers in fine voice, I could not overlook the fact that a musical should tell a story, and this one did not. The show teeters on the fine-line between revue and book musical and somehow fails to do either genre justice. If Mr. Wildhorn wished to approach a topic as epic as the Civil War, he should have given us a new perspective with which to look at this much studied story. I do not feel this is too much to ask...Stephen Schwartz did it with Children of Eden...he took the Bible, the best known written work in history and gave us a whole new perspective with which to examine it. Wildhorn has an unquestionable gift for setting dark, haunting romances to music...but I am begining to question weather he will have much luck in any other venues. For a glimpse at the real future of Broadway, one should look to Adam Guettel and Jason Robert Brown...each have one review/song cycle and one serious book musical available for purchase here at amazon...songs with the perspective, intelligence, wit and beauty that Wildhorn seems to have left by the wayside in Civil War.

It is a shame that this show closed so suddenly. The narratives for a music CD are a waste of time (no offense). Some of the songs are amazing. The country sounds cross over very well (Deana Carter). With these hands (duet) is a great tune...but the winner of the album is Sarah by Carl Anderson which is a song taking from a letter written by a soldier to his wife the night before he went into a battle where he knew he was likely to die. Listen to those words and try not to cry.

Although this is not the "traditional" music we are used to hearing it is a wonderful modern presentation of the thoughts and feelings that we as Living Historians work so hard to impress on the general public in the many encampments nation wide. I was ever so moved by the closing anthem and found myself in tears. Those of us who FEEL this History and have come to understand it's devestating horror and loss, appreciate the effort and thought put into this music and lyrics...ask those of us who portry this subject...not the critics...they can't possibly relate to the subject...their tuxedos are on too tight! This work should be judged by those of us who wear wool and layers of petticoats! Blue or Grey.

Let me start off by saying that I did not see 'The Civil War' on stage, and while I enjoy 'Jekyll' and 'Pimpernel', I would not classify myself as a Frank Wildhorn (or Linda Eder) fan. 'Jekyll' and 'Pimpernel', while enjoyable, are very flawed works. I feel 'The Civil War' is his best work.

It always amuses me when people slam Wildhorn on the "period" issue. No, they did not sing rock music during the 19th century. However, 'Les Miserables', 'Miss Saigon', 'The Phantom of the Opera', 'AIDA', and 'EVITA' (to name a few blockbusters) are as guilty as Frank's works of not being true to the "period" they are in. I would like someone to name 5 musicals that are true to their "period". It's a ridiculous argument that has NO merit.

I can understand why 'The Civil War' flopped on Broadway, but we are not discussing the Broadway show, we are discussing the concept album, which is wonderful.

I would rather have had this recording be a concept of the Broadway or Houston cast myself (I'm sick to death of Eder), but what they've lined up here is impressive and beautiful. Favorites of mine include, "Tell My Father", "Virginia", "A Candle in the Window" (even though it's Eder), "Father How Long?", and "The Honor of Your Name", to name a few. This cd is highly enjoyable throughout.

The narrative performances (especially by Garner and Glover) are truly moving and wonderfully set to some really beautiful background music. They are something that should not be skipped over, as they tell a piece of a great American story.

I've always felt that people overly attack Wildhorn. Yes his shows have been flawed, but no more flawed than "AIDA" (or far less flawed than AIDA I should say) and "Hairspray" - two of the biggest hits that are certainly not above "Jekyll", "Pimpernel", or "The Civil War". Yes, Wildhorn is no Schonberg, Sondheim, or even an ALW - but he is not nearly as bad as people claim. For some reason he is a target of those who think they are somehow superior when it comes to theater opinions!

Bottom line - if you want a recording you will enjoy - by this!

I bought this CD becuase I enjoyed Frank Wildhorn's Scarlet Pimpernel and Jekyll & Hyde, and I wanted to listen to more of his work. Well. I was totally absorbed by this recording. There is such a variety of emotions in the songs, from the rollicking, rambunctios 'By the Sword/Sons of Dixie', 'Freedom's Child', and 'Oh Be Joyful', to the heart-rendering 'I Never Knew His Name', 'The Honor of Your Name', and 'If Prayin' Were Horses'. The music captures the essence of the War Between the States...from the visions of honor and glory to the bloody truth of death and sadness. I highly recommend this CD for anyone who enjoys history, Broadway, or just intelligent and enjoyable music.

This Stephen guy, seems to have nothing better to do than bash Wildhorn. Go to The Scarlet Pimpernel (concept) recording, where he bashes the Broadway production. Shows you his mentality-he can't even bash the right recording.

I am certain though that he is a much better composer than Wildhorn- where have we seen your work Stephen?

Before you shred someone else's dream, acheive yours.

On to this recording. It's wonderful! I can see why the show didn't work, because there's really not a story line- but the music is amazing. Wildhorn, while not may favorite composer, is an asset to musical theater.

The song "Father How Long?" is worth the price of the cd alone. Sung by Michael Bell-who has one of the most incredible voices I've ever heard. This man needs to sing the Phantom on stage-he's great!

There are several other great songs on these cds. My favorites are; "Virginia" "Father How Long" "Brother My Brother" "Tell My Father" and the song by Trisha Yearwood which escapes me right now.

Get the recording-it's good and don't listen to people who know nothing of what they talk about. Since you has so much angry energy, maybe you should spend that energy trying to drive some of the rats out of NYC!

I was drawn to The Civil War after listening to a few tracks in a store. I fell in love with it and purchased the complete work. I love its mix of country, light rock, ballads and gospel to tell the very human, yet tragic, story of the Civil War. The quotes by Lincoln, Joshua Chamberlain and others are well-chosen and professionally performed. It has the right ingredients of sadness, joy, humor and insight. Listeners can't help but be drawn in to sense the full range of human emotion that is a by-product on any war. Frank Wildhorn's music has touched my heart and soul with The Civil War. I have been listening to it for months and have yet to grow tired of this wonderful work. Sadly, the show was on Broadway for only 63 days. I hope the show goes on tour. It is one I wouldn't want to miss. I highly recommend The Civil War.