The Civil War Collection

Civil War Collection | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 11, 2001)
• Original Release Date: June 26, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gourd Music
• ASIN: B000005C28
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,231 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Dirty Linen

...to be heard over a dance crowd... intrinsic to the music of the day... [played] with style and enthusiasm.

Product Description

A superb quartet featuring Jim Taylor and friends on hammered dulcimer, fiddle, banjo and guitar, playing music for square dances, hoe-downs, and minstrel shows; for sitting around the campfire or socializing in the parlor ... With fascinating liner notes telling the story of each tune, this album offers 70+ minutes of music (including Gary Owen, Haste to the Wedding, Arkansas Traveler, Seneca Square Dance, Booth Shot Lincoln) -- a rare treat for lovers of string band music and a treasure trove for students of the War Between the States. The Civil War Collection is a co-production of Gourd Music and Pearl Mae Music.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Civil War Collection, January 2, 2001

By 

Linda Wolf (Lake Forest, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Civil War Collection (Audio CD)

This is one of the BEST collections of traditional American instrumental music available! This CD has been played repeatedly and I never tire of it. Jim Taylor and company are gifted, spirited musicians. Arrangements of even the most familiar tunes are fresh and exciting while remaining true to the originals. Fans of Tony Elman, Acorn Music (Shakin' Down the Acorns, Swinging on a Gate), will LOVE this double CD. EVERY track is a treasure!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN AUTHENTIC SLICE OF HISTORY... AND GREAT DRIVING MUSIC, November 6, 2002

By 

J. C. Bailey (East Sussex United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Civil War Collection (Audio CD)

This is that sublime rarity, a collection of authentic ancient music on period instruments that stands on its own two feet as good listening music.

It was bought for me by our host in Virginia when we went to Richmond and visited the historic Tredegar Iron Works (and if that name doesn't stir your heart with some kind of American pride - whether you're a Billy Yank or a Johnny Reb - then you need to go back to your history books on the double). It's the perfect sonic accompaniment to Civil War history.

I'd never have gone out and bought a CD like that myself, because my experience of heritage recordings hasn't been too good. But when I listened to it in the car on the way home I was knocked out, and it's now our family's favourite driving music.

To transcend the cultural gap over around a hundred and forty years in this way calls for astonishing musical and production gifts. And if you've been getting into 'NewGrass' it would be particularly worth your while listening to this.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent old-timey pickin' and hammerin', December 20, 2002

By 

Michael (Placerville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Civil War Collection (Audio CD)

It is so rare these days to here a male style hammer dulcimer player, such as Jim Taylor, that is playing with synchopation and a driving rhythm. I suppose that is politically incorrect to say these days. However, this style of dulcimer playing is very different than the harp like exquisite Celtic tunes of a Maggie Sansone. This is one of the few CD's out there that has this rare, near extinct art form. Dulcimers could be backpacked or horse hauled into remote areas, whereas pianos were the luxury of the monied class. While they had their pianos, linens, polished silverware and servants, the people that had the guts to fight the civil war on both sides or be a pioneer in the old west had their music. The only thing that is missing is friends, fellow soliders or family gathered around a camp fire or woodstove. There is also excellent banjo provided by Sheila Adams ( yes, a female banjo player ) and fiddle provided by Bruce Greene. Sheila is providing here a smooth finger style lead and counterpoint banjo. Bruce is using the flatter faced fiddle to its best advantage for its double notes and slides. This provides voice like expressiveness. Several songs have a dulcimer, banjo, fiddle shared lead. The songs themselves are timeless and you keep humming or whistling them long after listening. It is more than just historic value here. If re-issued as simply old time blue grass, it may be closer to the truth and accessible to a wider audience that may still be traumatized by their high school history class. My wish list for future albums is to please include Bodhran ( Irish Drum ), spoons and bones, and/or Octave Mandolin. The Mandolin is a perfect complement to dulcimer.