Customer Reviews

Confederate Tales: White Mansions & Jesse James

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Very often, the best music of any genre is produced by outsiders who are impressed with the purity of sound and seek to replicate and pay homage to that genre. Such is the case with Confederate Tales. Both original ablums, White Mansions and Jesse James, were written and produced by Paul Kennerly, a Briton a long way from Nashville. His compositions however are more country than what Nashville has produced since these ablums came out. His songs weave tales from history, amplifying the anguish and destruction of the War Between the States from the Southern perspective, and reminiscing the romance of the outlaw James Gang.

Guesting on these recordings were Nashville heavyweights, like Cash, Waylon Jennings, Emmylou Harris, and some non-Nashville rockers like Clapton and Levon Helm of the Band. Each puts in an absolutely astounding performance. Listening to Jesse James, in particular, is far more enjoyable than watching the movie Frank and Jesse.

Highly recommended to history buffs, country music fans, and fans of the individual performers.

Paul Kennerly wrote two country music "concept albums" that were released in the late seventies on A & M records. "White Mansions" was a song cycle about the Civil War "narrated" in song by Waylon Jennings with a cast of characters that included Jesse Colter and Bernie Leadon of the Eagles and some guy called Eric Clapton on guitar. A fine pedigree indeed, but I like "The Legend of Jesse James" much better. Released around '79 or '80, this took the White Mansions modus operendi to the Jesse James legend, with Levon Helm of the Band as Jesse James, Emmylou Harris as Jesse's wife Zerelda, Johnny Cash as Frank James and Charlie Daniels as the James boys associate Cole Younger. The songs are all excellent and the slide guitar work of Charlie Daniels and Jesse Ed Davis is exceptional. I have to say that I've been waiting for this particular album since the CD format was introduced years ago. Too bad you can't buy them seperately.

This is short, sweet and to the point!!! I've been looking for the "Legend" for years, ever since the original copy my dad had dissapeared. This album is the greatest! The characters come to life and the musicianship of these fantastic performers is 2nd to none! GET IT!!!!!!

I accidentally ran into the cassette version of "The Story of Jesse James" probably shortly after the cassette was released. My 35 year old daughter remembers well hearing it played over and over again, when she was a child. Naturally, the tape finally wore out and I had no idea where to find another copy. I felt an unbelievable sense of loss because of this for many years, until I recently decided to search "Jesse" on Amazon.com, hoping to find that it had been re-released as a CD.

When I found that "White Mansions", which I had never even heard of before, had been combined into a double CD set with "Jesse", I was ecstatic and I immediately ordered two copies of the set, one for my car and one for my house. I found that I had to immerse myself in hearing "Jesse", until my "thirst" for it had been satisfied, before I could bring myself to listen seriously to "White Mansions". However, the Civil War/the War Between the States/the War of Northern Aggression/the Late Unpleasantness, as it is variously called, has always extremely interested me and filled me with great sadness, especially since most people today do not understand the complexities of the war, its many heart-breaking aspects, and how lasting its influence has been on our country.

These song cycles are replete with superb music and equally superb singers whose voices fit the characters who tell the story of the Civil War from the Southern white point of view in "White Mansions" and the story of Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang in "The Story of Jesse James". These song cycles are most highly recommended by me, however, not only because of their superb music and vocalists, but also because they are historically so accurate. I am a history buff and I know Civil War history and the lives and activities of the James brothers and the Younger brothers very well. My only bone to pick with the cycles is the song "High Walls" on "Jesse". Although I enjoy the song greatly, I personally do not believe that Jesse James ever was so self-pitying, although he probably did regret the path that he had chosen, after he had matured and had become a loving husband and father who had decided to settle down on a farm with his family.

I most highly recommend this set to anyone who appreciates the best in country music, to anyone who is interested in the Civil War, especially those who are interested in the different points of view of its Southern caucasian socio-economic groups, and/or to those who are interested in the war's resulting production of some of our nation's most notorious outlaws. I am now also so emotionally involved in "White Mansions", as well as in "Jesse", that today, I literally burst out with a loud exclamation concerning what had just been sung in one of its songs, while I was driving my car, startling my friend who was riding with me and embarrassing myself!

I bought "The legend of Jesse James" vinyl LP in 1980 when I was 17 and was immediately struck by the solid writing, emotional narrative and excellent musicianship found on this concept album. I remember "One more shot" got some airplay on country radio stations at the time, but without the rest of the album to provide the appropriate context, the single didn't have much impact. One listen to the entire album, and it's hard not to be impressed by this collection of country/folk/rock jewels.

This 2-CD set was my first introduction to "White Mansions", Paul Kennerley's original Southern Americana musical history lesson. This album is as well produced and the song writing as strong as on "Jesse James". However, this collection is not as emotionally engaging as the tracks on "Jesse James". The performances are all first rate and Waylon Jennings' vocals on this album are perhaps his best ever and proves that he was at his peak in the late 1970s!

Anyone that listens to this compilation of two great country concept albums will become instant fans. I sincerely hope more people will find this secret treasure.

Both CDs are examples of musical storytelling and imagery at their best. Wonderfully diverse talent, great tunes and lyrics, and a faithful representation of history. White Mansions in particular represents just how strongly the feelings remain about a war that took place nearly 150 years ago in which 620,000 Americans died, more than in all other wars combined. I never grow tired of either CDs, and have ordered additional copies as back-ups.

I first heard cuts from The Legend of Jesse James on an airline in December of 1981, checked the information magazine to find out what I was listening to and bought the album within a week. I am also fortunate enough to have the White Mansions album and later bought the CD combo. Reason; I marveled at Paul Kennerly's writing and production skills. I still love to listen to both of these over 20 years later. And, I've made it a point to purchase any album/CD where Kennerly is listed as a writer of any song. From ex-wife Emmylou Harris, to Waylon Jennings, to Tanya Tucker, to The Everly Brothers and many more, I have loved every one. But, Mansions and James stand out as they are pure Kennerly throughout. These are masterpieces for the country fan. Don't disappoint yourselves; buy the masterpieces!

Amazing to have these two seminal disks issued on CD -- thought the time would never come. I was a fan of "The Legend of Jesse James" for 20 years, and this was my introduction to "White Mansions," which is just wonderful too.

The story of how these albums were written is almost as remarkable as the music itself. A British guy who had never been to the U.S. and never written music before, who became obsessed with country music and wrote and recorded demos in his basement...

Its February 2002 and I was just crusin' Amazon and typed in White Mansions on a "wing and prayer" and lo and behold its been available for a while. If you like rockin' country and western you won't find any better than these here. Songs are great--instrumentation fabulous--good dramatic story line. Waylon Jennings' numbers are alone worth the price of admission. I have multiple copies of both on vinyl (along with The Legend of Sally Rose by Emmy Lou--also a Kennerly effort) but a CD?--never thought I'd see it. Very very good music.

I have been listening to these two releases since I first discovered them sometime in the 70's White Mansions is great. From White Trash, to Confederate Mare, to the one about sending up supplies and the answer comes back, " they're all dead". This music makes a music video in your head without the use of film. The wording, timing, and emotions expressed are heartbreaking. It makes you realize the pain of living the life of the southern civil war "heros"

The legend of Jesse James is almost as good. From the song about the killing of the james family, the tales of their live on the run under assumed identities is spellbinding. And the dirty coward that shot down Jesse James should be played in every American History class. I've looked for these two on CD's for twenty years. Finally my listening pleasure is restored

Buy these if you like good musical pictures and story telling. They are incredible pieces of American History put to music