Early American Roots

Hesperus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 18, 1997)
• Original Release Date: April 22, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Maggie's Music
• ASIN: B000003JMJ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,127 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #20 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > International Folk
  • #52 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > Traditional Folk

Editorial Reviews

Washington Post, April, 1997

Digging Hesperus's 'American Roots'...a nimble balancing of fidelity and freedom that makes this musical history tour is consistently appealing.

Product Description

Spirited new sounds from early Colonial America - from the arrival of the first colonists to the American Revolution and the birth of our republic. Performing on recorders, Baroque violin, viola da gamba, flageolet, hammered dulcimer, cittern and Baroque guitar, the musicians perform high energy improvisations, lively country dance tunes, elegant French cotillions and early American shape-note hymns. Selections from this recording was chosen and is on the soundtrack to the Hollywood blockbuster Tim Burton's Paramont film Sleepy Hollow featuring Johnny Depp!Set in 1799, "Sleepy Hollow" is based on Washington Irving’s classic tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Faithful to the dreamy custom-bound world that Irving paints in his story, the film mixes horror, fantasy and romance and features an extraordinary cast of characters that dabble in the supernatural and the Hesperus music fits perfect!

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, March 3, 2004

By 

Catherine S. Todd (Oxford NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early American Roots (Audio CD)

I first heard this CD when I visited Monticello recently (the home of Thomas Jefferson) where they were playing the songs in the gift shop. Imagine my dismay to find that only one cassette tape was left of the fabulous music of Hesperus; however, that tape held me spell-bound all the way home, from Virginia to North Carolina.

It was an incredible journey from the past that has stayed with me since, and every day I drive that one hour back and forth to work. This music has changed everything about the trips, and I can't wait for more.

Thanks to Amazon.com I was able to buy all three CD's, including the incredible "Celtic Roots" that has the most beautiful violas imaginable.

Thank you Hesperus! Please play more!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great old music, July 19, 2005

By 

J. T. Kirkland "leeward" (Savannah, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early American Roots (Audio CD)

A good preview of what would become bluegrass in the US. This collection is a sure-fire way to commune with those who have come before. Hearing the uncommon instruments adds to the effect. Well done on all counts.

5.0 out of 5 stars great, July 13, 2011

By 

Nancy E. Turner "[e-mail]" (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Early American Roots (MP3 Download)

Hesperus strikes gold again. Authentic sounds, well played by masters of their instruments. Thank you so much for the inspiring background of Colonial tunes while I work!