Customer Reviews

God Bless the U.S.A. - 25 Patriotic Favorites

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This disc contains recordings of patriotic favorites that are otherwise available to the public for free directly from the military. The recordings on this disc were never meant to be commercially distributed - indeed the military is prohibited from doing so and thus gives them away for free. I have spoken with many of the military performers here in DC and they resent that a commercial company is able to sell these otherwise free recodings as a result of a quirk in the law. More importantly, the selections are not recorded in a way that is consistent with professional commercial standards. Other commercial patriotic CDs are much better. Try the Washington Men's Camerata's "Spirit of Freedom" on Gothic or Shaw's "Battle Cry of Freedom" on RCA.

Precise music, beautiful choruses, patriotic songs by military bands. I don't know about you but I'll take this over Rap any day. Of course I live in the heartland and am conservative by nature but I can't help but believe that we have lost something by not appreciating the songs of our past. The music on this album brought to mind all of the sacrifices made by our forebears in their quest to establish and expand our nation. I hope you will enjoy this exceptional rendering of patriotic music as much as I have.

I purchased this CD after the funeral of President Reagan when I heard the superb music put forth by our American military bands. Unfortunately, that quality was not recreated in this collection. I was especially interested in hearing what I perceived as the traditional "military"sound; that is, a chorus of men. Many of the songs on this album had the predominate sound of sopranos. I was reminded more of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir than "singing sergeants". With all respect due to women in the military..God bless every one of them..it just wasn't my idea of a military band. The instrumental songs were solidly good and toe-tapping. I especially loved the version of the Marines Hymn which was arranged so differently from the usual sprightly "Halls of Montezuma". It was in the warm, mellow tones of a traditional hymn. I will happily play this album again and again, but with the known caveat that I will not be hearing an all-male chorus.