Customer Reviews

Hard Road: Favorite Camp Songs of the Civil War

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Close your eyes while listening to 2nd South Carolina String Band and you can almost imagine yourself transported in time and space - sitting around a campfire in Northern Virginia or East Tennessee circa 1863. Just don't keep them closed for too long, or you might start to taste hardtack! Yeah, the boys of 2nd South Carolina String Band are that authentic. Their song arraignments are simple and straightforward with no professional polish - played much the same way as young farm boys turned soldiers may have once played them to pass the time in camp. They use only period instruments that could pass muster in the strictest historic re-enactor's camp. If authenticity to period is what you desire, then these boys are the best.
That said, I should point out that these guys have something in common with Bob Dylan - their genius does not necessarily lie in their musical skill. Their voices are untrained and their playing, while adequate and enjoyable, is strictly amateur. It is this amateur quality as much as anything that makes their music sounds so authentic, but it does not make for performances that will blow you away with their virtuosity.
The song selection on `Hard Road' is simply outstanding. In addition to standards like Battle Cry of Freedom and When Johnny Comes Marching Home, they have included some rare gems that for some reason are not often included on period collections. My favorites are the humorous song Invalid Corp, a song mocking those who tried to avoid active service and the lively minstrel show song Kingdom Coming. Tenting on the Old Campground and Vacant Chair add a nice mournful note, and The Bonnie Blue Flag and Jine the Calvary nicely evoke Southern patriotic fever and bravado. Throw in a couple of Stephen Foster's most popular songs, Oh Susanna and Camptown Races, and this collection emerges as darn near perfect!
If you want polished and professional performances you should pass on this CD. But if you would like to hear these songs as your great great grandpa may have heard or even played them around a Civil War campfire with his mess mates, then snatch up Hard Road and get to listing.

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This is a great example of how the music sounded during the American Civil War. The vocals are not the strong point but the playing is superb including guitar, fiddle, banjo and percussion (missing is the fife from their next album). The band is composed of re-enactors, so they pay attention to the original arrangements, including the use of tambourine, spoons, bones, harmonica that the common soldier would have used at this time. This is how it would have sounded in a Civil War camp during the 1860s, with over an hour this is sure to please.

There are country and bluegrass artists that occasionally sing and play a tune from the American Civil War era. Sometimes these songs are compiled into a CD. These artists do an okay job. If "okay" is good enough then buy the compilations of these various artists. But, if you want period music from a group of people who live and breath the music of the mid-1800s invest you money on CDs from the 2nd South Carolina String Band. They are simply the best.

To find period music done correctly takes quite a bit of money - either because the sound and style is too contemporary (updated versions of classic tunes for "today's audience") or the lyrics have changed due to political correctness (can't say that, it might offend whatever group). Believe me, I have spent my share of hard earned cash looking for period correct music only to find the above mentioned problems, even at many sutlers.
But when I find a gem such as this collection by the 2nd South Carolina String Band, I feel it's my duty to get the word out.
This is an excellent source of Civil War era music done completely in a traditional style. It doesn't matter if you are a Billy Yank or Johnny Reb, this collection covers both sides of the conflict. Toe tappin' sing-a-long songs will seemingly take the listener back in time with some of the finest tunes this side of the Atlantic. My favorites include Battle Cry of Freedom, Cumberland Gap, Kingdom Coming, and Lorena. But the ethereal fiddling on the Cavalier's Waltz will set you to tears.
Musical historian or Civil War re-enactor - this collection deserves a high spot in your period music collection.

Over the years I have purchased many a fine tape or CD of Civil War music, but nothing can compare with the 2nd South Carolina String Band! "Hard Road" is an excellent example of this band's ability at bringing you back to the days when two great American armies traversed this land and battled one another.
When you listen to "Hard Road" or any other 2nd South Carolina CD, all you'll have to do is just close your eyes and you will swear that in the air you smell the mingling of coffee, tobacco, and bivouac fires! It is absolutely the best in Civil War music! You won't be disappointed.

The 2nd SC String Band captures the true sound of Civil War camp music as it was played back then. I have all 3 of their CDs and listen to them every day.

Just like stepping into a time machine to the mid-19th century,
this group of fine musicians creates the sounds of the Civil War era with a little edge.

"Cumberland Gap" has some great banjo and fiddle licks going on it.

A must for Civil War music fans.

Purchased Hard Road songs of the Civil War just prior to Christmas - rapid delivery. Item was for son, who is highly delighted with the songs and is now looking forward to the next 'camp fire song'

I own several Civil War music collections, and am always in the market for more. I don't know how I missed these guys all those years ago, but I have their first one now and will definitely be purchasing more!

This is the first group that I've heard who actually make me feel like I'm there beside the campfire with them, or listening to them in a music hall. Traditional instruments, believable vocals and lack of studio effects serve to make it more real. I love this album!

This CD is probably the best yet for Civil War music enthusiasts who like their music authentic and earthy. The String Band have managed to capture the essence of music as the soldiers would have heard and played it. I particularly enjoyed the version of 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home', and I defy anybody not to give a 'Rebel Yell' when listening to 'Jine The Cavalry'. I look forward to their next Civil War offering - there are so many great songs just waiting for their special touch!