Customer Reviews

In High Cotton: Favorite Camp Songs of the Civil War

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Too often, musical groups that play a traditional genre grow stale after a few years. The 2nd South Carolina String Band, however, continues to raise the bar for the minstrel style with its latest and best CD, "In High Cotton," which I recommend wholeheartedly. Whether you are a long time fan of traditional camp music or a newcomer seeking to learn, this is the recording to purchase and enjoy.

I happen to own all of the 2nd south's music, and this may be there best effort yet, strong words considering how good there other cd's are. wether you enjoy listening to civil war period music as I do, or you just want to hear what music was like back in the 1860's, this cd has a great selection of songs played by very talented musicians who seem to have gone back in time and captured the feeling of the nation in song .

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My only problem with this CD is I can not decide which track I enjoy the most. One day it will be "Blue Tail Fly" (Who knew it origially sounded like this?) The next day it will be "Angelina Baker/Angline the Baker". Then "Lemuel" or "Rosin the Beau" will catch my ear. I wish I had this difficulty with all the CDs I purchase. I am very pleased to have discovered this music and I highly recomend this CD to all.

These gentlemen are not just fine musicians but Civil War re-enactors. (A number of them even residing in Gettysburg!) They have made great efforts to research and recreate this wonderful music in the authentic style of the period. Their instrumentation and vocalization is fabulous. I have had the pleasure of seeing and hearing them in person on several occasions and they truly enjoy what they are doing and put on a great show! It is apparent in this CD that this is a labor of love and not work. You will listen to this collection over and over again.

This was my first purchase of a 2nd SC cd, and it did not disappoint. The talent displayed throughout transports you back to the 1860s.

The songs are authentic, and although the music is 'archaic' compared
today's tunes, it is set in a tone that brings you back in time to
a historical point which gives one an idea of the consciousness of
that generation.

Have you ever heard Burl Ives sing "Blue Tailed Fly?" My, my, my, are you in for a rude awakening if you hear the 2nd North Carolina String Band do their rendition. Some people may be offended that a musical group would be politically incorrect and sing "Negro Minstrel" era songs. If we do then we will have to erase all of Stephen Foster's tunes from our music archives and collective memory. With him will go "Hard Times Come Again No More" and many American classics. The 2nd South Carolina has the fortitude and talent to make these songs come alive. They define American Civil War era music. No one comes close.

Being an enthusiast of History of the Period prior to and during the War Between the States, and the earlier periods of this great Nation, I find this wonderfully presented and well worth dancing to. Not to mention just wonderful listening music anytime. Excellant traveling music and leisure listening.