Customer Reviews

The Irish Volunteer: Songs Of The Irish Union Soldier 1861-1865

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If you love great Irish music or are interested in the history of the Civil War you are sure to enjoy this CD! I had the good fortune to see David Kincaid perform most of the songs on this CD recently and was immediately captivated by this unique and wonderful music. The melodies and musical style will be instantly familiar with anyone familiar with Celtic music. All but one of the songs on the CD are based on authentic songs that were played by the famous Irish Brigade of the Civil War. The terrific liner notes explain the context of each song and how it relates to not only the Civil War, but the Irish immigrant experience of the 19th century as well. After meeting Mr. Kincaid, it was clear that this disc was a labor of love and it shines through in the high production quality of this CD. I haven't been able to stop listening to it since I got it and I doubt you will either.

Picture yourself trapped in a Civil War art gallery/frame shop for eight to ten hours a day, five to six days a week...ok, a dream come true to those of us who love the Civil War. What else goes with the ambiance of a fine gallery aside from art work and books about the War Between the States? Period music! Great, right? Most of the time, yes! However, our CD player only handles five discs, so I get to hear said CDs over and over and...well, you get the point. David Kincaid's The Irish Volunteer is one of the BEST Civil War CD's I have ever heard. From humorous to heart wrenching, he covers all the bases with excellent background instruments which compliment, not deter, from a voice that would be successful applied to any musical genre'. His heart and soul comes through this endevour, and it shines! In regard to his music, the two most frequently asked questions I hear are: "where can I get this" and (from all our Rebel friends) "When is he going to do another one...for US?" The CD and tape are money well spent, for enjoyment that will last until it wears out! (The one things that David Kincaid won't wear out is his welcome, EVER!)

His selection of songs was excellent, and his treatment of the material even better. An album you will listen to again and again. Do yourself a favor, buy it!

David Kincaid has brought some of the best Irish musicians in America together to make an absolutely brilliant disc. His use of traditional tunes with equally traditional lyrics is phenomenal and the quality of the playing is everything one would expect from the caliber of the musicians. This is a CD that makes me proud to be an Irish-American.

Those who have studied the American Civil War or Irish American history know the tremendous contribution that the Irish made to that unfortunate conflict. Waves of immigrants where coming to America's shores from Ireland every day, and many of these were recruited to fight for the Union directly off of the ships. They often fought in units composed entirely of their country men, like the 37th New York "Irish Rifles", the "Irish 9th" Massachusetts, the 69th Pennsylvania, or General Meagher's famous "Irish Brigade, made up of the 63rd, 69th, and 88th New York Volunteers.
These men had their own music; propaganda recruitment songs, songs linking the Union cause with their own fight for liberty back home in Erin, and songs warning others to avoid coming and joining in a vicious fight that was not their own. Most of these songs disappeared after the war, never entering into America's folk music tradition as other Civil War songs did. But David Kincaid searched through old collections in museums and libraries, and rediscovered many of these rousing songs of the Irish Civil War soldiers. He then combined the lyrics he found with traditional Irish tunes (all but one of the songs he discovered lacked musical notation), and here performs them with rousing traditional Irish instrumentation. The result is a stunning success.
This is great Irish music, performed authentically with pipes, whistle, bodhran, fiddle, and mandolin. There are lilting, catchy songs like `The Opinions of Paddy Magee', `The List of Generals', and the title track `The Irish Volunteer'. Then there are more somber and mournful ones, such as `Paddy's Lamentation', `Pat Murphy of Meagher's Brigade', and `Free and Green' (the only new song, written for this project). All the elements that make for great Irish music are here.
As Civil War music, this CD is invaluable. Almost all the songs included on `The Irish Volunteer' are authentic Civil War songs that had disappeared from the historical record and are revived here. Not only do they brilliantly illustrate a particular aspect of Civil War history, but they are fine, rousing songs in their own right. No collection of Civil War music should be without it.
I have had this CD for years, and it has never fallen out of my regular playing rotation. If you have any interest in Irish music or the American Civil War, `The Irish Volunteer' is a "can't miss" purchase.

Theo Logos

This is the grandest CD I have bought in a long time. In our time of internal strife in america, remembering the past changes your perspective. This CD does that. Mr. Kincaid has brought the best together on one cd for all of us.

In his cd, David plays all those instruments so nicely but the best instrument he has is that fantastic voice he's got and the passionate way of singing those songs that speaks to your heart. i got the cd from himself 2 days ago because i know him from the classes i took and i thought it would be very interesting and i would like it for sure. but boy was i wrong. i mean, i knew it was gonna be very good since ive seen the way he plays mandolin so, so good, but i had no idea. i dont just like it. i absolutely love it...these songs grabbes you by heart. booklet tells you story about the each songs which is also very nice. it's got uilleann pipe by jerry o'sullivan and john whelan for accroding, too!!

David Kincaid's distinctive voice works well in music of the Irish American Civil War soldier. The songs on this CD bring home that experience. Listeners lament for a lost comrade or loved one, cheer the exploits of heroes such as Corcoran or Meagher, and laugh at the antics of Paddy Magee. A must have for any Civil War buff.

I am a historical reenactor and thought this was a great CD. I turned all my friends onto it alot of whom dont reenact and they loved it. I cant wait for a second CD.

David Kincaid is a master. Simply put. I was introduced to his music over 10 years ago. This is a replacement copy -- I virtually wore out my first!! The music is period-correct. The lyrics are period-correct. Kincaid's voice is perfect for the project. Using period instruments, Kincaid and his band of merry music makers transform 1.5 centuries old music into something contemporary. And they do it flawlessly. At the ripe old ages of 8 and 6, my son and daughter had already memorized all the tracks on this disc. We had the privilege of meeting Kincaid and his mates at the Savannah Irish Festival in 1999. He was genuinely surprised to find my entire family singing every word of every song they performed. Of course, we spoke at length after the performance and collected autographs, but the speaking was the highlight. Kincaid is not just a musician. He is a dedicated Cvil War re-enactor, so he has roots in what he does. He not only sings it; he lives it. Anything David Kincaid puts out is more than worth whatever price you pay. In the liner notes are not only lyrics, but histories of units, people and the music. This is a wonderful trip back in time that conjures images not so much of the fighting, but of the people and the lives impacted by the "Late Unpleasantness." Of course there is the history within the songs, such as references to the Battle of Vinegar Hill and Manassas : "On the 21st of July beneath a burning sun, McDowell met the Southern troops at the Battle of Bull Run..." Life is breathed into history with an Irish lilt and a tapping brogan. Here's to the art and music of David Kincaid! I hope we meet again, either at the Irish Festival or on the battlefield. We'll share a cup and sing some songs; and we'll celebrate our ancestors who fought and died to give us the privilege.