Customer Reviews

Music for Abraham Lincoln: Campaign Songs, Civil War Tunes, Laments for a President

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This is a wonderful, well documented collection of campaign songs ("Honest Old Abe", "Vote for Abraham"), Civil War tunes ("Dixie and "Battle Cry of Freedom" medley), and Laments for a Presdient ("Funeral March to the Memory of Abraham Lincoln", "Rest, Noble Chieftain") featuring a talented group of musicians: Anne Enslow (hammered dulcimer, piano, soprano vocals),Ridley Enslow (violin, tenor vocals), Jacqueline Schwab (piano), Linda Russell (mountain dulcimer, alto vocals), John Kirk (violin. banjo, tenor vocals), Margery Cohen (soprano vocals), Christa Patton (flute, harp, alto vocals), Abby Newton (cello), Dan Berggren (bass vocals), Mark Dunn (bass).

Among the selections I especially liked were the opening and closing song, "Washington and Lincoln" by Henry Clay Work; the popular 1860 campaign song, "Lincoln and Liberty"; the instrumental "Lincoln Quadrille: Polka Mazurka"; and most especially "Farewell Father, Friend and Guardian," (words: L.M. Dean/ music: George F. Root), sung at Lincoln's funeral in Chicago and Springfield, Illinois and one of the most poignant songs ever written for a fallen U.S. President. Though most of the selections are vocal there are also some fine instrumentals by Jacqueline Schwab, the pianist featured on many Ken Burns series on PBS, and other musicians in this group. The accompanying booklet includes helpful notes for each title and full texts of the songs.

Unlike some CDs of Lincoln's time or the Civil War era which are overally arranged and provide little background on the songs, this one presents the music in straightforward, highly enjoyable performances. If you're looking for a good collection of less familiar music from Lincoln's time, this is the CD to get.

Music for Abraham Lincoln: Campaign Songs, Civil War Tunes,Laments for a President is a terrific cd. Wonderful songs and music. Anyone interested in Abraham Lincoln will cherish this music.