Customer Reviews

Music of the American Revolution: The Birth of Liberty

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We will never know exactly how these songs sounded when the citizens of Boston were darting black looks to the British regulars on the streets, but I would wager quite a bit that these renditions come pretty close. Of course the "American" accents are an anachronism; but most listeners might be puzzled to hear British accents used for these anti-British songs (with one exception, composed by a British regular!)I have already used selections from this CD to a groups of 3rd and 5th graders and they loved it. So teachers, take note, but be sure they have the words in front of them. A very valuable educational tool that also happens to be a very enjoyable program to hear for its own sake. And as with most New World releases, the annotations alone are worth the price of the product.

The music that was composed and performed during the American Revolution is presented on this 1 hour CD. Since I was a child, I've enjoyed hearing the drum and fife corps on the Fourth of July and during the Presidential inaugurations, and this CD has several good drum and fife marches. Other selections are 18th century protest songs about taxation ("A taxing we will go...} and British tyranny. There are also some good harpsichord numbers contained on this CD. The musicians are excellent and the sound is clear. I don't know how many common people got to hear music like this during the Revolution, but at least this CD gives the 21st Century listener the opportunity enjoy the "popular" music of 200 years ago. Classical music lovers will enjoy this CD too.

I fell in love with this CD from the first track.The music of the American Fife Ensamble is stirring, I felt positivly rebelious. The satarical songs based on the tunes "British Grenadires" and "Hearts of Oak" are like the paintings of W. Hogarth set to music. You should have more than a cursory knowledge of the 18th century though, to fully enjoy this CD

The Good News; The music in the reels, marches and ftc. are great. The harpsichord is wonderful.
The bad news; The singers have opera quality voices and they're much too polished for the Revolutionary era. The common soldier and people would have been the ones who would have sung these song.

Technically a very clean album. It has a good selection of tunes, particularly for the history buff, however some of the polished choral pieces sound funny when you think that most of them are essentially folk tunes that should be sung with a somewhat less practiced air. Overall, worth the purchase for historical value and good production.

A great collection of music from 18th century America.

If you enjoy fifes and drums, choral compositions, patriotic songs, and uplifting music from the birth of America, please get this CD.

A perfect selection for a patriotic American to play, especially on the 4th of July.