Customer Reviews

Remembrance

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I hardly know how to express how I felt the first time I heard this CD and the beautiful voice of John McDermott. He sings sraight from the heart. When you listen to him it is almost as if the things that happened to our servicemen in those wars actually happened to him, that is how much feeling he puts into them. Thank you John for sharing the songs and your beautiful voice with the world.

I have the "If Ye Break Faith" (i.e. Canadian) version of this CD which swaps out "America the Beautiful" for "A Scottish Soldier". Although I'm probably missing a beautiful rendering of what probably should be our national anthem, I thoroughly enjoy "A Scottish Soldier". In fact, it's my favorite song on a CD filled with some really great stuff. I would never have believed that I could like the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" after being forced to sing it so often in school (I remember the alternative words we used to sing surreptitiously), but it is done so well that I have gained a new appreciation for it. "The Wall" alone is worth the price of this CD. It will make you sit down and reflect for a while on all that we've been through since we found out where a place called Vietnam was. "Christmas in the Trenches" is the true story of a remarkable event in WWI and this version will make you feel as if you were there. Anyone who has heard John McDermott before knows that he has an increadible voice and a talent for turning the most simple song into a beautiful piece of music. This CD is a perfect example - just buy it.

The heart that is not melted while listening to the pathos of this music is harder than the granite of "The Wall" (sung in memorial for the Vietnam vets). As a history teacher, I use this album to enrich my students. As an American, I enjoy the tributes to heroes. As a music-lover, I say keep giving us more, John. "Lilli Marlene," "Christmas in the Trenches," "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" portray facets of the World Wars. John's intimate style and soft accent only emphasize the emotion of these pieces.

John McDermott has come up with aan album of really timeless songs. Although the album is a "commemorative" of "war songs" the celebration is definitely about people and their love for each other and their country. I especially liked the second half of the album with "Shenandoah" and the other civil war era songs. John McDermott certainly has a good ear for what type of music will suit his voice.My only complaint is that the first instrumental sequence wasn't listed as an instrumental on the CD.

If like me you are a folk music fan there is a hidden treat on this CD, "Shenandoah." I've heard a lot of artists sing this but Mr. McDermott is the best. Many songs on this CD can be found on the Danny Boy CD. It's still a must have. Some of his best work is on this CD. My father sang "I'll be seeing you" and "We'll Meet Again" so I found those songs very emotional. Any song on the CD is worth the price of the whole. I believe "Shanandoah" is the jewell. It's a great collection of music.

The beautiful Irish tenor voice of John McDermott shines in a magnificent tribute to those who have fought for our blessed freedom. McDermott offers heart-touching renditions of classic wartime songs in arrangements that resonate with musical references to other themes. From the military band introduction of the Service Hymns to the final prayerful America the Beautiful, the CD is a well conceived and moving presentations. WE REMEMBER.

This is the best album or cd I've ever gotten for quantity and quality of songs. But there are three above all" "The Wall", a searing memory of the Vietnam War; "Ashokan Farewell", one of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard and, despite its being used for background in the PBS Civil War series, written in 1983/4 by Jay Ungar; and the BIG ONE--"One Small Star" by Eric Bogle of Australia, who has two other fine ones on this cd. "Star" is one of the finest examples of how music can heal those grieving for lost ones and I've been trying very hard to get it played in NYC and DC. I bought a copy for the husband of Sandy Bradshaw who was an attendant on Flight 93 which she and those brave passengers took down over Pennsylvania to prevent the hijackers from flying into a target in DC. He lives here in Greensboro. If you agree with the last part of this, please join me in getting it heard far and near.

I was introduced to this album by my friend, Patrick Torrell, who plays it religiously every day and night! The orchestra that accompanies the wonderful singing voice of John McDermott creates music that makes us want to get up to dance, as service men did in the canteens during the wars that we remember through the songs.

I bought this CD because I heard "One Small Star" on the radio and was enchanted and touched by the voice and the song. Now I cannot stop playing the CD! "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is so powerful, I listen to it over and over. "The Green Fields of France", "Christmas in the Trenches", and "The Wall" bring tears to my eyes each time I hear them. I have already ordered more of John McDermott's music and the DVD of "A Time To Remember". Sentimemtal stuff? You bet, and every American with any patriotism in his heart should buy and listen to this great work.

MCDERMOTT CONTINUES TO PLUMB OUR FEELINGS LIKE FEW OTHERS CAN, PUTTING US IN THE MIDDLE OF NO-MAN'S LAND TO REMEMBER IN A PLANTIVE SONG AN ACTUAL INCIDENT OF A SHARED CHRISTMAS BETWEEN TWO WWI ENEMIES ,WHO WILL LATER IN THE WEEK ATTEMPT TO KILL ONE ANOTHER. MY WIFE CRIED; AS ONE ALMOST DOES WHEN THE AUSSIE RETURNS HOME FROM GALOPI WITH NO LEGS TO WALTZ WITH MATILDA.

JOHN DEFIED COMMERCIALISM TO ISSUE THIS ALBUM TO SALUTE THOSE WHO FOUGHT AND DIED FOR A CAUSE; AS A MARINE PURPLE HEART VETERAN OF KOREA, I RETURN THE SALUTE. EVERY PATRIOTIC PERSON SHOULD OWN ONE.