Customer Reviews

Song of America

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While I'm not generally a fan of "patriotic" music, the idea behind the CD, and its compilers, were interesting enough that I felt honor-bound to listen to it. However, that obligatory once-over soon transformed into surprised appreciation. The various musicians have brought this music back to life. I'd seen some of these songs as mere jingoistic relics, their relevance gone, their emotions hokey; they seemed appropriate fare only for military bands on July 4th. Yet these new covers, taken together, are powerful and moving. I feel as though I'm listening to some of these familiar pieces for the very first time. The politics of the piece are not as simplistic as one might expect, and that impressed me. For example, the Civil War song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" is represented by the Irish anti-war song with the same melody, "Johnny I Hardly Knew Thee" (experts disagree over which version inspired the other), and that might seem to suggest a liberal political bent. Yet the same CD offers an incredibly wistful version of "Dixie's Land." And that points to the real magic of this CD collection: it provides us with a musical snapshot of the hopes, dreams, and fears of many communities of Americans, then and now, workers and soldiers and farmers, immigrants and native peoples, women and men, sometimes despairing and sometimes confident, throughout the major events that have shaped our history. Not in the mood for a history lesson? Then just let yourself enjoy the gorgeous music.

Simply stated, this is a collection of music that needs to be heard by anyone who considers themselves an "American", who loves the music of our great country, and especially if like me is part of the "baby boom generation" who grew up learning many of these songs in elementry school music classes. This is an amazing concept cd that takes notable events of American history and puts them into song.

To most a quick look at the song listing would draw little more than a yawn and a quick click of the back button on their internet explorer. But this collection of music deserves to be listened to.

The collection is divided up into various periods of American song, 1492 - 1860, 1861-1945, and 1946 to present. The 50 songs in the collection are performed by current day artist/ musicians taking each song and making it their own while remaining true to the original.

There is no mistaking songs like "Yankee Doodle", "God Save the King" (aka "My Country tis of Thee"), "John Brown's Body" to a terrific version of Joanna Smith doing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" all the way up to current songs such as Springsteen's "Youngstown" to a killer performance of Bettye Lavette doing "Streets of Philadelphia", this collection will keep you busy for weeks discovering all of the wonderful songs that make up the real "Great American Songbook"

I believe 5 stars should be reserved only for a couple of truely great cds each year, and this is definately 5 star material. One of the best of this year - kudos to Ed Petterson for "sticking to the plan" pulling all of this wonderful music together despite all the setbacks and for Janet Reno (yes, that Janet Reno) for helping make a thought into a reality.

If you love diverse music, history, patriotism, and yes nostalgia, BUY THIS CD - you will not be disapointed.

What a treasure for both music lovers and history buffs! I have thouroughly enjoyed the cds. I hope that they will also be used as teaching tools in our nation's history (and music) classrooms. Kudos! What a wonderful gift this music is to our country.

This album is great for 2 major reasons: The first is the concept. The idea that music can tell a story is old news, but the idea that music can tell a whole history is truly monumental. This album manages to convey the important sentiments of American History through song, which brings me to my next reason. These songs are particularly well done. The tracks sung by Andrew Bird and Martha Wainwright are beautiful, understated and poignant, and there are some little-known artists that I heard first on this album that I have gone on to further explore and love.

This album is a must-have for history-lovers, appreciators of Americana music, or just anyone who is looking to sit down to a few hours of high-quality modern versions of familiar songs...

This is a very interesting mix of styles and artists, all contributing to an innovative collection....an amazing idea, with a nice updated twist.

Great collection of music for anyone. I listen to it at home and have used it in my classroom as a teaching tool. Great stuff.

Loving the Danielson's freak folk cover of Happy Days Are Here Again!
And the Bettye LaVette cover of Streets of Philadelphia is also a must hear.

"Song of America" is a 3-disk compilation of 50 songs developed by former US Attorney General, Janet Reno, and her in-law, music producer, Ed Pettersen. Their goal was to document this country's story in song. The songs are done by contemporary artists with contemporary arrangements on themes that are timeless.

The music covers three broad periods of US history:

Disk 1: 1492 - 1860 (Red Disk)
Disk 2: 1861 - 1945 (White Disk)
Disk 3: 1946 to present (Blue Disk)

"Song of America" is a novel concept and considering the education system's attempts at teaching history to students, why not reach out via music? I don't know if the disks would work in today's classroom, but one of my best (non-coach) history teachers in high school played musical collections as part of our lectures.

There are many standouts in this collection. I'm only mentioning a few:

"The Great Atomic Power" Elizabeth Cook and the Grascals is a lively gospel return to the Fifties and Sixties when many contemplated their own personal bomb shelters and the atomic symbol inspired fear and wonder in our hearts.

"Over There" Jen Chapin (Harry Chapin's daughter) has the ability to tell stories with her voice just like her Dad did--and the spare arrangement really tells what's happening 'over there.'

"Johnny, I hardly knew ye" Janis Ian's fluting voice on this old standard will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

"Streets of Philadelphia" Bettye LaVette may be one of the few people who can cover a Springsteen song and almost make me forget who wrote it in the first place.

"The Farmer is the Man who Feeds them All" by Otis Brown will break your heart.

R. Kyle, April 2008

It's totally new dimension of listening to music and learning the history of America. Music reflects the social condition of it's times, when the music is coupled with the brief historic write ups that comes with the CD's, it enables the listeners to capture a brief reflection of the history and events that shaped by that period of times. This is a history collector's music CD set.

I had heard about this project and wanted to give a listen. I am so thrilled that Amazon offered it as one of their $5 mp3 downloads this month.

All of the songs are presented in a new and refreshing way. The mood of the collection encourages the best about America, such as compassion and generosity, without chest any thumping.