Song of America [BOX SET]

Various Artists (Artist), Janet Reno (Artist), Ed Pettersen (Performer), David Macias (Performer), Bob Olhsson (Performer)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Split Rock Records/Thirty One Tigers
• ASIN: B000T3GK8O
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,418 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
On paper, this project appears as improbable as the partnership that conceived it: former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and veteran Nashville indie-punk troubadour Ed Pettersen (who happens to be married to Reno's niece). The history of America through 50 songs, encapsulated on three discs? The first disc alone spanning 1492 to 1860, from the landing of Columbus to the Civil War? An idiosyncratic selection that includes songs familiar to almost all Americans and others familiar to practically none? Rather than a dry, dusty museum piece, the results are compulsively listenable, as producer Pettersen invites a wide range of artists to do what they do best--interpret the material and make it their own. Highlights are many, as the early days of the republic find Harper Simon (Paul's son) rendering "Yankee Doodle" as if it were an indie-rock Viagra commercial; the advent of the Civil War shows Marah, like an American Pogues, bringing a punk ferocity to "John Brown's Body"; and Del McCoury's bluegrass rendition of "The Times They Are A-Changin'" finds an older man renewing a young Bob Dylan's anthem. The sonorous dignity that jazz vocalist Andy Bey brings to the Depression-era panhandler's plea, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," is particularly moving, as is Bettye LaVette's gospel rendition of Bruce Springsteen's AIDS ballad, "Streets of Philadelphia." Revolution, immigration, war, atomic power, civil rights, feminism, faith, depression, and despair--it's all here, in song. --Don McLeese

Product Description
Artists as diverse as John Mellencamp, Blind Boys of Alabama, Martha Wainwright, The Black Crowes and Andrew Bird contribute tracks to SONG OF AMERICA, a unique 50-song, three-CD set envisioned by former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and artist/producer Ed Pettersen, and co-produced by Pettersen, Bob Olhsson and Grammy-winning producer David Macias.

Due out September 18 as a joint venture between Split Rock Records and 31 Tigers (via RED Distribution), the collection tells the history of our country through song, from 1492 through modern times. These new versions of beloved songs interpreted by contemporary artists who span the folk, blues, rock, R&B, country, classical and hip-hop genres offer listeners a way to connect or reconnect with America’s vast musical and cultural heritage.

Janet Reno explains, "I thought that music would be a great way to engage listeners, especially young listeners, and spark their interest so they could gain a greater understanding and appreciation for our history. I am very proud to be associated with this collection of inspired performances."

Reno originally conceived of SONG OF AMERICA with Pettersen, who is also her niece’s husband. After Pettersen further developed the idea, they met with David Macias--who earned a Grammy in the Best Traditional Folk Album category for his co-production work on the critically acclaimed 2004 release Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster--and things began to move forward.

"The seed for the SONG OF AMERICA was planted," explains Reno, "when Ed entertained me with some of his beautiful folk songs, ‘Nowhere to Roam’ describing the fencing in of the ranges and ‘La Tragedia de Heraclio Bernal’ which recast an old Mexican folk tale."

Key tracks include John Mellencamp’s version of Woody Guthrie’s "This Land Is Your Land," Blind Boys of Alabama’s "Let Us Break Bread Together," Bettye LaVette’s transcendent take on Bruce Springsteen’s "Streets Of Philadelphia," the first recording of The Black Crowes’ Robinson brothers singing with their father Stan ("Reuben James"), Martha Wainwright’s updated rendition of "I Am Woman," Andrew Bird’s wistful account of "How You Gonna Keep ‘Em Down On The Farm," Harper Simon’s "Yankee Doodle," and The Del McCoury Band’s soon-to-be-classic take on Bob Dylan’s "The Times, They Are A Changin’."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything old is new again, September 22, 2007

By	germdiva (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

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.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of 2007, September 28, 2007

By	J. Barry (Central Ma. USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! Marvelous!, September 27, 2007

By	S B Young "Staceyjean" (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews

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.