Customer Reviews

Songs of the Civil War

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This music was released in July of 1961, a few months after I was born. My mother, who could give Melanie Wilkes a run for her money in her undying love of The Cause, had _Songs of the South_ and, as soon as I learned to use the record player, I was listening to these awesome songs over and over.

Now that I'm a grownup, I started thinking: I wonder how this album matches up to my recollections. What a treat to find that it was still available, and now on CD! Here's why I give it five stars:

1. Ford's powerful and versatile baritone, which brings the songs, whether tragic, martial or humourous, to life. He is backed by an unobtrusive male chorus which does not distract from the lead singer. I am so sorry that, although Amazon provided a list of the songs, it did not also allow you to hear some of them. One listen and you would want this collection for yourself.

2. The authentic-sounding instrumentation. You are hearing everything from trumpets to fifes to harmonicas to zithers, with lots of fancy drumwork where appropriate. And the arrangements are not trying to be innovative, which, in this case, is a good thing. I am sure that the arrangements are more sophisticated than they would have been in the period, but they are very enjoyable, all the same.

3. You can really sing along to these things! Yep, you just won't be able to help yourself. And the 64-page booklet enclosed will help you out with that. It has all the words and also (in italics) additional verses which TEF does not use. (And, as a Virginian, here's my one big peeve with this recording: in "Bonny Blue Flag," TEF leaves out the Virginia verse!)

4. The 64-page booklet that comes with the CD. Thanks to whoever came up with this! You get the song lyrics (as well as the writers of the words and music) and some helpful background text about the songs. (I enjoyed seeing how many of the tunes were derived from those of earlier folk ballads.) There is also appropriate and interesting period photography scattered throughout the booklet.

To conclude: it's a great album and will afford you much listening pleasure!

I am thrilled that these "War between the States" songs are on a CD. I bought Songs of the South over 30 yrs ago on a 33 1/3 record. I love this album. Glad that Songs of the North were added to this CD.Ole Ernie's recordings still sound good.Civil War fans will love this one.
D.G.

A great testament to the artistry of Ernie Ford as well as a document of the great music from the American Civil War era. Ernie's long-time arranger Jack Fascinato works absolute WONDERS with a small instrumental ensemble, which includes a rousing marching band ("Marching Through Georgia"), banjos, guitars, antiphonal military drums, harmonicas, 3 piccolos for "fifes" ("The Yankee Volunteer"), low clarinets, french horns and tympani to evoke the darkness and intensity of "Virginia's Bloody Soil" (Fascinato creates a "mini-symphonic" soundscape to paint the horrors of war here), and the brilliant combination of mandolin, bass harmonica, guitar, and bass for the gorgeous (and VERY sentimental) ballad "The Vacant Chair", which will surely bring a tear to even the most hardened listener.

What's amazing is the way in which these performances give us a powerful glimpse into our American past, with rousing marches (which were often adaptations of well-known Irish folk tunes), along with songs by the newly-emerging American popular composers, notably George Root.

Ernie is equally at home in every aspect of these performances, whether
it be the grim battle songs, the tender and haunting romantic ballads ("Lorena", "Rebel Soldier", etc), the robust and hearty marches ("The Why and the Wherefore" being particularly enjoyable), or the outright nuttiness of "Goober Peas", "The Valiant Conscript" or either version of "Dixie". Fascinato's first-rate instrumentalists (including a tuba player who can really plop out some massive low notes) and small male chorus made up of some of the finest session singers of the day contribute to the overall excellence of this cd, originally released as 2 separate LPS to coincide with the centennial observance of the Civil War.
Capitol Record's 1961 sonics are stunningly good---in fact, I have often used "Stonewall Jackson's Way" as a demo for testing stereo systems, so dynamic, clean and detailed is the sound. First-Rate stuff.

I borrowed a copy of this album on 33-1/3 over 20 years ago and had a copy of it made on tape. The tape decided to break about five years ago and I was pleased to find out that I could get the album on CD. It is very pleasent to enjoy the songs and Ernie once again.

This CD would rank as one of the best in my extensive collection. The LP's were originally beautifully recorded by Capitol way back in 1961 and the stereo remastering is as good as it gets. Add to this the colourful and informative 64 page booklet containing notes on the recordings and of the civil war, plus the verses of all the songs. On the CD the superb voice of Tennessee Ernie backed by Jack Fascinato's orchestra and arrangements in my opinion could not be bettered by any other artists. The Bear Family have packaged it in a top quality didgipack. Purchase this set with confidence.

We already had the Civil War Songs of the South LP by this guy and reckoned that, with the extra stuff on the CD it was well worth the getting. We were right. My husband, who used to sing a lot if these songs, really enjoyed this Cd, although he didn't sing all of Lorena but, as he says, very few people do!

I grew up listening to this album - my father was a big c-war buff. Great memories - especially the 'empty chair' tune.

A very nice collection of period songs. Each side North and South putting little digs in.

The Tenessee Ernie Ford CD "Sings Songs of the Civil War" is another first class music production.
He is the best of the best. This was one of a number purchased on Amazon and all are good.

I was excited about ordering this item, but after receiving it and trying it out, I found only two selections that suited me. Both "Lorena" and "Rebel Soldier" were presented in sweet strains with Ford's great vocal ability. I also would give "Vacant Chair" a passing report. However, I wish I could have heard a sample of each song before purchasing. I probably would have selected something else by Ford.

The accompanying booklet gave some explanation for my let-down. It indicated that the selections were performed in a time and circumstance that allowed the CD the greatest marketability. Therefore, the musical arrangements may not incorporate the authentic sound that the songs probably deserve.

It's good, but not as good as I expected. And it was pretty expensive.