Songs of the Civil War

Jim Gibson (solo piano) (Performer)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 20, 2001)
• Original Release Date: September 20, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hickory Cove Music
• ASIN: B00005QJ27
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #332,989 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
Jim Gibson is a prominent part of Atlanta's music scene, and has played thousands of commercial-music engagements over the past 30 years, ranging from elaborate corporate events to jazz clubs. He started his professional life as a jazz pianist, and has played throughout the Southeast United States, and in Paris and Florence, Italy.

His recordings for Hickory Cove, however, show another side of his playing--a quieter, contemplative style. He calls it "soothing music for stressful times," but unlike most new-age players, Jim chooses only well-known and long-loved songs to record.

You'll typically hear sections that sound like classical music merge into a jazz-flavored phrase, and then, perhaps, a section that draws from folk-music sources. And Jim moves in and out of different keys and time signatures with ease.

The result is a very unusual blend of melodic and restful piano playing that has proven to be very popular.

In addition to being a full-time professional pianist, Jim recently spent two years as a full-time visiting professor at Georgia State University's School of Music, and he has written four books and many articles on the commercial music profession.

Product Description
Melodies last for generations, and these powerful songs from over a hundred years ago still touch us deeply. These are melodies our forefathers sang as they went to battle, and that their families sang as they dealt with the tragic results of the war.

Jim Gibson's approach to these songs is restrained and respectful, but always interesting. Most of these selections are quiet and pensive, but some are more rousing. In this, Jim's ninth CD for Hickory Cove, you'll hear his unusual ability to blend different styles of music while never straying far from the melody.

One listener wrote us that "other pianists play all the notes, but there is no life. Jim Gibson brings warmth to each song."

Our goal is for this recording to introduce these important melodies from our past to new listeners, and to give those who are interested in the Civil War a new artist to enjoy.

Jim says, "I've outgrown the need to play a thousand notes per second--now I'm looking for the beauty of the melody, and there is a lot of that beauty in these songs."

We think that sums up "Songs of the Civil War."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Music, April 2, 2002

By A Customer

I have several "authentic" Civil War CDs, but I don't seem to listen to them very often, whereas I listen to this one over and over. Some of the songs are played here in an unexpected way--often more slowly than you'd expect. I've found myself humming several of these songs lately, and it is because I've listened to this CD so much. I appreciate the way Jim Gibson treats these melodies. This CD makes me appreciate how timeless popular songs and folk songs can be.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Pretty, but not expected, March 3, 2002

By A Customer

A good modern coctail-lounge-style rendition of music associated with the Civil War. Unfortunately, I was expecting music contemporary to the period.