American Civil War Songs on CD

Subject: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: GUEST,M. Farrell
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 10:41 PM

I want to buy a CD of American Civil War songs and tunes, preferably old rough around the edges recordings in the Smithsonian or Lomax vein which aren't polished and over-produced. If they are Various Artists, thats even better as it'll give me a good cross section of material. Any recommendations?

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: pdq
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 11:01 PM

In the last few months there has be a CD called "Civil War Tribute Collection" (Rural Rhythm RHY-1027) for sale at very cheap prices. Must be an introductoy offering or a close-out. The songs are great and the singing by Harold Thom is first rate.

Don't expect funky old musicianship, as Michael Cleveland (fiddle and mandolin) is a huge talent and is as modern as anyone except possibly Richard Greene. Jim Smoak plays a perfect, understated banjo. I bought the record because I had no recent work by Smoak, but found the whole CD to be great. Best Lorena I have ever heard, enough to justify getting the CD.

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 11:20 PM

Hi-
Sometime Mudcatter Judy Cook (click) has a very nice CD of Civil War songs, and I think you'd enjoy it very much.

Douglas Jimerson has a CD with a good collection of Civil War songs. His style is rather operatic, and I don't like it - but I have the impression that style of singing was standard at the time of the U.S. Civil War.

This Smithsonian/Folkways Search (click) will lead you to Folkways recordings and samples.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: GUEST,Lighter
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 11:40 PM

Jim Taylor & Friends have 2 Civil War CDs on the Gourd label which I enjoy quite a bit. The 2nd South Carolina String Band

http://www.civilwarband.com/

is also outstanding.

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: GUEST,iancarterb
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 12:02 AM

I believe that Frank Warner's Civil War recording has been reissued on CD. Hardly gets better than that. Can't swear it's on CD tho- I only have vinyl.

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 12:10 AM

...and then there's my band ShoreGrass, which did a live recording of a concert we gave a few years ago and called our CD "Songs of the Civil War Era." Available at CDBaby: Songs of the Civil War Era.

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 12:17 AM

Jed Marum has many songs on the civil war as well. He is a regular here on Mudcat.

                                                    SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Ernest
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 01:47 AM

And then there is Bobby Horton
of course

Best
Ernest

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Severn
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 04:24 AM

Do you want the raw stuff? 7 of 11 cuts are Civil War oriented on the Library Of Congress recordings, "Songs And Ballads of American History and of the Assasination of Presidents" (Rounder CD 1509 and originally on LP as Recording Laboratory, Library Of Congress AFS L29).

Joe Ayres, The Amoskeag Players and The Camptown Shakers all perform the Minstrel Show music of the time and Ayres has recordings of the banjo music of the time from Briggs and other music books and collections then current.

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 10:32 AM

I have this one and MANY others I will scan and list later.
Two are by an assortment of well-known Country/Folk/Bluegrass artists.

Hoyt Axton sings the best version of The Rebel Soldier that I ever heard - he tells it like it was - With Feeling.

[Tennessee Ernie Ford - Songs Of The Civil War - 2 LPs]
[Songs of the North]
[Songs of the South]

01 - The Army Of The Free
02 - Virginias Bloody Soil
03 - Marching Song (Of The First Arkansas Negro Regiment)
04 - The Why And The Wherefore
05 - The Vacant Chair
06 - The Fall Of Charleston
07 - The New York Volunteer
08 - The Faded Coat Of Blue
09 - Marching Through Georgia
10 - Just Before The Battle Mother
11 - The Girl I Left Behind
12 - Union Dixie
13 - Stonewall Jackson's Way
14 - Lorena
15 - Riding A Raid
16 - Maryland, My Maryland
17 - Goober Peas
18 - I Can Whip The Scoundrel
19 - The Bonnie Blue Flag
20 - The Valiant Conscript
21 - The Rebel Soldier
22 - The Southern Wagon
23 - Flight Of Doodles
24 - Dixie

Tennessee Ernie Ford - Songs Of The Civil War - Back.jpg
Tennessee Ernie Ford - Songs Of The Civil War - CD.jpg
Tennessee Ernie Ford - Songs Of The Civil War - Front-Inside.jpg

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: JedMarum
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 10:52 AM

Fighting Tigers of Ireland songs North, South and African American

Cross Over the River songs from the CSA

Myspace a Civil War Music page at Myspace

There are music clips at each of these links.

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: JedMarum
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 11:14 AM

Oh - and I meant to post a link to albums at CDBaby. If you put American Civil War songs into the search box at cdbaby.com you'll find a long list of choices.

I think this link will take you right to it.

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 11:16 AM

I like the one that went with the Ken Burns documentary.

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Goose Gander
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 11:20 AM

FOLK MUSIC & LORE OF THE CIVIL WAR (CD) is a nice collection put together by the Augusta Heritage Center in West Virginia. Here's a description from their site . . .

"Great numbers of popular sentimental, maudlin, and romanticized songs and verses were composed after the Civil War. But this collection of folk music exhibits the rough edges of real life. It captures the disposition of soldiers, the true brutality of the conflict, and the wry humor of the subjects. The people who have contributed their songs, tunes, and stories to this project represent the folk culture of the West Virginia region. They have dept this material in their memories because of their connection to the people and events in the stories, songs, and tunes. The affection for the people from whom they learned the songs adds endearment and meaning. Field recordings of songs, tunes, and stories featuring Melvin Wine, Maggie Hammons, Mose Coffman, and others."

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Maryrrf
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 12:06 PM

Another suggestion http://www.southern-horizon.com/music.htm

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Severn
Date: 01 Aug 08 - 01:03 PM

As close to authentic as is on recordings-Part I


Again, you say that you want the raw stuff, on a field-collected level. There's a lot of CDs issued for the re-enactor and history buff crowd, but some of the closest you'll find to what you want is music that was made despite "the hobby", as re-enactors call it, the history buffs and the general (or even private) audience, rather than because of it. Field recordings of second generation sources are out there, as recording technology and interest in recording traditional musicians didn't come in until most participants had passed on. These recordings of the type you want are scattered about and desperately need to be anthologized on CD in one place. I'll try ot give you some singers, players and recordings to tap into.

Besides the aforementioned Library Of Congress CD, the 2 CDs "Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still: The Warner Collection Vol I (Applesed Recordings APR CD 1035) and "Nothing Seems Better To Me": The Warner Collection, Vol. II (Appleseed Recordings APR CD 1036) that make up the reissues of Frank and Anne Warner's field recordings both contain Civil War era tunes from the likes of Frank Proffit, Elizar Tillet and "Yankee" John Galusha. The trouble with this collection was that some of it was recorded with much more primitive equipment than the Lomaxes were able to aquire and half of the songs are two minute fragments that are valuable for securing the tune, but you will need Warner's songbook or other book or recorded sources for the complete texts, as his first machines could only record two minutes at a time.

There are fiddlers out there who have Civil War and prewar tunes in their repetoires, such as Owen "Snake" Chapman (on Rounder) John W. Summers (Label unknown for solo recordings) and Harvey Sampson (on Agusta Heritage, I believe). The Library of Congress collection of fiddle tunes (reissued by Rounder on CD and by the LOC on LP, as the previously mentioned LOC collection mentioned upscroll was) contains a lot of tunes that would be relevant.

The issue of what tunes were actually around before and during the war would make a fascinating thread on its own and is one that I would love to see!

The Popular/Parlor/Sheet music aspect is dealt with on parts of " 'Who Shall Rule The American Nation?:Songs Of the Civil War Era by Henry Clay Work" (Nonesuch H 71317 on LP, look up the CD) by Joan Morris, Clifford Jackson, William Bolcom and The Camerata Chorus Of Washington. However some of the songs were composed as late as 1883.

"...And The Band played 'Bully For You':Militia Fife & Drum Music of the American Civil War Era" by Old Line Field Music ( no #, Men Of Perth Productions 8109 Mandan Terrace, Greenbelt MD 20770) is an example of the recordings of fife and drum corps playing authentic arrangements. There are several bands also specializing in authentic Brass Band arrangements). (The ones I had were stolen from a friend's car so you'll have to find this type of thing on your own.)

This is taking time and effort and I have to go do things. Part two with listings of some of my favorite vocal and instrumental cuts scattered over many recordings on labels the likes of Folk-Legacy and Folkways will be posted soon. Also try some of the Civil War re-enactor or history sites for information and reccommendations.



Good luck with this stuff until then. More to come......

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: GUEST,M.Farrell
Date: 01 Aug 08 - 02:00 PM

Thanks to everyone who answered my question. I'm really looking forward to getting some of this material. Its a period of history that I've only lately gotten into and I find the best way to find out about the lives of the people of a particular era is through their music. Thanks again.

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Aug 08 - 02:37 PM

Jed Marum's CDs are first on the list.
Jerry Ernst has does some brilliant recordings using authentic instruments - be forewarned, they are very much like field recordings. I happen to love them.
Night March To Gettysburg
Angel Band

Used to be available on Ebay,
Try this link to MP3s:
www.mp3.com/jerund

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Aug 08 - 02:38 PM

Or do a search on Jerry Ernst on CDBaby.

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: GUEST,Songster Bob
Date: 01 Aug 08 - 03:05 PM

It happens that I'm in a Civil War reenactment band (with Doug Jimerson, mentioned above), and we have been in the studio doing songs relating to Abe Lincoln. Our approach is not 'soldier songs,' but popular songs and parlor songs of the day. Doug IS a trained tenor (he does the 'Star-Spangled Banner' at Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals baseball games fairly often) and that means we do fewer minstrel songs or actual soldier songs, but I've been nudging the band in that direction ever since joining (for that Civil War recording mentioned above, as it happens).

Our Lincoln CD won't be out till the fall, alas, but there are a lot of recordings out there. I particularly like some of the minstrel show reenactment bands -- the Camptown Shakers and the 2d South Carolina Stringband are two of my favorites (go to CDBaby.com).

Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Severn
Date: 01 Aug 08 - 05:00 PM

As close to authentic as is on recordings, Part II

Again, I'll say that some of the best stuff is scattered around individual albums. I haven't kept up with recent recordings, as I've been out of re-enacting for a few years now. However if you go to your next local re-enactment, there will be a bunch of suttlers' tents to sell itens to the tourists as well as the soldiers, and among the souvenier sellers, hat and costume makers, gunsmiths, photographers et.al. is usually a tent selling Civil War-related music and asking advice from them and taking tips from us, you should be able to find a wider selection there than anyplace else to buy on the spot rather than as a mail order. Choose wisely, as there's a lot of stuff out there that uses more modern Bluegrass banjo-oriented arrangements or other styles or instruments, such as an autoharp or dobro, that were invented later. (The stereotype of the old lady in the gingham dress with the autoharp singing "Vacant Chair" or "Just Before The Battle Mother", was a later development and not "of" the time and place). There are also bands like the 97th Regimental band that are fun to hear when they're playing a rowdy dance (while sometimes Joe Ayres would be playing a more sedate dance down the way) but are pretty much the equivalent of The Kingston Trio in funny suits. There's a few imposters out there to sift through.


If Folkways hasn't already done one of its "Such-and-sutch music on Folkways" anthologies like they've done for Blues, Old Time, Maritime, Railroad songs and Gospel, then they're missing the boat, as they have a treasure trove of the stuff in their catalog and could deliver a CD that could leave anything else out there in the dust, if they handled it right. (HINT, HINT!....) Folk Legacy might havenear enough in the vaults.

Here are some selections that anyone with a serious interest in the period should hear sometime in their lifetime:

From "Fine Times At Our House-Indiana Ballads, Fiddle Tunes, Songs" (Folkways LP FS 3809) collected by Pat Dunford & Art Rosenbaum:

"Sherman's Retreat"-John W. Summers, fiddle
"The Battle Of Stone River"-Oscar Parks, vocal (complete with a story about the man who shot a General whose death was mentioned in the song used to stop and make him sing it).



From "The Hammons Family-The Traditions of a West Virginia Family and Their Friends" (Rounder CD 1504/05) collected by Alan Jabbour and Carl Flieschhauer for the Library Of Congress.

"Camp Chase"-Burl Hammons (Complete with tale of how one Sol Carpenter used this variant of "George Booker or The Marquis Of Huntley's Farewell" to win his freedom from a Yankee prison camp in a contest.)


From "Ballads and Songs Of The Blue Ridge Mountains: Persistance and Change" (Asch AH 3831 available through Folkways)collected by Eric Davidson, Paul Newman and Caleb Finch:

"The War Is A-Raging"-Aunt Polly Joines, vocal


From "Wolf River Songs" (Ethnic Folkways Library FE 4001 available through Folkways):

"The Sinking Of The Cumberland"-Warde Ford


From Uncle Dave Macon: Classic Sides 1924-1938 JSP Records JSP7729 Disc B, (and on various US anthologies of his work or the German Bear Family complete set):

"Rock About My Saro Jane"-Uncle Dave Macon



From "Nashville: The Early String Bands Vol 2" (County Records, County 542)

"Old Master's Run Away"-Sam & Kirk McGee



From "Frank Proffit Sings Folk Songs" (Folkways FA 2360)

"Old Abe"



From "Frank Proffit, Reese North Carolina" (Folk-Legacy FSA-1):

"Going Across The Mountain"



From Frank Proffit-"Memorial Album" (Folk Legacy FSA-36)

"Poor Soldier"



From "Beech Mountain, North Carolina Vol.2: The Later Songs and Hymns" Folk-Legacy FSA-23):

"Going Away Tomorrow"-Buna Hicks, singer (with her telling about her mother, who lived through the war, singing it to her)


From "Max Hunter of Springfield, Missouri" (Folk-Legacy FSA-11)

"The Battle Of Pea Ridge" (Hunter was a collector, rather than a source singer)



.....all I have time for now. Maybe more later!


Enjoy! And Happy hunting!.....

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 02 Aug 08 - 09:57 AM

Great info, Severn. Thanks.
- Phil

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Aug 08 - 01:46 PM

I 2nd Songster Bob's mention of the "2nd South Carolina Stringband".

They do some very authentic versions.

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Aug 08 - 02:02 PM

look 'em up on YouTube

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dSM5MPGIwgY (LONG version of "Old Dan Tucker")

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Roberto
Date: 02 Aug 08 - 03:40 PM

I beautiful CD by David Kincaid, The Irish Volunteer, songs of the Irish Union soldiers 1861-1865, issued in 1998.

From Smithsonian-Folkways, The Civil War, vol.1 e 2, with Pete Seeger, Ellen Stekert, Jerry Silverman, etc

Subject: RE: American Civil War Songs on CD
From: Arkie
Date: 02 Aug 08 - 04:25 PM

Cathy Barton and Dave Para have two CDs of Civil War music from the western border, Johnny Whistletrigger and Rebel in the Woods. The CDs include modern and traditional material and the notes distinguish which is which. The music and the notes are well done, but the CDs are not overly produced. Cathy and Dave put these recordings together because there were few, if any, recordings in existence that included music from the states along the western border of the USA in the 1860s.