Tennessee Ernie Ford: Songs Of The Civil War CD Track Listing

A list by checkmate

Tennessee Ernie Ford Songs Of The Civil War (1961)
Songs Of The Civil War\n2004 Bear Family Records\n\n''Sings Civil War Songs Of The South'' LP Originally Released July 1961\n''Sings Civil War Songs Of The North'' LP Originally Released July 1961\nThis Compilation Released October 5, 2004\nCapitol CD Edition Released February 1991\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: (''Sings Civil War Songs Of The South'') Civil War Songs of the South was one of two albums of Civil War songs recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford during 1961 (the other being Civil War Songs of the North), as part of the national fixation on the War Between the States on the occasion of the centenary of the conflict. Ford sings these straight and with sincerity, pushing the richness of his baritone to breathe fresh life into the 100-year-old songs, and giving them an immediacy that is bracing in this setting, surrounded mostly by a robust male chorus and accompanied by fife and drums (in keeping with the military orientation of the music), and restrained brass. The highlight, showcasing Ford's most affecting performance and his richest vocalizing, is on "Lorena" (a melody that filmgoers will recognize from its use in several John Ford films), supported by mandolin as well as strings and gentle male chorus; "The Bonnie Blue Flag," "Dixie," and "The Southern Wagon" also come off exceptionally well here, and the whole album is still a treat. This LP was a hit at the time, selling well enough to stay in print for a decade, whereas its northern counterpart could only muster enough sales to remain in the catalog for three years. -- Bruce Eder\n\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: (''Sings Civil War Songs Of The North'') It says something about the true cultural outcome of the War Between the States that the Union songs aren't generally as well known as their Confederate counterparts. Still, if anyone could have turned these pieces into popular favorites 100 years on, it was Tennessee Ernie Ford -- he holds nothing back, from "The Army of the Free" to "Union Dixie," although these performances, curiously enough, sound much more like, and less natural than, his work on the accompanying Civil War Songs of the South, which have a more spontaneous and subtle feel, whereas the work here is more arch and self-conscious. It's a subtle difference, but one that becomes apparent listening to the two albums side-by-side, and it may explain, in part, why Civil War Songs of the North didn't sell half as well, or for a third as long, as its southern counterpart. Ford's baritone is in superb shape throughout, and most impressive on "Virginia's Bloody Soul," and there's something of a history lesson here in the form of songs such as "Marching Song (Of the First Arkansas Negro Regiment)" (set to "Battle Hymn of the Republic"). The most familiar song here is "The Girl I Left Behind Me," but many of the melodies will be recognizable from other settings and uses. A lot of the repertory is serious and profound, but some of it is lighthearted, and Ford fits both moods, taking on his twangier, higher-pitched approach to singing on "The Fall of Charleston." Some of the material here, such as "Marching Through Georgia," could still be the basis for starting brawls in the territory mentioned, 100 years after the fact, which explains another reason for the southern album's greater popularity -- the south never put aside or forgot the war or the sentiments behind it, while the north mostly consigned it and the songs surrounding it to history. The accompaniment, in addition to fife and drums, includes acoustic guitars (rather refreshingly on "The Girl I Left Behind Me") and autoharps. -- Bruce Eder\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: (This Compilation) Two thematic and musically related Tennessee Ernie Ford LPs have been combined onto one deluxe CD, with audiophile sound and extensive annotation and full lyrics. Had this been released in time for Ken Burns' Civil War series, it could easily have become the best-selling CD in the entire Bear Family catalog in the U.S. -- Ford was in top form at the time he cut these two albums in 1961, and the production and musical sensibilities make it as entertaining and bracing as it is informative, and it's got plenty to offer in all of those areas. -- Bruce Eder \n \nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nEven better than I remembered it!, January 15, 2006\nReviewer: Good Brother Cadfael (Virginia)\nThis 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. \n\nNow 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: \n\n1. 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. \n\n2. 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. \n\n3. 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!) \n\n4. 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. \n\nTo conclude: it's a great album and will afford you much listening pleasure! \n\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nGreat One, May 10, 2005\nReviewer: D.G.\nI 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. \n\n\n\nHalf.com Details \nProducer: Lee Gillette \n\nAlbum Notes\nDigitally remastered by Larry Walsh (November 1990, Capitol Recording Studios).\n\nIndustry Reviews\nAfter more than 40 years, these albums remain as fitting testaments to the music of that pivotal time in American history.
This folk cd contains 24 tracks and runs 71min 16sec.
Freedb: 3f10b218

Categories

Latest lists

Tennessee Ernie Ford: Songs Of The Civil War CD Track Listing

Category

Tags

cyList

Legal