Songs Of The Civil War

Introduced by documentary wunderkind Ken Burns (The Civil War), this outstanding compilation of songs circa the Civil War era serves as an excellent companion video to The Civil War series. Combining still photos, contemporary interviews with both historians (Shelby Foote, etc.) and musicians (Judy Collins, etc.), Songs of the Civil War looks at that divisive war from another vantage point--music--and creates its own memorable stories. The singers and musicians who come primarily from country, bluegrass, and black music backgrounds cover a wide variety of musical styles, from the plaintive gospel song "No More Auction Block For Me" by Sweet Honey in the Rock to the modern country sound of Waylon Jennings' "Old Unreconstructed." Other artists include: The United States Military Academy Band ("Dixie's Land," "Taps"), Ronnie Gilbert ("Lincoln and Liberty," "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"), Richie Havens ("Follow the Drinking Gourd," "Give Us a Flag"), Kathy Mattea ("The Southern Soldier Boy," "Somebody's Darling"), and Hoyt Axton ("The Yellow Rose of Texas"). The program also includes a performance of "Ashokan Farewell" by Jay Ungar, Molly Mason and Fiddle Fever, which some viewers will recognize as the theme music to The Civil War series. Fascinating to watch and eminently listenable, Songs of the Civil War is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (Available from most distributors.)