The Civil War Original Soundtrack

The Civil War (CD): It truly evokes the Civil War era, at least as I imagine it was. I was disappointed that there's no rousing rendition of The Battle Cry of Freedom, with the 2 included tracks being quiet and dirge-like. The disc plays wells in my vehicle player with no issues.

The Burns brothers chose an excellent selection of songs for their series on the Civil War, and what makes this sound track brilliant is their use. The "Ashokan Farewell" is the cover of this CD, but there are many other songs that are tied specifically to events and personalities. For example, "God Save the South" is a cover for Jefferson Davis. "Bonnie Blue Flag" covers Robert E. Lee. "All Quiet on the Potomac" stands atop George McClellan. "Jacob's Ladder" is present for the slavery issue.Other songs come in varieties. "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again" and "Marching Through Georgia" are heard as triumphal songs as the war starts. They return as mournful dirges when the results of the war are seen. The melodies match moods in many ways. "Listen to the Mockingbird" covers Union troops celebrating atop the mountain at Chattanooga. An up-tempo "Battle Cry of Freedom" covers Union mobilization, an up-tempo "Bonnie Blue Flag" handles the Confederates marching to war. Sadder versions of the songs show the dead and maimed young men after they have discovered the reality of the horror.The album is an interesting mix of nostalgia and mourning, excitement and sadness, life and death. The Burns brothers did well in selecting their music. It's American music.

I am satisfied with the items that I purchased that is listed above.

I heard some of this music played at a music event in Virgnia, came home and ordered the CD. I have this music in my truck and play it almost every day at home. At the 2017 Presidential Inauguration a Senator incorporated part of a letter written by a Civil War Soldier that is contained in one of the songs on this album. I believe the letter describes true patriotism. Love of family and country. The country came first in this instance.

Ken Burns' selection of music for his PBS specials makes the audio a listening experience. The Civil War and the National Parks CDs are worth buying. The tracks are carefully selected. The Civil War CD contains a representative selection of period music. The National Parks CD gives the listener a sense of openness.

A good sound track with some great songs.One song makes the album of course. And the ending reprise with the song and the letter read at the end is haunting.Ashokan Farewell is beautiful written in NY and named after a nice reservoir.Worthy of a listen and good background music while reading.

The Ken Burns Civil War documentary that came out in 1990 was absolutely great. This CD features the music from that documentary. Overall I think it is a great look back in the time of the American Civil War. Some songs are absolutely great, others are ok. I really like the Ashokan Farewell, the Dixie songs, and the piano songs by Jacqueline Schwab. I would recommend this CD to any history buffs of that era and anyone who loved the documentary. Music like this truely is the best way to get in the mindset of the 1860s.

Any study of the Civil War needs to include the music of the time. This is a very good collection of music to invoke the feel of America at an extremely difficult time.Young people need to hear the music of the 1860`s to more fully experience the struggle.We can read books, watch movies,look at pictures of the Civil War, but we need the music to make it real. This collection should be considered for all to appreciate.

Ken Burns' Gettysburg is an excellent film, FIRST rate. WELL DONE to everyone involved in producing this brilliant film.I've owned all three (3) - the film, the book, and the music. I would like to own all three (3) again. The only one I have now is the film which is high quality as are the book and the sound track. The book and the sound track NEVER arrived. We were looking forward to seeing ALL three (3) again!

I first heard this music whilst sitting on the deck of a fab house on a private island in Seattle, as the Ashakan Farwell echoed out over the Puget Sound it was haunting and very moving. I was told it was the music often played by the families of American Soldiers killed in Iraq and Bagdad who were brought home to their final resting place.No its not maudling, its just very moving. This is why I bought this CD. The rest of the CD is so jolly and uplifting. I would highly recommend it as well as the company who sold it to me. Delivery was on time and price right.

The story of the American Civil War had never been so well covered until Ken Burns undertook his monumental undertaking a few years ago. The music CD covers all the main musical themes which accompanied the series and make no mistake, its wonderful! What I like about it is the simple melodies taken from the well know folk songs which existed at the time. The highlight is of course is Ashoken Farewell. Its haunting. If you saw the series and enjoyed it like I did, then this CD is a great buy.

I actually bought this for the Ashokan Farewell track to play at my mother's funeral service, but have listened to the whole album many times since. What can one say that has not already been said in praise of the series as well as the soundtrack itself? Jacob's Ladder i simply sublime, and the soldier's letter at the end a most moving piece that is universally relevant to any war.

Soundtrack from the original TV series so most tracks are from the 1980's. There are numerous pops and crackles so maybe some are taken directly from vinyl. It is not hifi but faithfully provides a mnemonic background whilst studying Detweiler's account of the war with maps.