|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 11 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 Authenticity over Virtuosity May 05, 2005
By Theo Logos
Close your eyes while listening to 2nd South Carolina String Band and you can almost imagine yourself transported in time and space - sitting around a campfire in Northern Virginia or East Tennessee circa 1863. Just don't keep them closed for too long, or you might start to taste hardtack! Yeah, the boys of 2nd South Carolina String Band are that authentic. Their song arraignments are simple and straightforward with no professional polish - played much the same way as young farm boys turned soldiers may have once played them to pass the time in camp. They use only period instruments that could pass muster in the strictest historic re-enactor's camp. If authenticity to period is what you desire, then these boys are the best.
That said, I should point out that these guys have something in common with Bob Dylan - their genius does not necessarily lie in their musical skill. Their voices are untrained and their playing, while adequate and enjoyable, is strictly amateur. It is this amateur quality as much as anything that makes their music sounds so authentic, but it does not make for performances that will blow you away with their virtuosity.
The song selection on `Hard Road' is simply outstanding. In addition to standards like Battle Cry of Freedom and When Johnny Comes Marching Home, they have included some rare gems that for some reason are not often included on period collections. My favorites are the humorous song Invalid Corp, a song mocking those who tried to avoid active service and the lively minstrel show song Kingdom Coming. Tenting on the Old Campground and Vacant Chair add a nice mournful note, and The Bonnie Blue Flag and Jine the Calvary nicely evoke Southern patriotic fever and bravado. Throw in a couple of Stephen Foster's most popular songs, Oh Susanna and Camptown Races, and this collection emerges as darn near perfect!
If you want polished and professional performances you should pass on this CD. But if you would like to hear these songs as your great great grandpa may have heard or even played them around a Civil War campfire with his mess mates, then snatch up Hard Road and get to listing.
Theo Logos
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Authentic Period Music Sep 02, 2003
By Gerald M. Hyson
"jerhys"
This is a great example of how the music sounded during the American Civil War. The vocals are not the strong point but the playing is superb including guitar, fiddle, banjo and percussion (missing is the fife from their next album). The band is composed of re-enactors, so they pay attention to the original arrangements, including the use of tambourine, spoons, bones, harmonica that the common soldier would have used at this time. This is how it would have sounded in a Civil War camp during the 1860s, with over an hour this is sure to please.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
As Good As It Gets Dec 31, 2004
By R. B. Davis
"Bob"
There are country and bluegrass artists that occasionally sing and play a tune from the American Civil War era. Sometimes these songs are compiled into a CD. These artists do an okay job. If "okay" is good enough then buy the compilations of these various artists. But, if you want period music from a group of people who live and breath the music of the mid-1800s invest you money on CDs from the 2nd South Carolina String Band. They are simply the best.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Great Civil War Period Music Collection for the Yanks and Rebs Apr 09, 2006
By Ken Roberts
"social historian"
To find period music done correctly takes quite a bit of money - either because the sound and style is too contemporary (updated versions of classic tunes for "today's audience") or the lyrics have changed due to political correctness (can't say that, it might offend whatever group). Believe me, I have spent my share of hard earned cash looking for period correct music only to find the above mentioned problems, even at many sutlers.
But when I find a gem such as this collection by the 2nd South Carolina String Band, I feel it's my duty to get the word out.
This is an excellent source of Civil War era music done completely in a traditional style. It doesn't matter if you are a Billy Yank or Johnny Reb, this collection covers both sides of the conflict. Toe tappin' sing-a-long songs will seemingly take the listener back in time with some of the finest tunes this side of the Atlantic. My favorites include Battle Cry of Freedom, Cumberland Gap, Kingdom Coming, and Lorena. But the ethereal fiddling on the Cavalier's Waltz will set you to tears.
Musical historian or Civil War re-enactor - this collection deserves a high spot in your period music collection.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Absolutely the best in Civil War music ! Feb 05, 2004
By Jonathan C. Cook
Over the years I have purchased many a fine tape or CD of Civil War music, but nothing can compare with the 2nd South Carolina String Band! "Hard Road" is an excellent example of this band's ability at bringing you back to the days when two great American armies traversed this land and battled one another.
When you listen to "Hard Road" or any other 2nd South Carolina CD, all you'll have to do is just close your eyes and you will swear that in the air you smell the mingling of coffee, tobacco, and bivouac fires! It is absolutely the best in Civil War music! You won't be disappointed.
See all 11 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| | |
