Janet Reno - Song of America
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Free Music Notes for Song of America
Free Music Review: Massive effort and amazing result
Hit: 4 Stars
"Song of America" is a 3-disk compilation of 50 songs developed by former US Attorney General, Janet Reno, and her in-law, music producer, Ed Pettersen. Their goal was to document this country's story in song. The songs are done by contemporary artists with contemporary arrangements on themes that are timeless.
The music covers three broad periods of US history:
Disk 1: 1492 - 1860 (Red Disk)
Disk 2: 1861 - 1945 (White Disk)
Disk 3: 1946 to present (Blue Disk)
"Song of America" is a novel concept and considering the education system's attempts at teaching history to students, why not reach out via music? I don't know if the disks would work in today's classroom, but one of my best (non-coach) history teachers in high school played musical collections as part of our lectures.
There are many standouts in this collection. I'm only mentioning a few:
"The Great Atomic Power" Elizabeth Cook and the Grascals is a lively gospel return to the Fifties and Sixties when many contemplated their own personal bomb shelters and the atomic symbol inspired fear and wonder in our hearts.
"Over There" Jen Chapin (Harry Chapin's daughter) has the ability to tell stories with her voice just like her Dad did--and the spare arrangement really tells what's happening 'over there.'
"Johnny, I hardly knew ye" Janis Ian's fluting voice on this old standard will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
"Streets of Philadelphia" Bettye LaVette may be one of the few people who can cover a Springsteen song and almost make me forget who wrote it in the first place.
"The Farmer is the Man who Feeds them All" by Otis Brown will break your heart.
R. Kyle, April 2008
Free Music Review: An American History collector's item
Hit: 4 Stars
It's totally new dimension of listening to music and learning the history of America. Music reflects the social condition of it's times, when the music is coupled with the brief historic write ups that comes with the CD's, it enables the listeners to capture a brief reflection of the history and events that shaped by that period of times. This is a history collector's music CD set.Free Music Review: Moderately Disappointed
Hit: 3 Stars
I was really looking forward to this CD and it does have an amazing selection of songs. However, many of the songs were so "stylized" by the performers that they seemed to have been performed in almost a new-age manner. Most of the selections would have not been recognized by the people who listed to them at the time they were "popular" music. I listed to Stars and Stripes Forever twice and had to look at the index to see what they were playing. Many others were "interpreted" to such a degree that the entire mood or feeling of the number is altered.Free Music Review: Disappointing Song of America
Hit: 2 Stars
After waiting for this albumn to come out I was very disappointed with the result. Janet Reno produced an albumn that lacks proper perspective of American history in the style of the songs. The selection of songs were good but lacked depth. Some of the artists gave their own interpretation to the songs, which distorted the historical context. History buffs will find this albumn lacking and students will learn little about America from the updated changes in presentation. What could have been a worthy teaching tool has been sold short. Free Music Review: excellent and unique
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a very interesting mix of styles and artists, all contributing to an innovative collection....an amazing idea, with a nice updated twist.