Songs of the Civil War
Prompted by the success Ken Burns's popular Civil War documentary (which spawned its own soundtrack),Songs of the Civil Warpresents an eclectic assortment of contemporary performers tackling period pieces that date back to the War Between the States. Here'sSweet Honey in the Rocktackling the slave lament "No More Auction Block for Me,"Judy Collinssinging "Battle Hymn of the Republic," andKate and Anna McGarrigleessaying the lovely (and very suitable) "Hard Times Come Again No More." Between performances by name artists (Kathy Mattea,Waylon Jennings, andRichie Havensamong them), instrumentals performed by the U.S. Military Academy Band provide a sense of time and place.--Steven Stolder