Album Description

A portion of the proceeds from each CD sold will be donated to the USO, our active-duty troops, and the families of fallen soldiers.

This collection includes a previously unreleased "God Bless America" by Martina McBride (performed only once at the Rose Bowl Parade Jan 2002). ... Read more

Reviews (16)

The highest degree of music, artists...and subject
One of the best collections of patriotic country music I've found. However, some songs on this CD aren't exactly patriotic, per se. They're more like "slice of life in America" songs. I would have traded these for others like Martina McBride's "Independence Day", Toby Keith's "American Soldier", and perhaps "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue".

God Bless the U.S.A. 2003 - Lee Greenwood, (3:30): Greenwood's famous song is still just as good as ever, and if you haven't heard it, this could become one of your favorite tracks.

My Town - Montgomery Gentry (4:27): It's just a simple song about being proud to be in "my town"

Till My Dyin' Day - Brooks & Dunn (3:06): A more beaty song about appreciating life, the beauty of living, and standing up for our rights when it comes time, "till my dyin' day".

God Bless America - Martina McBride (3:31): With very orchestral and spirited music, Martina McBride sings as well as ever. *Sarcastic warning* This song includes an invocation of blessings from God.

Where the Stars and Stripes and Eagle Fly - Aaron Tippin (3:48): I just love this song. It just sums up being "proud to be American" perfectly. It's sort of mildly boasting about the best that America offers, and the freedom that Americans live and die for. American pride at its best.

I'm Already There - Lonestar (4:14): Lonestar does some great songs, and this one is a popular, sort of tear-jerking song. Not exactly patriotic (not that it's UNpatriotic) but it sings of a father on the road calling back home and talking to his family, telling them that he is, in essence, "already there" in spirit. It's just a nice family love song, and nice to hear, but it's just one of those slice-of-life songs, not about America. Then again, one could easily argue that's a good part of what America is about.

America Will Always Stand - Randy Travis (3:58): Just a quiet song, singing of love for the American flag, and what she stands for, and standing stongly united under its banner, and under God.

American Child - Phil Vassar (3:13): I really like this song, too, even though it is kind of from a personal angle, as in, singing of (assumingly) Phil Vassar's upbringing in a poor town, his success, and being thankful that he and his family grew up an "American Child".

Back Where I Come From - Kenny Chesney (4:11): Recorded live, it is introduced by Kenny Chesney, and sings of a love for country roots, the background for many of these music stars, and a lot of Americans.

Born Country - Alabama (3:18) Again, another song of pride for country roots and surroundings from which singers and others come from.

I'm Your Biggest Fan - Neal McCoy (4:05): A very loving song to the troops, evidently recorded recently, overseas if I had my guess. Each and everyone of us that is proud to have our American soldiers fighting to keep us free could sing this to the troops, and mean it with all our hearts.

America Will Survive - Hank Williams Jr. (4:42): This is one in the style of "Angry American", and modified from the original "Country Boy Can Survive", it's about gritty resolve that a ragtag bunch of terrorists won't drive us out, or make us run. This song contained the D-word, in case you're concerned about content.

Days of America - Black hawk (3:00): Another okay song about normal American life...neighbors banding together to protect their businesses from corporate takeovers, farms from bank foreclosures...just neighbors taking care of each other.

This Ain't No Rag, It's A Flag - The Charlie Daniels Band (3:32): Once again, in the style of "Angry American", Charlie Daniels' gravely voice gets down and dirty, warning terrorists that they're about to face up to the consequences for daring to attack this big dawg country. If you liked "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" (which I did -- in spite of the bad word, I loved it), you're going to love this one too. I love it because there IS a time to express the anger that Americans store up for terrorists that behead our troops and plot harm against u.s. Again, if content is a concern, the style is sort of heavy-metal, but it's a heavy metal that I'm okay with -- and I don't like heavy metal. It also calls the terrorists mild names like "dog", "fool", and "dirty little mole", which shouldn't bother anyone -- they're terrorists.

Hey Mr. President - The Warren Brothers (4:17): A quiet song (perhaps needed to calm yourself down after venting some anger in "Ain't No Rag"), just a nice little memo in song-form to the President, thanking him for the job he's doing, It bridges party lines, too, not favoring one side or the other, although presumably it thanks President Bush, because we owe little thanks to Clinton for degrading our military prior to 9/11.

Riding With Private Malone - David Ball (4:34): Not very patriotic, exactly, but again, it's not unpatriotic either. It's just a song about a former military fellow who buys a car from a lady, and finds a note in the glove compartment from another boy who died in one of the wars, and used to own the car. The singer fixes up the car, but he sings about how he always felt while driving that he was "riding with Private Malone".

One Last Time - Dusty Drake (3:49): A tear-jerker if I ever heard one. It's about one of the passengers on one of the doomed airplanes on 9/11, calling home to his wife to say goodbye -- "one last time". Very emotional, very touching.

Homeland - Kenny Rogers (3:34): A fitting close, singing again of love for American homeland, standing strong and free.

Whether you like country or not, this album makes you proud -- nay, thrilled -- to be American. I strongly recommend it for anyone.

It's about time!
There have been times when I wanted to put, on 1 CD, a collection of songs that reflect how I feel about this great nation. This desire accelerated when I was deployed to Iraqi Freedom aboard the USS Harry S Truman. Then I noticed that there was only one genre of music from which artists reached out to express support for Americans at war, and that was country music.

I note with amazement the negative reviews related to this product. The vitriol, hatred, anger are obvious. If that's your bag, fine. But there are some of us who are proud of their country, aware of strengths and weaknesses but coming out strong in favor of our homeland, and this CD is for us. When we have heard just a little too much of the constant drumbeat of the terminally angry, we can pop this into play and enjoy.

I've toured in and lived in other nations. This is the land I love the best. I've watched the news, read newspapers, been in DC... and I've lived and worked with Americans from the heartland, working hard and doing the best they can. I vastly prefer the company of these people, who this CD does a good job of honoring. Sure, I can name some songs I'd have preferred were on here, selections of Toby Kieth come readily to mind. But this is a CD I'm proud to own, because it's positive, upbeat, and reminds me of home. I've looked for such a collection, and I'm glad it's arrived.

Good, but not perfect, collection of all-American country
This is a pretty handy collection of flag-waving commercial country songs, gathering together a bunch of songs that can be appreciated either as sincere expressions of heart-stirring pride, or as jingoistic kitsch... Either way, it's a nice record of its time... There are some older, pre-9/11 songs, like David Ball's perfect, beautiful tearjerker, "Riding With Privte Malone," and Lee Greenwood's super-cheesy, nigh-unbearable "God Bless America," which originally came out in 1984, and has since been remixed so many times you'd think Greenwood owned stock options in the Cuisineart company... Even though this is a multi-label collection, there are also several significant omissions, including lame-o hits like Clint Black's "Iraq And Roll" and Toby Keith's numerous stupid propaganda songs; more importantly, it misses some of the good songs, like John Michael Montgomery's "Letters From Home" and Lonestar's "Somebody's Someone" (which are both current hits, and thus unavailable for repackaging), and Darryl Worley's "Do You Remember." And the most glaring omission is, of course, Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning?)," which is without doubt the single greatest artistic statement to have come out of Nashville after the 9/11 attacks... Even so, even without those songs, this album is still a good document of country music's patriotic resurgence.

The one question I have, though -- and it's kind of depressing to even ask it -- is why this album is touted as a fundraiser that "will benefit the USO, our active-duty troops, and the families of fallen soldiers"? I mean, why is a benefit album even necessary? Shouldn't the government already be doing right by these folks? Something is seriously wrong with this picture.

Great music for a very worthwhile cause!
This is an excellent album with a variety of music. Despite some of the strange "hate America" reviews, several of the songs have absolutely nothing to do with "nationalism." Some of the songs are about things like missing loved ones, about being far away from family and friends. I'd like to suggest that reviewers stick to the topic at hand: the review of the music on this CD -- and leave the political rhetoric and hatefulness to more appropriate venues.

Great Mix
This CD is a great mix of songs. Will show alot of you what patriotism is. And to you people badmouthing this cd go buy the Fahrenheit 9/11 soundtrack, you are unpatriotic and have no business living in this country, go move to Canada and make this country better WITHOUT YOU. ... Read more

Reviews (51)

Britain and America ¿ united we stand
I have long been a fan of Lee Greenwood, and his enthusiasm for his country is obvious in these songs. Of course, his own song (God bless the USA) is here - it is the song he is best known for in America. In Britain, he is known (if at all) for Wind beneath my wings, but that's for a different review.

Of the other songs, track 2 (simply titled America) shows America's colonial heritage - it has the same tune as the British national anthem, but I've not heard these words except on this album.

Woody Guthrie intended This land is your land to be an anti-establishment song, implying that the people should rise up and claim what was theirs, but it obviously didn't work out that way. As its inclusion here proves, the establishment has embraced the song enthusiastically.

Perhaps the best two songs are at the end. America the beautiful is inspiring, while Star spangled banner is, together with the French anthem, one of the most stirring national anthems there is.

I guess not many Brits listen to American patriotic music, but there are times when I want to stand shoulder to shoulder with my American friends. This is not something I play very often, and I can't imagine buying another album of similar music, but just occasionally, I need this. As I am writing this review, our troops are preparing jointly to do battle (again) against Saddam Hussein. Now is just the right time to give this a listen.

review of AMERICAN Patriot
I really have enjoyed listening to the songs Lee Greenwood sings. They seem so extremely significant since the events of 9-11. The most significant songs are The Great Defenders, God Bless America, The pledge of allegiance, and God bless the usa. I would recommend this cd to any one who is a fan of great patriotic music.

A True Patriotic CD
Well after listening to just that one song, I feel proud to be an AMERICAN. This CD should make an AMERICAN feel proud for his great country. I know I proud. And now I know, If I have to when I get older, I will die for my country and my family.

Insporational
I first God Bless the USA at a camp I went to last summer, I really liked it. I'm one of those anti-rap consirvative teens. I bought this album just for the song "God Bless the USA", but all the others I learned are also great. I would recommend this to all Americans who can appriciate the work of our solders, and respect that they live in a FREE country.

Wonderful Music For Trying Times
Liberals and with the exception of our friends the Brits, the EU folks who have sold their heritage to a common market will not like this soul-stirring music but it moves the heart of every patriot.
Americans need to play this album at least once a week - it's a good cure for all the woe is me moaning and groaning one has to put up with from the media.
America! There is no other place like it and we have Lee Greenwood to sing its glory.
Wonderful music. Uplifting and simply beautiful.
God bless the U.S.A. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Put them together and you have FALSETTOS...more or less
A few perceptive critics sang the praises of William Finn when MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS opened in 1981. Ten years later the sequel, FALSETTOLAND came along winning more praise for teh composer (and truth be told, his musical talends seem to have developed a lot in those intervening years.) DRG recorded both shows with their off-Broadway casts, and repackaged them in this 2 CD set when the revised Broadway production, FALSETTOS opened to rave reviews in 1992.

These Cds do not fully represent FALSETTOS. There were quite a few lyric changes in the first part (MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS) and the song "I'm Breaking Down" from IN TROUSERS was added. Still, the cast on this set is about as perfect as one could wish for, and DRG offers all the lyrics in the booklet to follow along.

Not all the music is pretty. Some is quite hard to take at times. But it all works in telling a unique story. And the show has not been forgotten: it still gets staged by community theatre groups regularly. It's a shame some people shy away from this one feeling it is a show for "gay" audiences only. It's not. The themes (Live, love, death and other unscheduled events) are universal. You don't have to be gay or jewish to appreciate this wonderful show.

Much fun
These two works are some of the best work written for the American musical stage in the past thirty years, and absolutely are worth listening to again and again. Of the two, "March of the Falsettos" fares better overall than "Falsettoland": the latter has its moments, but is fairly sentimental (although understandably so given the subject matter), and the character of Trina vanishes somewhat from the foreground. But the whole thing is still a joy: the lyrics are almost painfully witty, and the whole thing is filled with tremendous zest and spark.

The cast is terrific, and all the adult male actors have become almost forever associated with their superb performances here. The two Trinas, Alison Frasier and Faith Prince, are quite different, although both are absolutely wonderful in their own fashion: Prince is particularly hilarious in "Year of the Child," and Frasier almost steals "March" from the rest of the cast (which is no small feat). Just listen to the latter on the marvelous little intro to "Please Come to Our House" to see how remarkable this actress can be.

seriously worth all the stars in the world!!
Ever since I recently purchased this CD, this has become my favorite musical theatre piece ever. William Finn's work is an undiscovered gem (by me, at least!) that deserves all the publicity in the world. If you are a musical theatre fan and have a very open mind, you just have to buy this CD and give it a chance. I think this will especially appeal to Sondheim fans, as they seem to write a little similarly. the melodies are BEAUTIFUL and ingeniously crafted, the lyrics seem carefully handpicked, witty, and genious, and the wacky story line is hilarious at first, and then subdues itself into a more somber touching piece in falsettoland. every actor/actress in this cast is phenomenal! alison fraser is amazing!! just get the CD! please!

Thank God... (and William Finn/James Lapine) for this!
How can I tell you how much I adore this musical? It's impossible to put into words how delightful this musical REALLY is! All the lyrics are tinted with a certain taste of raw emotion, sarcasm, wit, irony, and many devices blatantly lacking in some of the Thoroughly Mediocre productions we now have currently playing in theatres everywhere. Young musical writers should look to ingenious Mr. Finn for how to write a great musical. A friend once told me not to buy this saying... "Oh, It's really only for homosexuals." As a straight man, I can't comprehend this! It's such a movie musical... both the story of Jason and his father, and the sorrowful tale of the loss of Whizzer. This musical (two in one actually...) has everything a musical should have: a steady and believable plot, unforgettable characters, humor, pathos, catchy yet intelligent music, and heart.

Powerful musical theater
These two shows are essentially character and relationship studies told through song. There is little plot other than the establishment of four or five key characters. The music is wonderful, but the lyrics are amazing. They are so dense with wit and pathos that I think attending this show live without the libretto you would miss much of what was packed in those lyrics. Sitting in my living room with the (very small print) libretto was a fantatastic experience. While some have said the second show, Falsettoland, is a bit weaker, from a musical perspective I think it is stronger with several outstanding melodies. These are not musicals to play as background music. If you like setting aside an hour and sitting down and and having a completely involving musical experience, buy this. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

A compilation for various occasions
Whether you are an alumnus searching for your college fight song, or a sound booth technician for your local Pop Warner League, this CD is perfect for all people. I myself am a high school student who is sampling fight songs in hopes of coming up with one with which i can switch some words to create a new school fight song. This has all the favorites, from such sing-a-longs as "Rambling Wreck" and "The Victors" to the classics and standards like "Fight The Team" and "The Notre Dame Victory March." Plain and simple, this CD has the college fight songs to fire up any crowd.

Wow! This is brand new!!!!!
I like this music because it's the best band music ever played. I like this also because of the song Bough Down To Washington. I also like the Wisconsin fight song. This is so new! I've never had this before. This is highly recommend to anyone who likes fight songs done by university bands.

Meh
I thought that most of the selections were well done, but there were many flaws. USC's fight song? Their fight song consists of three notes played in the same order over and over again. Though I love that Fight for California showed up high, I was annoyed to see UCLA's fight song which was brutally ripped off from Cal's "we three sons of california". And the recording was absolutely awful.

Good, but not outstanding
The compositions are definitely good, but like another reviewer said, they're not played with the fire and enthusiasm of the originals. Typically, this means that the orchestral flow is not as "fluid" as the live band -- this composition tends to pronounce every note clearly (very staccato-like). If you're interested in only one fight song (from your alma mater, for example), you're better served to go to that university's website and order their marching band's CD. But, if you want a good overall list of cross-country fight songs, this is pretty good. It includes lyrics with each fight song, but be sure to double-check them with the actual words. A couple (California, and Ohio State) were a bit incorrect.

Good but Incomplete
Some excellent fight songs but why would the fight song for Rice be included and not the one for Florida State University? ... Read more

Reviews (3)

black watch awesome
this cd is awesome i tell you people need to get this cd since it is boot stomping dancing music it is the best cd i own now and look forward to getting more cd's from amazon

Beautifully Done
As a competition pipeband player, I was a little skeptical of a military band, but this was very nicely done! They give a nice lineup of tunes and they spice it up with added instrumentation on a majority of the tunes. I particularly like what they did with Amazing Grace at the end of the CD. Be sure to pick up the DVD too. Seeing the band play at the various sites is priceless.

"Pure Class"
If you are a lover of bagpipes , as I am, this is the BEST cd you will likely purchase in a VERY long time!

The content and selection of music is superb and very enjoyable , as it was to see them live at perth recently!

Thankyou for bringing this class of cd to my attention. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo first started in 1947 with some spirited displays of army piping and dancing. Since that time the show has grown to become a world class act, unfortunately losing some of its traditional elements along the way. The word "Tattoo" is a corruption of the Dutch "Doe den Taptoe" which literary means "turn off the taps", a reference to when a lone drummer would play a "tattoo" or drum roll to signal the inkeeprs to stop serving beer and to summon the troops back to barracks. This ceremony was performed by the British while they were in the low countries during the early 18th century, but it is a custom common to many armies of that time, in particular the various German princeapalities of the day. Over time the Tattoo evolved into a more elaborate affair as more bands and musicians were drawn into its fare. What we have here is the modern development of the form started in previous centuries. The Edinburgh Tattoo is justly famed for its display of massed pipes and bands, and while the recording quality here is not the best, the listener can still get a good idea of the spectacle produced. The original recording of this 1972 show was recorded by EMI, but this version is a knock-off cut that was done by a small American record firm, and which since has been sold about in various forms as a popular item. It is unfortunate that we don't have a better version of the show for listeners than this. The Tattoo produces a recording every year, as well as a video which can be obtained by contacting the Edinburgh Military Tattoo via their website which can be found using any search engine. The good thing about this recording is that it does provide a glimpse of the show in its heyday, where modern fluff and show biz influences had not crept in as much as they have today. For this reason this CD is worth having, and serves as an introduction to this great pageant of the Scottish regiments and the British army. Even though the show is watered down today with pop elements, the grandeur is still there when the massed pipes and drums march out onto the castle esplanade playing the grand old tunes. Even the politically correct producers can't ruin this grand sight, and its hoped they never will!

Not like being there, but a good appetizer
The producers and engineers for this CD are to be commended for the remarkable quality they obtained on this outdoor recording! While not quite like being there, it does convey the spirit and energy of the Tattoo.

Pipes and Drums: Amazing Grace
I love the sound of the pipes for this one song, and is my favorite. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Simply a Fun Set of Marches
In the 5th grade, I tried out for Little League. My desire to play baseball was not rooted in any love for the sport. I thought my father wanted me to play a sport. I was so great at the tryouts; he said some memorable words to me. "Tim, I think you ought to stick with playing the clarinet." I am sure he was trying to spare me humiliation on the athletic field. Little did he know he was starting my love affair with music, a far greater gift.

Perhaps because I was in the school band, I gravitated toward marches, and this collection of marches conducted by Arthur Fielder was one of the first recordings I purchased (6th or 7th grade I believe). At the time (the mid 1970's) it was only available on LP. As soon as the CD was available, I purchased it for nostalgic reasons. This collection had many popular marches such as the Grand March from Aida, Stars and Stripes Forever, Pomp and Circumstance, as well as some lesser known marches. This was one of the collections that piqued my interest in orchestral music. Though the marches could probably best be termed "light classical," it was an introduction to more serious music. Many years later I used this same recording when I taught as background music during art or spelling lessons. Again, it served as an introduction to more serious music.

This is not a complicated set; it is simply a little jewel that is a joy to listen to and a fun addition to a music collection.

Great Marching Music
Even though I am a Yankee I still love "Dixie." This is great music for pre-school children and those just entering school. I think it helps build character. I like this album.

Great
I have had this tape for years and it just got torn, so I have to replace it immediately because my granddaughter, age 3, also loves it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

German Band Music --- "Beer Garden" Style
If you're looking for heavy full-range German march music, this is probably not the album for you. Also, the recording quality is a bit tinny here and there, especially in the recording of the "Deutschland Lied." As my heading implies, the perfomance style is much lighter and is more like what you'd hear at a local Oktoberfest beer garden. The music is, on the whole, still enjoyable and the vocals are also on the light side. Back in the late 1950s through the early 1990s, the radio station KTYM broadcast German music programs on Saturdays and Sundays hosted by Fred Schell and Peter Teichmann. On their programs, they played music that sounded much like what you'll hear on this CD. While I don't think of this music as something you'd march to, it is the kind you'd relax to while sipping from your bierkrug and enjoying a Thueringer bratwurst or Muenchner wiesswurst and a side of sauerkraut with friends. On Sundays when I was a kid, my dad would barbeque on the porch. We kids would play in the yard while his German friends would sit in the shade enjoying their beer and listening to this music played on the portable stereo set my dad brought outside on a LONG extension cord. I'm still in the habit of listening to this music on weekends. It still brings back some nice memories.

While the recording quality is wanting here and there, I think you'll find this collection of traditional German music relaxing and pleasing. You would do well to puchase this album used on Amazon, as I did. And, for those of you who understand German: "In der Not schmeckt das Wurst gut ohne Brot!" ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Looking at the release date makes one cringe, but good album
Trust the distributor to release this compilation on 9/11 of all days!! However it is still a good collection of America's best patriotic music. Favourites include 'Yankee Doodle' and the national anthem 'Star Spangled Banner'. A fine album for proud Americans ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Foward March!America's Great Marches
FORWARD MARCH!IS A NATIONAL TREASURE!

THE 17 GREATEST AMERICAN MARCHES? THEY ARE RECREATED ON THIS NEW CD BY THE U.S. ARMY BAND, "PERSHING'S OWN".

FOR 130 YEARS THESE 17 NATIONAL MARCHES HAVE "INSPIRED US, MARCHED TROOPS INTO FORMATION, CELEBRATED OUR NATIONAL PRIDE", AND ENTERTAINED US IN CONCERT. NOW FORWARD MARCH! SHOWCASES AMERICA'S GREATEST PATRIOTIC MARCHES-EACH MARCH WRITTEN WITH PRIDE BY AN AMERICAN AND PERFORMED FLAWLESSLY IN EVERY SENSE BY THE U.S. ARMY BAND UNDER LEADER AND COMMANDER COLONEL GARY F. LAMB.

COL LAMB HAS INCLUDED THE MARCHES THAT I THINK WOULD MAKE ANYONE'S "A LIST", SUCH AS OUR NATIONAL MARCH, SOUSA'S "STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER" AND THE ESSENTIAL "WASHINGTON POST".BUT SINCE A CONSTANT 120 BEATS PER MINUTE "MARCH TEMPO" CAN BECOME MONOTONOUS(IF YOU'RE NOT MARCHING!), COL LAMB HAS INCLUDED THE COMPLEX (AND DIFFICULT!) "COMMANDO MARCH" BY SAMUEL BARBER(WHOSE MUSIC WAS USED IN THE MOVIE PLATOON) AND THE VERY SLIGHTLY SLOWER PACED "WASHINGTON GRAYS" , THE OLDEST MARCH IN THIS COLLECTION(1861) TO CHANGE THE PACE-LITERALLY. "WASHINGTON GRAYS", LIKE "COMMANDO MARCH" IS A CONCERT MARCH. IT HAS MANY CONTRASTS IN MOOD AND DYNAMICS, WHICH COL LAMB AND THE BAND DEMONSTRATE SUBERBLY, USING ANY OPPORTUNITY THE MUSIC PRESENTS FOR CREATING CONTRAST AND INTEREST --VERY IMPORTANT WHEN THE CD CONTAINS ONLY ONE GENRE! EACH MARCH IS TREATED WITH THE SAME CARE AND IN SOME PASSAGES ALMOST REVERENCE. VIRTUOSITY IS EFFORTLESS---THE HARD SOUNDS EASY! EXAMPLES ARE THE FAMOUS PICCOLOS IN "STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER" , AND THE BARITONE/FRENCH HORNS(HEROIC INSTRUMENTS!) AS THEY ENJOY THE HIGH TESTOSTERONE OPENING FANFARE OF "THE VIRGINIANS" (THE LATTER MARCH IS THE YOUNGEST IN THE GROUP(1992), BUT IT CLEARLY DESERVES MEMBERSHIP.)

"THE CHIMES OF LIBERTY", "NATIONAL EMBLEM", AND "AMERICANS WE", WERE CLEARLY COMPOSED WITH NATIONAL PRIDE ---AND ON THIS CD THE PREMIER MUSICAL ORGANIZATION OF THE U.S. ARMY PERFORMS THEM WITH PARTICULAR PRIDE .

THESE "GREAT 17" MARCHES, OUR NATIONAL MUSICAL TREASURES, ARE HONORED ONCE MORE, AND INSPIRE US ONCE MORETHANKS TO THE SKILL AND DEVOTION OF THE U.S. ARMY BAND AND IT'S LEADER COLONEL LAMB.WELL DONE SOLDIERS!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND FORWARD MARCH!
RON BOWERS

Forward March!
FORWARD MARCH! is an enjoyable and stimulating album which provides an unusual mix of traditional marches and not often heard compositions.

The United States Army Band is magnificent in its superb technical presentation of the broad spectrum of music contained on the CD and that unquestionably makes it worth acquiring.

Altissimo! Recordings once again educates listeners, as it did in HAIL TO THE CHIEF, by exposing them to pieces which have historical as well as musical significance. It carefully points out those works which are parade marches versus concert marches --- describing the Washington Graysas the "forerunner" of the latter.

The documentation which accompanies the CD provides a brief but tantalizing sense of who or what prompted the composition.Consequently, a far better appreciation for each selection is the result.The overall effect is a noteworthy collection of thoroughly enjoyable music for all to hear!

FORWARD MARCH! is a must for those who enjoy the uplifting of spirit which the march as a style of music provides!
... Read more

Reviews (3)

An intense tour of our solar neighborhood
This is my absolute favorite PLANETS recordings. The best movement would have to be Mercury, and following that would be Uranus. Of course, the other movements are also the best of all other recordings I've heard. You can't go wrong with this CD!

Standard reading of Holst's masterpiece
Bernstein's performance of "The Planets" is fairly standard, and while there are many remarkable moments (Saturn and Uranus stand out above the rest), his choice of tempos at some points is bizarre (Mars is way too fast, and lacks any real vitality or menace. If you like Mars at this faster tempo, Ormandy's recording with Philadelphia is much more menacing). If you are looking for a good recording of "The Planets," I would recommend Dutoit's performance with Montreal or the London Philharmonic conducted by Adrian Boult (the man who conducted the work's premiere) before this one.

Holst: Planets, Elger: March--Need I say more?
I mainly listen to Holst, but I liked Elgar on this CD, too. If you've never listed to Planets you missed out on a whole new world of music. I always felt Holst was a very visual composer, and this is no exception. The recordings are good, and I liked the way they did Jupitor. A good buy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Woody Guthriecomposed "This Land Is Your Land" in 1940 as an answer toKate Smith's version of"God Bless America," which he had heard countless times on car radios and oncafé jukeboxes during a cross-country hitchhiking trip. Now that numerousversions of "God Bless America" have been released since September 11, it'sfitting that Guthrie's song should be resurrected as well. This Land Is YourLand: Songs of Freedom is a collection of folk songs drawn from the vaultsof Vanguard Records, and includesCisco Houston's versionof "This Land Is Your Land," along with selections by performers like theWeavers,Ian & Sylvia,Judy Collins, andOdetta. Two of thetracks--Joan Baez's liveversion of "The Times They Are a-Changin'" and theChambers Brothers' sombertake on CurtisMayfield's "People Get Ready"--are released here for the first time. Most ofthe songs were composed during the urban folk revival of the late 1950s andearly 1960s, and even though tracks like "Get Together" and "The UniversalSoldier" seem embarrassingly naive today, on balance the selections exhibit ablend of compassion and complexity. --Michael Simmons ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Uplifting
I have this cd and I love it!This is indeed a very moving piece.
Not quite as personal as the Alan Jackson smash " Where Were You(when the world stopped turning)".However just as deserving of radio support as the AJ composition.And just as moving and sincere!

Randy's flawless delivery gives this beautiful text the exact required impact the words intended. Great work one and all!

This should have been the song radio put it's support behind since it was in support of our country being attacked that the story line addressed.But like much of Randy's work of late, another fine effort goes unsupported by today's mainstream country radio.Thus missed by so many who never got to hear this moving piece and this man's work. A true "travesty"...pun intended!

One word Awesome
This cd is unbelivable. I can not bealive this has not been on the radio yet. Randy Travis does an excellent job with both tracks. America will always stand is Patriotism at it's best. It is Definitly up there with David Balls' Riding with Private Malone. It also stands with Aarron Tippon's Where the stars and stripes. Just a little "FYI" Doug Stone also has a great song on his new album wich can only be found at his website called P.O.W. 369 wich is Definitly worth checking out. The second track is Point of Light is from 1991 my guess is this was a song intended for Dessert Storm. This is again simply Awesome. ALL the proceeds and royalties goes to the American Red Cross. To sum it all up in one word this cd is Awesome. It is Definitly worth the money. ... Read more