Danjerus Music Productions | new songs of the civil war, americana, original music,danjerus

Hardtack & Saddlesores: New Songs of the Civil War. CD. 72 min. Prod. by Privates by Choice. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2011. ISBN unavail. $14.
Gr 7 Up–The five person musical group, Privates by Choice, offers a hauntingly beautiful collection of new and traditional Civil War songs on this superb CD which will appeal to historians, students, and everyone who loves music. Beginning with the sounds of roaring cannons and concluding with the traditional tune “Abide with Me,” the 21 songs (16 are original) tender a history of the war. “Lone Jack” recounts the story of a bloody battle with numerous causalities of men and horses. “Casualty of War” and “A Veteran in a New Field” tells what war did to men and the challenges they faced when returning home. Other songs provide information about battles such as Stones River and the soldiers of Kentucky’s Orphan Brigade, and recount tales of carpetbaggers and scalawags. Guitar, violin, mandolin, cello, and dulcimer are crafted to perfection, and the vocals are seamless. Teachers who deal with students tuned to iPods can utilize this CD to teach the Civil War in an exciting and innovative manner.–Patricia Ann Owens, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, Mt. Carmel

"In this entertaining collection of songs, a merry band of six musicians, known as the Privates by Choice, has cobbled together old classics and new songs inspired by the common soldier and his experiences during the American Civil War and Reconstruction.

This lively collection will leave listeners entertained, and teachers might well utilize them in their courses."

Civil War History Vol. 58 No. 4 December 2012

Danjerus Music Productions and Tune-A-Taco Records have a new CD release, titled Hardtack & Saddlesores, a collection of newly composed acoustic/folk songs about the American civil war during this 150th four year period anniversary.

The ensemble's six writers and musicians all have Kentucky roots,except for one Missouri boy. All well seasoned musicians with credits, credentials and recordings that have graced many public radio station programs during their careers.

Instruments featured are guitar, mandolin, violin, hammered dulcimer, cello, mountain dulcimer, bass and some light percussion in various combinations. Contained in this collection are both vocal and instrumental selections with a 4:1 ratio of newly composed works and a handful of short traditional arrangements and performances compiling 21 tracks of music.

It doesn't contain another rendition of "Dixie" or "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", but you will hear an excellent sampling of new material with a cool taste of creativity dipped from the well of American history. Some stories have been waiting to be told, along with other fine instrumental compositions and performances that stand on their own merit.

Several of the songs are about Kentucky topics during the war such as The Orphan Brigade and Sue Mundy. We've attempted to give a fair amount of subject matter and themes to both sides of the war & the song list is in chronological order.

Below is a list of locations where the CD's may be purchased. More will be added to the list as the CD's are now being distributed.

The Lincoln Museum - Hodgenville, KY

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park - Hodgenville, KY

The Hardin County History Museum - Elizabethtown, KY

Harpers Ferry National Park Bookstore - Harpers Ferry, WV

The Oaks House Museum - Jackson, MS

The South Carolina State Museum - Columbia, SC

Sandhills Music Center - Fayetteville, NC

The Mercantile - Glendale, KY

City Center Gallery & Books - Fayetteville, NC

The Hart Co. Historical Society Museum - Munfordville, KY

Old Bardstown Village Civil War Museum of the Western Theater - Bardstown, KY

Gettysburg Museum and Gift Center - Gettysburg, PA

Kentucky Artisan Center - Berea, KY

Plan 9 Music - Richmond, VA

Plan 9 Music - Charlottesville, VA

Perryville Battlefield State Park - Perryville, KY

Lone Jack Battlefield Museum - Lone Jack, MO

West Point, Kentucky History Museum - West Point, KY

Cumberland Gap National Park - Middlesboro, KY

Mill Springs Battlefield Museum - Nancy, KY

Fort Washington National Park - Fort Washington, MD

Conner Prairie Interactive History Park - Fishers, IN