NO, this is not the acrimoniously parted duo, The Civil Wars, but a two-CD collection of songs linked to the Civil War, 32 in all and not a duff one among them.
These are all fresh interpretations of standards, by names old and new. Loretta Lynn gets things rolling with the very fine opener Take Your Gun And Go, John, while fellow old-timer Taj Mahal breathes leathery life into the old gospel song, Down By The Riverside – one of the albums highlights.
The songs are country, blues and gospel, with sparkling bluegrass such as Hell’s Broke Loose In Georgia, performed by Bryan Sutton. Steve Earle joins Dirk Powell on a nicely weathered rendition of Just Before The Battle, Mother/Farewell Mother, while others taking part include Ricky Skaggs, Old Crow Medicine Show, Carolina Chocolate Drops and Lee Ann Womack.
The deep-voiced Jamey Johnson gives resonant life to Rebel Soldier, in which a Confederate soldier pines for his sweetheart. This generally fantastic collection is one to keep.
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