Presidential Campaign Songs: 1789 - 1996
Presidential Campaign Songs: 1789 - 1996
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
From George Washington through Bill Clinton, Presidential Campaign Songs celebrates American barnstorm serenades in all their dubious glory. As anyone who's witnessed a political rally can testify, pols aren't artists--and don't tend to have an appetite for understatement or elegance, as proved by the likes of "Get On a Raft with Taft" (rather a dicey metaphor for 27th president William H. Taft, given that he weighed more than 300 pounds) and "Keep Cool and Keep Coolidge" (for prez No. 30, Silent Cal). But no matter. Folk patriarch Oscar Brand knows his stuff and brings verve to some hoary but charming ballot anthems. Brand, who released a collection called Election Songs of the United States in 1952, decided to update the record in 1997, adding the likes of "Buckle Down with Nixon" and Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" (Bill Clinton's baby-boomer stump staple) to a repertoire that includes "Huzzah for Madison, Huzzah" and "Grant, Grant, Grant." Extensive liner notes make this package particularly appealing to history buffs. --Steven Stolder
Product Description
*Attack ads*, *character assassinations*, and *spin doctors* are not new in American Presidential campaigns. Before radio and television, campaign songs were written and published to transmit similar ideas and influence voters. This collection includes one song from the campaign of every President, from George Washington to William Clinton performed by folk singer Oscar Brand and recorded in 1998. Set to marches and popular tunes, accompanied by banjo, guitar, percussion, and wind, these songs present some of the enduring themes of American political campaigns and the events that have influenced them. Includes "Follow Washington," "Jefferson and Liberty," "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too," "Lincoln and Liberty," "Grant, Grant, Grant," "Roosevelt the Cry," "I'm Just Wild About Harry," "Buckle Down With Nixon," "California Here We Come," "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" and 33 others. For ages 9 and up, 69 minutes, extensive notes. "One of the most thoroughly unique folk records released in 1999, Presidential Campaign Songs is also a thorough and unique look at America's political history…. An important and well-crafted historical document, Presidential Campaigning Songs educates and entertains in equal measure." -Heather Phares, All Music Guide
Presidential Campaign Songs: 1789 - 1996,Oscar Brand,Smithsonian Folkways,Canada,Folk,Folk & Traditional,Folksongs,Pop,Traditional Folk
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Presidential Campaign Songs: 1789 - 1996
Oscar Brand Manufacturer: Smithsonian Folkways ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
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| Music
Traditional Folk
| Folk
| Styles
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Canada
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General
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ASIN: B00000IWN9 Release Date: 1999-05-18 |
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Amazon.com
From George Washington through Bill Clinton, Presidential Campaign Songs celebrates American barnstorm serenades in all their dubious glory. As anyone who's witnessed a political rally can testify, pols aren't artists--and don't tend to have an appetite for understatement or elegance, as proved by the likes of "Get On a Raft with Taft" (rather a dicey metaphor for 27th president William H. Taft, given that he weighed more than 300 pounds) and "Keep Cool and Keep Coolidge" (for prez No. 30, Silent Cal). But no matter. Folk patriarch Oscar Brand knows his stuff and brings verve to some hoary but charming ballot anthems. Brand, who released a collection called Election Songs of the United States in 1952, decided to update the record in 1997, adding the likes of "Buckle Down with Nixon" and Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" (Bill Clinton's baby-boomer stump staple) to a repertoire that includes "Huzzah for Madison, Huzzah" and "Grant, Grant, Grant." Extensive liner notes make this package particularly appealing to history buffs. --Steven StolderAlbum Description
*Attack ads*, *character assassinations*, and *spin doctors* are not new in American Presidential campaigns. Before radio and television, campaign songs were written and published to transmit similar ideas and influence voters. This collection includes one song from the campaign of every President, from George Washington to William Clinton performed by folk singer Oscar Brand and recorded in 1998. Set to marches and popular tunes, accompanied by banjo, guitar, percussion, and wind, these songs present some of the enduring themes of American political campaigns and the events that have influenced them. Includes "Follow Washington," "Jefferson and Liberty," "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too," "Lincoln and Liberty," "Grant, Grant, Grant," "Roosevelt the Cry," "I'm Just Wild About Harry," "Buckle Down With Nixon," "California Here We Come," "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" and 33 others. For ages 9 and up, 69 minutes, extensive notes. "One of the most thoroughly unique folk records released in 1999, Presidential Campaign Songs is also a thorough and unique look at America's political history…. An important and well-crafted historical document, Presidential Campaigning Songs educates and entertains in equal measure." -Heather Phares, All Music GuideCustomer Reviews:
Oscar Brand's Election Song Tribute Wins Comfortably.......1999-07-19
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