Songs of the Soldier

Songs of the Soldier

With the recording of "Songs of the Soldier" by the U.S. Army Chorus, the United States Army created a marvelous musical package which is now a part of the Altissimo! Catalog, assuring that the Army's musical heritage is preserved for all future generations. And through its continuing strong support of the U.S. Army Chorus, one of the last bastions of professional male choral singing in America, the Army has clearly demonstrated its commitment to the future musical horizons yet to be accomplished in the field of military music.

If there is one word to describe "Songs of the Soldier" it would be "enthusiasm." The Army Chorus doesn't just sing these military songs, the members - both the singers and their outstanding duo accompanists - actually attack these songs with an enthusiasm which is infectious. The listener cannot help but be swept away by the excitement and sincerity with which this outstanding chorus presents each and every selection.

While the majority of the music presented with such enthusiasm is composed of military unit marching/drinking songs, the CD offers even more. It begins, for example, with a strong, straight forward arrangement by Sergeant Major Robert Petillo of "The Star Spangled Banner."

The National Anthem is followed by 15 tracks, each featuring a song from either the Airborne Infantry, the Infantry, Armor and Cavalry or the Field Artillery. Interestingly, two of these - "Tropic Lightning" (Track 10) and "Hit The Leather (Track 14) - were written by Meredith Willson, composer of "The Music Man" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown."

The performance highlights of the album are reserved, however, for Tracks 17 & 18, songs from West Point. The first, "The Corps," was initially performed at the 1902 dedication of the Chapel at West Point, and this arrangement and its performance take the listener back to the days of the old national college glee club contests of the 20s, 30s and 40s.

"Benny Havens, Oh!" (Track 18) is the emotional and musical highlight of this CD and it, alone, is worth the cost. The tavern known as Benny Havens is located in Highland Falls, NY and is the favorite place for cadets to toast the Army and their comrades. This setting alone, by the director of the Army Chorus, Major James Keene, and featuring baritone soloist Sergeant First Class Bob McDonald, reinforces the US Army Chorus' reputation as America's finest professional male chorus.

Because of the emotion of the performance of "Benny Haven's, Oh!" the concluding tracks (19-26) are a bit of a let down, not because of the chorus itself which infuses everything it touches with its infectious enthusiasm, but rather because some the arrangements simply don't hold up to the rest of the album. "The Ballad of the Green Berets" deserves a far better setting than here displayed, the Peter Wilhousky setting of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" which has served the Mormon Tabernacle Choir so well over the years simply doesn't translate well as transcribed for male chorus, and the CD concluding performance of "The Army Song" appears to be more of an after thought than being the highlight it should have been.

However, nothing can diminish the fact that this Altissimo! CD is an absolute must for the collection of anyone who loves American military music in general, the Army in particular, and the thrilling sound of a genuinely outstanding professional male chorus - The U. S. Army Chorus!
June 2, 2007

A Tribute to Soldiers That Spans Generations

Bravo to Altissimo Records for producing this recording. If not for their work, many of the selections on this CD would soon be forgotten, and then lost forever.

While several of the selections are familiar, many of the songs are Division or Unit specific, with the words and music known only to those who were a part of the Big Red One, or a Screaming Eagle. This recording preserves a small portion of the music that was well known to generations of warrios past - and makes it possible to be heard by generations to come. The US Army Chorus, as always, performs magnificently, powerful when needed as in the Star Spangled Banner, somewhat nostalgic in Dogface Soldier and The Corp, and a bit lighthearted in Yellow Ribbon. A personal favorite was The Battle Hymn of the Republic, and though it is performed in a somewhat standard arrangement, the song still manages to be fresh and powerful.

The use of piano accompaniment in lieu of a full orchestra is a perfect pairing for this recording. The songs presented are simple songs that were sung by soldiers, not professional entertainers.

I recommend this CD to fans of military music, and to American history buffs, as the songs are the songs of the American Soldier, as he (and she)fought for this country. Not all history is written in books - some of it is preserved in song, as this recording proves so well. May 16, 2007

Exceptional performances of military vocal music

What a pleasure this recording is! The U.S. Army Chorus is a fine vocal ensemble, and this recording presents a good program of vocal music associated with the U.S. Army.

The arrangements are straight forward with little variation and ornamentation in the respective melodies, although the arrangement of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" is a tour de force in vocal arrangement and performance.

I would have liked to have seen more varied instrumentation in the accompaniment - the ensemble performs with two pianists -but, in all of the selections, the musicianship and singing are exceptionally good. Altissimo Records specializes in military music, and this is a fine new recording in their list of releases.

This release is a must for libraries that collect choral music and military music. Individual music buyers who enjoy fine choral performances will not be disappointed in this release.

Stephen Pomes -- MMS Library - New Orleans, La.
May 15, 2007

Songs of the Soldier

An excellent selection, both expressing and reflecting, the spirit of our America through the words and music of our fighting men.
The new Altissimo CD titled "Songs of the Soldier" carries us through our country's history enriched by the magnifcent voices of the U.S. Army Chorus. May 7, 2007

Classic Songs of Army Units

Songs of the Soldier - U. S. Army Chorus

With a nation at war, this new CD is a musical tribute to the "ground-pounders" who are bearing the brunt of the fight for the freedom of 25 million Iraq citizens and protection of the U. S. homeland. Music has always been a means for our Armed Forces to express pride in their military units and Services. From the oldest of our National melodies, Yankee Doodle, to a more recent, beautiful classic, The Ballad of the Green Berets, this new CD is the finest collection of Army songs ever produced, and sung magnificently by the Army Chorus; a must for every military music aficionado (and aficionada, of course), for every patriotic American, and for those collectors of theme songs of military units. Go Army!

C. W. "Bill" Getz
Lt. Col. USAF (Ret)
Editor/Publisher "Songs of the Air Force" May 3, 2007

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