I dislike being bribed, but I also dislike appearing ungrateful. My son (most of you know him -- he's writen a review or two of his own in this space) gave me a CD for Father's Day with the comment, "I though you'd like this since it combines two of your passions." Then he added, "A review would be nice."

What a quandary! He knows I like Celtic music (a taste I inherited from my son) and Civil War history. He also knows I don't like writing reviews.

The recording in question is Derek Warfield's Sons of Erin and is a compilation of Irish songs, ballads and music of the American Civil War. Warfield, leader of the legendary Wolfe Tones for more than 35 years, is also a singer, songwriter and historian. Produced by Warfield in Westmeath, Ireland, in 2000, the recording is nearly 80 minutes of toe-tapping music on 20 tracks.

If there is any criticism of this CD, it's not with the music, but rather with the 32-page booklet that is included. There are nearly eight pages of history of the Irish in the Civil War -- a most interesting chapter in our history -- but the print is so small, it is impossible for anyone over the age of 30 to read. The lyrics, which comprise the rest of the booklet, are equally impossible to read.

In the mid-19th century the Irish were as patriotic as any immigrants to America and were proud to take up arms to fight for their adopted land. Some historians say as many as 500,000 sons of Irish heritage bore arms in the Civil War. Whether they wore blue or gray, these Sons of Erin brought with them from their native land the love of a good fight and a love of music.

Part of the charm of this CD is Warfield's unique voice -- it's so Irish, but not in the manner of, say, the Irish Tenors. For the most part, Warfield accompanies himself on his mandolin. There are other instruments and voices at times, but there is no clue in the liner as to who or what.

While listening to Warfield's music on this recording, it's equally easy to picture yourself sitting in a pub in Ireland of an evening or sitting around a Civil War campfire after a hard day's battle. This opinion was reinforced while doing a little research on Warfield. After his years with the Wolfe Tones helping to keep traditional Irish music alive, his new passion is American Civil War music and he performs at various Civil War events and places like Gettysburg.

Several tracks are traditional Irish tunes with the words adapted to Civil War situations. References are made to specific people and battles. For example, the tune "Wild Rover" becomes "The New York Volunteer." Another track is titled "Meagher is Leading the Irish Brigade," while another tells the story of "Pat Murphy of Meagher's Brigade." "The Wearing of the Gray" obviously is taken from "The Wearing of the Green."

Whether you're looking for traditional Irish music or Civil War tunes, this recording has a lot going for it. I highly recommend it.

[ by Bill Knapp ]
Rambles: 29 June 2002