One of the most thoroughly unique
folk
records released in 1999,
Presidential Campaigning Songs: 1789-1996
is also a thorough and unique look at America's political history.
Folk
singer
Oscar Brand
sings campaign songs for each president, from
"Follow Washington"
to
Clinton
's campaign theme,
Fleetwood Mac
's
"Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow"
(simply titled
"Don't Stop"
on
Mac
releases). Along with tracing America's political currents,
Presidential Campaigning Songs
also documents the changing importance of songs in a campaign. The earliest songs, like
"For Jefferson and Liberty"
and
John Q. Adams
'
"Little Know Ye Who's Coming,"
reflect the newness of the U.S. and how fresh the struggle for liberty was in people's minds at the time. Similarly, the songs from the Roaring '20s era, such as
"Keep Cool and Keep Coolidge"
Warren G. Harding
"If He's Good Enough for Lindy"
evoke the decade's free-and-easy prosperity. An important and well-crafted historical document,
educates and entertains in equal measure. ~ Heather Phares