Recorded as a tie-in with editor s book of the same name (itself published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict), presents 33 tracks on two discs performed by a variety of folksingers including . s book has words and music for more than another 90, but this subsection is a representative sampling of the kinds of songs that were inspired by the war, nearly all of them written during the era. ( s recently composed is the exception.) Some remain well-known, such as and while others haven't been heard much in the ensuing century. Some were written by professional songwriters like or , but many have unknown origins. The styles range from marching songs (note that all the best-remembered ones seem to be marches) to sentimental ballads, and the subject matter from general statements of patriotism to specific accounts of historical events. (Both recount the story of the sinking of a wooden Northern ship by the first Southern "ironclad.") More present the Yankee than the Confederate point of view, but the Rebels do get their say, from the stirring to the slyly humorous The singers, accompanying themselves on folk instruments, sing in rough harmonies with untrained voices, providing a convincing approximation of what the songs may have sounded like when they were originally sung. 's notes place the songs in context, and the overall package makes for an unusually entertaining piece of aural history. ~ William Ruhlmann