Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno has put together a multi-disc collection, "Songs Of America," that will be released this fall. The set aims to take our younger generation through a musical journey through American history. Sadly, Janet will not fufill our hopes and dreams by singing herself, so we'll settle for acts like Andrew Bird and Danielson.
The epic Songs Of America will span over three discs, which will include over fifty songs total. The discs feature artists from the older generation such as Janis Ian, John Mellencamp, Marah, Martha Wainwright, Blind Boys of Alabama, Bettye LaVette, and Old Crow Medicine Show along with younger artists including Devendra Banhart. Some of the songs that will appear are "Yankee Doodle", "Go Down Moses", "Battle Hymn of the Republic", "Home on the Range", and "The Times They Are A-Changin'".
Yes, Reno is truly takin' it old school, I haven't heard "Yankee Doodle" since I was in 3rd grade..... no joke.
Janet (Ms. Reno if you're nasty), spoke on the albums direction via press release, "The historical detail of the songs fascinated me and I suggested that Ed [Pettersen] record a whole album of songs focusing on key periods in American history, in order to tell our story to young people who might find joy in learning history through music."
Here's a portion of the tracks included (click the link for more)
Earl Bullhead - "Lakota Dream Song"
Julie Lee - "Once More Our God Vouchesafe To Shine"
Blind Boys of Alabama - "Let Us Break Bread Together"
John Wesley Harding - "God Save the King"
Elizabeth Foster - "Young Ladies in Town"
Malcolm Holcombe - "The Old Woman Taught Wisdom"
Ed Pettersen - "The Liberty Song"
Harper Simon - "Yankee Doodle"
The Wilders - "Jefferson & Liberty"
Steven Kowalczyk-Santoro - "Hail Columbia"
Take 6 - "Star Spangled Banner"
Beth Nielsen Chapman - "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child"
Freedy Johnston - "Peg and Awl"
BR549 - "Sweet Betsy From Pike"
Will Hill and Jehnean Day Washington - "Trail of Tears"
Minton Sparks and Pat Flynn - "Declaration of Sentiments"
Fisk Jubilee Singers - "Go Down Moses"
Mavericks [ft. Thad Cockrell] - "Dixie's Land"
Marah - "John Brown's Body"
Pitchfork Media
