Wow. You did some serious research on that. It just figures that the one tune you wanted wasn't on that CD, doesn't it? I'd be interested to learn if the Camp Chase rendition of "The Minstrel Boy" is what you're looking for. Thanks for the update, M.
Terry
__________________ "In this great struggle, this form of Government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies succeed. There is more involved in this contest than is realized by every one." Abraham Lincoln - August 18, 1864 Speech to the 164th Ohio Regiment
I 'think' it will be the same as Gettysburg's movie piece 'The Minstrel Boy.' I saw a 'tattoo' on YouTube but, it was poor quality and recorded far off by an audience member.
What is so sad, is that The Minstrel Boy wasn't recorded by those recording sound of the movie--as well as to have a joint corps playing The Minstrel Boy...thus giving it more 'meat' per se.
I was contacted by the US Army Band and my E-mail has been forwarded to the fife and drum corps located at Ft. McNair; They do the Washington's era fife and drum corps music. Now, if we can only get them in Civil War garb. [Grins]
I might get some 'pluck' and write to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon and see if they're interested in getting a full strength Army on the fields of Bull Run/Manassass. Reenactors, bless them all --lack the numbers. But, wouldn't it be wonderful to assemble the Civil War strength of humanity for both sides and reenact with the reenactors, cannons, music--everything? Be neat to have actual Generals on the field and then record their responses and views through their eyes. [Has big ideas and a pauper's purse]. I saw somewhere in Fairfax County's Library, it mentioned that the US Army participated in such a reenactment as far as strength, tactics and such somewhere around mid 1950s to 1960's. It would surprise me one bit, if General Eisenhower had created such--as President. He was a student/fan of the Civil War.
In the movie; Gods and Generals the steam locomotive is from the Virginia & Truckee Railroad (Colorado/Nevada) area. It is a Baldwin Locomotive from the era, as well as period box cars and such. I know from my father's research on area railroads, the cars were deep green and the locomotives were a deep maroon base or a very deep blood bay as far as horses go in referencing color. The fact that they didn't 'cover' the V&T RR logo on the tender--means that they didn't think someone would catch it wasn't Virginia Central Railroad which operated about that area. [I have been lazy on finishing cataloging and creating a photo album of my father's photographs of railroads, interurbans, etc.] But, Virginia Central Railroad operated in this area and connected with the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad. (Potomac =Washington & Alexandria). Orange & Alexandria RR operated from Alexandria west through Virginia and Manassass Gap Railroad operated around Chantily, Manassass and spurs east and west. A railroad grade exists in Annandale, VA but, never saw any ties or rails--war interrupted. The remainder of the unfinished railroad runs through Manassass/Bull Run battlefield. My Dad would know more about these things but, he is deceased now. Several of his photographs are in railroad books written by H. Harwood and Ames...although credits were given to others (Dad gave pictures to the employees of Washington & Old Dominion RR and that is how they got into the books).
Hey ME: Thanks for your post and your evaluation of the music above. I sense you were or are a musician from your comments. I've listened to both versions and being an ex-drummer myself I kind of came to the conclusion that the music in the movie was dubbed over the the footage of the music being played on screen. It sounds like only 2 or three field (snare) drums being played instead of the 7 or 8 drummers present in the scene. There are about 7 fifes in the movie, but maybe 2 or 3 perhaps in the music. They sound a little "scattered" with a few bad notes or "squeaks" heard in that scene. That was probably how it actually sounded in 1863 though, so it's pretty accurate IMO.
The CD, track 12, is the full complement of fifes and drums, as far as I can tell. More of a cavernous type acoustic, giving the drums more of a low rumble. Also there is a bass drum being played on the CD, which is not in the movie. The snares are looser on the field drums giving them a bigger, looser, rolling sound... sort of like a steady low thunder. The Gettysburg dubbed drums have tighter snares and produce more of a clean rat-a-tat-tat sound. Brighter, cleaner, tighter. The fifes on the CD are together and precise...no wrong notes that I heard.
I enjoyed both versions very much, but my favorite would be the Camp Chase CD. The drums sound more authentic, and more like what I played in high school (68-72). I think their sound would be closer to what you might hear in a CW era fife and drum corps. With the movie though, you have the visual effect of the soldiers gathered for a solemn pray with the Chaplain, with the musicians playing, and that's pretty stirring as well.
Anyway, for what it's worth.
Good luck with your contacts at the Pentagon.
Terry
__________________ "In this great struggle, this form of Government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies succeed. There is more involved in this contest than is realized by every one." Abraham Lincoln - August 18, 1864 Speech to the 164th Ohio Regiment
Last edited by william42 : 02-21-2008 at 06:46 PM.
Sorry--not a musician but, I have the heart and ear for music--must have gotten it from my paternal grandmother; who was an organist for a church in Baltimore, Maryland.
So, you hare way beyond me as far as knowledge of playing drums. I have had an opportunity to attend a 'tattoo' at the US Marine Barracks, at 8 & I, SE Washington, DC. Escorted by a Marine with Class A uniform and gloves--so, that whole experience forever etched in my memories. My father as a boy met J. P. Sousa, so Dad played a lot of marches. Knowing that you are a drummer--your wisdom is beyond value. I like as authentic as possible.
Do you know what sort of matterial the drummers of the Civil War played on? Not that plastic stuff you see on drums and such--Has to be some sort of membrane looking at old photographs and rope to adjust the tension. And, would there be two different sounds per drum?
Even with today's technology, every drum has a different sound. I have a pretty good ear, but it takes a real drummer to differentiate. Kinda like the difference between a Strad and an Amati.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Also, its my understanding that every fife has its own voice, regardless if its a twin or made from the same piece of wood. The same with organs (pipe/reed).
In looking at new television sets today--even they have their own pictures that are different from one another. [My 35 year old TV's tuner is going bad]
I'm just glad William42/Terry spoke up about The Minstrel Boy differences in Gettysburg movie and the Camp Chase fife and drum corps CD. I'm watching the mailbox--eager to hear it.
The CD, track 12, is the full complement of fifes and drums, as far as I can tell. More of a cavernous type acoustic, giving the drums more of a low rumble. Also there is a bass drum being played on the CD, which is not in the movie. The snares are looser on the field drums giving them a bigger, looser, rolling sound... sort of like a steady low thunder. The Gettysburg dubbed drums have tighter snares and produce more of a clean rat-a-tat-tat sound. Brighter, cleaner, tighter. The fifes on the CD are together and precise...no wrong notes that I heard.
Terry[/quote]
Terry, I played the movie Gettysburg, and I did see a drummer who had a base or bass drum in the scene as it begins "The Minstrel Boy." It really is a sneak peek at it between the men who are playing but, its something that doesn't position itself like a snare drum and those seen forward in the picture.
I finally got my CD from the Camp Chase with the song; "The Minstrel Boy." I think I would have preferred the fifes in soprano instead of a few going alto for a few notes. But--its wounderful and am enjoying the band's work.
Terry, I played the movie Gettysburg, and I did see a drummer who had a base or bass drum in the scene as it begins "The Minstrel Boy." It really is a sneak peek at it between the men who are playing but, its something that doesn't position itself like a snare drum and those seen forward in the picture.
I finally got my CD from the Camp Chase with the song; "The Minstrel Boy." I think I would have preferred the fifes in soprano instead of a few going alto for a few notes. But--its wounderful and am enjoying the band's work.
ME, I missed the bass drum in the movie. I don't think it was common for a fife and drum corps during the CW to have a bass drum, but it's very possible that there were some groups who did one. I thought the fifes on the Camp Chase CD were soprano but then I'm not that familiar with fife music. So which version did you personally like the best? Which drum sound did you like? Thanks for the feedback on the movie.
Terry
__________________ "In this great struggle, this form of Government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies succeed. There is more involved in this contest than is realized by every one." Abraham Lincoln - August 18, 1864 Speech to the 164th Ohio Regiment
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