The Civil War: Complete Work [Cast Recording]

It always amuses me when people slam Wildhorn on the "period" issue. No, they did not sing rock music during the 19th century. However, 'Les Miserables', 'Miss Saigon', 'The Phantom of the Opera', 'AIDA', and 'EVITA' (to name a few blockbusters) are as guilty as Frank's works of not being true to the "period" they are in. I would like someone to name 5 musicals that are true to their "period". It's a ridiculous argument that has NO merit.

I can understand why 'The Civil War' flopped on Broadway, but we are not discussing the Broadway show, we are discussing the concept album, which is wonderful.

I would rather have had this recording be a concept of the Broadway or Houston cast myself (I'm sick to death of Eder), but what they've lined up here is impressive and beautiful. Favorites of mine include, "Tell My Father", "Virginia", "A Candle in the Window" (even though it's Eder), "Father How Long?", and "The Honor of Your Name", to name a few. This cd is highly enjoyable throughout.

The narrative performances (especially by Garner and Glover) are truly moving and wonderfully set to some really beautiful background music. They are something that should not be skipped over, as they tell a piece of a great American story.

I've always felt that people overly attack Wildhorn. Yes his shows have been flawed, but no more flawed than "AIDA" (or far less flawed than AIDA I should say) and "Hairspray" - two of the biggest hits that are certainly not above "Jekyll", "Pimpernel", or "The Civil War". Yes, Wildhorn is no Schonberg, Sondheim, or even an ALW - but he is not nearly as bad as people claim. For some reason he is a target of those who think they are somehow superior when it comes to theater opinions!

Bottom line - if you want a recording you will enjoy - by this!

I'm not a Country Music Fan. I do love musicals however. There is a huge difference in styles. We wanted to buy the CD with the broadway style we heard at the show not to listen to Trisha Yearwood or Travis Tritt. The difference is most notable in the song "Northbound Train." This was one of the most energetic and powerful songs of the show. Unfortunately, the version that is sung by John Popper on the CD exhibits the classic country style with its slow, twangy, annoying screeching which passes for singing in Nashville. My apologies for my extreme comments but I hate to think that people who didn't have an opportunity to see the musical on stage only have this version available to them.

Buy the CD but start a petition to have a Musical CD made. And, why do they say this is the Cast Recording?? I didn't see this musical on broadway. Did Trisha Yearwood and Travis Tritt perform on Broadway with this show?