Search - Various Artists :: Songs of the Lincoln Brigade

Some info and my opinions of the album:

helson | Henderson, Nevada, USA | 11/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am only commenting on the 1st 12 songs in the album. Those were the original and only songs on the 33 RPM record released in the late 1940's or early 1950's.The Lincoln and International Brigades fought in the Spanish civil war in the 1930's. The war was a lose-lose situation, the anti-fascists (mainly socialists or communists) on the one side fighting the fascists on the other side. The fascists won, thanks to the help of the Nazis who used the war to test their airpower and other weapons prior to World War II.The Lincoln Brigade was made up of American volunteers who fought against the fascists. The International Bridages were made up of volunteers from other nations. Thus, the songs - the first 6 of which are in mainly in English, German and Spanish - have themes relating to freedom, liberty, comradeship (the type that soldiers have for one-another, not the communist variety), army life, fighting, and so on.It happens to be one of my favorite recordings which is why I am commenting on it. The enjoyment of the music is greatly enhanced by understanding German and/or Spanish. However, it is not necessary. The fact that the anti fascists lost and that the Lincoln Brigade was looked down on by American society, makes the music very poignant. The songs are the type that stir the emotion.Ernst Bush sings the first 6 songs, the next 6 are sung by well-known folk artists, including Woodie Guthrie and Pete Seeger."

Lest we forget

bellebeaker | Brookline, MA United States | 06/04/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was given the LP version of the Songs of the Lincoln Brigade as a 16th birthday present too many years ago to count. I grew up knowing friends of my parents who had fought in Spain and for whom the war was a vivid memory. It should be remembered that the Spanish Civil War was viewed by many as a "rehearsal" for WWII and that the "bad guys" won it. For those with an interest in 20th Century history, and particularly in the conflict between fascism and socialism, the collection is well worth owning. I would also recommend George Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia" as a literary companion to the music. Be forewarned however, the disc has not been remastered and is as scratchy as the LP."