Additional Information about Acoustic Shadows of the Blue & Gray ™

Since July 4th, 1995, the Acoustic Shadows of the Blue & Gray ™ have focused on presenting America’s traditional music in a way that is fresh and exhilarating. The group is accustomed to performing for audiences of all sizes—from those found in the concert hall to the intimate setting of the fireside sing-along.

 

While the songs that you will hear being performed by the Acoustic Shadows of the Blue & Gray ™ are the songs that were heard during the Civil War, you are not going to hear them exactly as they would have been experienced in the 1860s. As is often the case when performing music from different eras, interpretation plays a key factor in the arrangement of the music. Because the Acoustic Shadows of the Blue & Gray ™ regularly perform for many diverse audiences, the members of the band have thus strived to present the music in a manner that reflects the modern listener’s sensibilities and expectations.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS :

 

What kinds of songs were sung during the Civil War?

It is often surprising to many people to learn that a lot of the songs they have been singing for years were either composed or performed during the Civil War era. Songs like Oh Susannah, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Dixie, and Amazing Grace are all songs that were commonly sung back then as they are today.

 

What is an acoustic shadow?

An “acoustic shadow” is a phenomenon whereby a sound, such as the “thunder” of artillery during a battle, can be clearly heard far in the distance and yet be unheard by observers closer to the source. In a sense, the music from the Civil War era is projected across the distant shadows of time to this day and age as the Acoustic Shadows of the Blue & Gray ™ .

 

Are you playing authentic instruments?

Not exactly. Our group performs with mostly the modern counterparts of many of the instruments commonly used during the Civil War era. Harry and Greg each play twentieth century banjos—Harry in a toned-down three finger style as is commonly associated with Bluegrass or Scruggs-style while Greg performs in an old-time clawhammer style with a touch of the minstrel-era stroke style. Bill plays a modern guitar with a great booming bass which fills in the lower registers of our orchestration. Of Walt’s various wind and percussion instruments, his fife is an accurate reproduction of the fifes that were used during the Civil War era.