The Better Angels of Our Nature

Brian McCarthy

Label: Truth Revolution Records
Released: 2017
Views: 2,018

Track Listing

The Bonnie Blue Flag; Battle Hymn of the Old Republic; Shiloh; The Better Angels of Our Nature; Battle Cry of Freedom; Weeping, Sad and Lonely; I Wish I Was in Dixie's Land; Of Freedom; All Quiet Along the Potomac To-Night.

Personnel

Brian McCarthy: alto and soprano saxophones; Bill Mobley: trumpet, flugelhorn; Daniel Ian Smith: tenor and soprano saxophones; Stantawn Kendrick: tenor saxophone; Cameron McManus: trombone; Andrew Gutauskas: baritone saxophone; Matt Aronoff: bass; Justin Kauflin: piano; Zach Harmon: drums.

Album Description

Preface “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” In 1861, Abraham Lincoln addressed a nation that was divided and on the brink of civil war. Despite knowing the war could not be avoided; Lincoln took the platform of inauguration to make one last, very human appeal to the better angels of our nature. This project explores a time before jazz existed, but a time that was crucial to its existence. Out of America's history of slavery, racism and discrimination, jazz music emerged from African American culture. I believe Jazz truly represents one of the better angels of our nature. And although the context is historical, America is still very connected to the issues present during the Civil War. Our past is not yet past. -BMack