Get on Board: Underground Railroad and Civil War Songs, Vol. 2 (CD - 2007)

You might think that in this time of equal rights, songs like these aren't needed. But although this music, which commemorates the struggle for civil rights and the underground railroad that helped slaves escape to freedom, might not be timely, a lot of it is important to the history of America, as the second volume in this series shows. Kim & Reggie Harris, along with a number of guests, tackle music that's both familiar ("Oh Mary, Don't You Weep," "Down by the Riverside") and unusual ("Done wit' Driver's Dribbin'," "Old Tar River"). For the most part the arrangements are straightforward, but "Ballad of the Underground Railroad" offers some lovely banjo playing, while "Row de Boat" brings in a couple of young rappers to offer a contemporary touch that's really just an extension of history. Unsurprisingly, the overall sound is gospel, but stripped down and performed with real passion and often jubilation, since this is, after all, the music of freedom. You could consider this an important document of times and places, but it's more than that -- it's also a real celebration of African-American culture. ~ Chris Nickson minimize