Authentic Irish-American music of the American Civil War interpreting the history of an Irish Brigade Regiment through the songs they sang and the songs that were sung about them.

14 MP3 Songs
WORLD: Celtic, FOLK: Traditional Folk



Details:
The 28th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was composed principally of Irish immigrants and descendants of Irish immigrants. The Regiment fought through the bulk of the Civil War as part of the famed Irish Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. This CD is intended as a tribute to the brave men of the 28th, their families, their deeds, their culture and their legacy. It cannot be a complete history of the 28th. Such a task would be daunting. But it will serve to open windows into the lives, the struggles and the exceptional character exhibited by these ordinary people living in extraordinary times. All the songs on this CD are Civil War era compositions or traditional tunes in existence during the Civil War era. There are no modern musical compositions on this CD. Thus, their story is told through the words they wrote, the songs they sang, and the songs that others sang about them. Listen, read and come to know them better.

The CD contains a 40 page informative booklet including lyrics and history of each song as well as the importance of each song in interpreting the History of the Irish-American experience in the Civil War. Since the release of this CD in June of 2003, The Gallant Sons of Erin have received critical acclaim for both their live performances and their innovative CD.

No Irish Need Apply was named the 8th best CD of 2003 by the Celtic Connections Radio Show presented by Emerald Productions in Middletown Connecticut.

The Gallant Sons of Erin are:

Todd Bryda (bodhran and vocals) is an Assistant Professor of History at Northwestern Connecticut Community College. He holds an M.A. from UMass, Amherst, in History with specialties in the American Civil War, 19th Century Irish History, and Jeffersonian America. Todd has been a Civil War reenactor since 1990 and presently serves as Captain of the 28th Massachusetts, Company K. He is married to Pam Kingsley-Bryda.

Caitlin DeAngelis (whistles and vocals) is a student at Brown University where she is pursuing an undergraduate degree in History and American Civilization. She has been an active Civil War Living Historian since 1993. Along with Meg Galante-DeAngelis, she has been a co-presenter of a paper "Take Your Gun and Go: Images of Women in Civil War Music" at the National Conference on Women in the Civil War.

Dave DeAngelis (banjo and vocals) holds an MLS and MSEd from Southern Connecticut State University and works as a School Library Media Specialist in the Shelton, CT school system. Over the years he has appeared in folk music venues around Connecticut, sharing songs with a nautical theme, and was a featured performer at the Mystic Sea Music Festival (held annually at the world famous Mystic Seaport Museum) in 2001. Civil War living history has become a natural extension of Dave's affinity for researching and performing traditional and nineteenth century composed music.

Mark DeAngelis (guitar and vocals) is an Assistant Professor of Business, Law and Society at the University of Connecticut. He is completing his Ph.D. in Political Science at UConn. Mark and his wife, Meg Galante-DeAngelis, daughters Caitlin and Brighid, and sons Ben, Graham and Wheeler, have all been active in Civil War living history and music since 1993. Mark's area of academic study includes the examination of the plight of the marginalized in American society, including immigrants. He is a member of the 28th Massachusetts, Company K and the Columbia Rifles.

Mark Lapointe (guitar, percussion and vocals) was born and raised in Amesbury, MA. He has been a performing singer/ songwriter for the past 20 years. He became interested in the Civil War during the early 1990s while pursuing a music career in Nashville, TN. He began reenacting in 1995, and is a member of the 28th Massachusetts, Company K. Mark is dedicated to keeping alive the memory of those who wrote and sang these songs during one of the most pivotal times in our history.

Bill Meehan (bass, percussion, and vocals) is a middle school teacher and holds a Master of Education degree. He is also an author of children's novels. His latest novel, Amulets of Acacia, is a regional best seller for Barnes and Noble in Southeastern Massachusetts. Bill is a Civil War reenactor and member of the 28th Massachusetts, Company K.