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Shenandoah (variations 1)
By an Amazon.com customer
The Nature Of America: A Musical ImpressionThe Nature Of America: A Musical Impression
Buy new: $17.98 / Used from: $2.27
Non-vocal rendition by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Simple yet sweeping. Poignant and picturesque. Classic orchestral presentation. (Could easily place it on a movie soundtrack.)
The Wide World Over: A 40 Year CelebrationThe Wide World Over: A 40 Year Celebration by The Chieftains
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $0.99
Van Morrison joins the Chieftains and offers his unique folksy voice.
My AmericaMy America
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $36.74
Instrumental version featuring tuba and guitar.
Chanticleer: A PortraitChanticleer: A Portrait by American Traditional
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $5.98
Male a cappella choral ensemble. Memorable traditional version with rich harmonies. Stirring evocation of bittersweet longing. A lump-in-throat, tear-in-eye & remembering heart with every listen.
Journey HomeJourney Home
Buy new: $15.99 / Used from: $8.00
Instrumental featuring harp and flute.
Morning Has BrokenMorning Has Broken by C.S. Heath & Jonas James
Buy new: $7.98 / Used from: $4.33
Piano and acoustic guitar in mellow but not melancholy rendition.
Over the Sea to SkyeOver the Sea to Skye
Buy used from: $4.77
All male Washington Men's Camerata offers this traditional a cappella choral version.
Piano SuitePiano Suite by Christopher West
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $10.49
Solo piano. Improvisations weave to and fro of the original recognizable tune. Blends nicely.
ReflectionsReflections by Acker Bilk
Buy new: $10.98 / Used from: $6.67
Sound of yore with orchestra instrumental.
The Very Best of James GalwayThe Very Best of James Galway by James Galway
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $4.04
Orchestral string ensemble accompany flutist James Galway in somewhat saccharine instrumental rendition.
The American TenorsThe American Tenors
Buy new: $8.98 / Used from: $0.34
Tenor voice trio with orchestration.
Blue WheatBlue Wheat by Stephen Foster
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.95
A very nice mixed chorus presentation with the Dale Warland Singers. Gentle and simple.
SanctuarySanctuary by Adagio Trio
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $1.26
Instrumental version with harp, flute and cello. Traditional rendition. Relaxing listening with slight tug of melancholy.
Choral AdagiosChoral Adagios
Buy new: $17.98 / Used from: $8.75
Traditional vocal interpretation with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Freedom: A History of UsFreedom: A History of Us by Various Artsits
Buy used from: $0.73
Poetic teaming of Jerry Garcia with David Grisman to offer a gentle folk-fiddle vocal version of this classic.
Classic CountryClassic Country
Buy new: $12.98 / Used from: $5.65
Countryfied instrumental version with harmonica featured.
The Three BellsThe Three Bells by The Browns
Buy new: $207.49 / Used from: $150.00
Lovely, harmonious folk vocal version by this mixed voice trio.
Ballad of America Volume 1: Over a Wide and Fruitful LandBallad of America Volume 1: Over a Wide and Fruitful Land
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $2.82
Folk vocal ballad with a voice described as a "human cello".
American AcousticAmerican Acoustic by Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumbel
Buy used from: $3.81
Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel offer a new age-ish, instrumental version with acoustic guitar and oboe. Slightly improvised, although works nicely remaining true to tune.
Sentimental ManiacSentimental Maniac by Geoff Gibbons
Buy new: $15.99 / Used from: $3.15
Very gentle folk-pop-jazz lite-nearly-new-age vocal rendition.
How The West Was Won: Original Motion Picture SoundtrackHow The West Was Won: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Buy new: $24.98 / Used from: $49.87
Soaring, orchestral with choral presentation. One can nearly burst with the imagined smell of high plains air and view of rolling hills!
Homeland: A Prayer for PeaceHomeland: A Prayer for Peace by Bill Douglas
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $6.89
The Ars Nova Singers choral group provide a beautiful rendition with piano, strings. Very gentle and relaxing.
The GoldebriarsThe Goldebriars by The Goldebriars
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $9.74
Folk/pop (with a nod to bubble gum!) by small mixed voice ensemble.
Of Those Now GoneOf Those Now Gone by Michael Hanna
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $49.21
Solo piano instrumental with improv.
The Brethren of the Long HouseThe Brethren of the Long House by Riot
Buy used from: $12.51
Vocal rendition with rock singer restraint.
Just for the Record: The Golden VoiceJust for the Record: The Golden Voice
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $3.76
Sopranic opera voice of Marilyn Horne offers an earnest and very lovely traditional ballad rendition with choral accompaniment.
Song of AmericaSong of America by Charles Naginski
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $7.37
Well known opera baritone-light vocal.
RISING TIDERISING TIDE
Buy used from: $1.58
Unusual instrumental rendition with a bit more lively style featuring electric double harp.
Sea MusicSea Music by Dan Zanes & Festival Five Folk
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $5.95
Male vocal, folk sound accompanied by 12 string guitar. Fairly traditional version.
Man in the MoonMan in the Moon by Sleepwalker
Buy used from: $0.67
Very different vocal rendition with a nod to rock and (dare I say...) Goth-lite. Give it a listen.
The Melody at Night, With YouThe Melody at Night, With You by Keith Jarrett
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.13
Solo piano with improvisation blending nicely.
American Favorite Ballads, Vol. 1American Favorite Ballads, Vol. 1 by Pete Seeger
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $9.97
Makes sense Seeger did a version. A cappella folk vocal with a touch of background banjo.
Down in the GrooveDown in the Groove by Bob Dylan
Buy used from: $3.12
Also makes sense Dylan did a version. Different than many other folk renditions on the lists.
Fields of PromiseFields of Promise by Dave Crossland
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $0.01
Very nice vocal folk rendering with acoustic guitar and violin. Traditional ballad treatment of tune.
Good Dog, Happy ManGood Dog, Happy Man by Bill Frisell
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $7.89
A very nice, instrumental (guitar) extended piece. Relax and enjoy the lilt and drift of the easy improvisations.
WoodSongsWoodSongs by Michael Johnathon
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $12.53
Gentle folk vocal with a nod to bluegrass.
Patchwork QuiltPatchwork Quilt by Peggo & Paul
Buy used from: $8.50
Very folksy vocal version featuring female voice. (Hear also similar "Hello Stranger" by Lesley Schatz.)
Guitar TracksGuitar Tracks by James Alan Shelton
Buy used from: $7.99
Instrumental bluegrass version.
Say You Love MeSay You Love Me by Vox One
Buy new: $15.99 / Used from: $36.72
A cappella mixed voice ensemble. (The Grains of Time group has a very stirring a cappella version somewhere out there on an out-of-print compilation.)
Definitive New Christy MinstrelsDefinitive New Christy Minstrels by The New Christy Minstrels
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $15.39
Mixed voice ensemble provides folksy ballad version.