Track Listing

1. Why I Love Her
2. The Pledge of allegiance
3. The Hyphen
4. Mis Raices Estan Aqui
5. The People
6. An American Boy Grows Up
7. Face the Flag
8. The Good Things
9. Why Are You Marching, Son
10. Taps

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3511 in Music
• Released on: 2001-11-27
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
This best-selling recording was performed by the legendary John Wayne. It's finally available as Duke’s spoken-word CD of poetry, written by Big John Mitchum. It's a must-have for all patriotic Americans, film buffs, collectors and poetry fans.

Amazon.com
This sentimentally over-the-top spoken-word recording was originally issued in 1973, during the height of Watergate and the final, unsettling days of the Vietnam War. In the wake of September 11, 2001, the John Wayne Estate reissued it on CD. And why not? Marion Morrison, a.k.a. John Wayne and the Duke, remains an enduring symbol of America--a country with an endlessly conflicted legacy of largely improvised symbolism, national myths, revised-on-a-dime history, and the freedom to make a buck on effusive patriotic rhetoric. Kitsch collectors may welcome the chance to own a true genre staple in digital sound, while others may yet find genuine solace in its orchestra-and-choir-backed oratory. With a poetic sensibility that seldom strays from the "Carolina pines/Appalachian mines" level of its opening verses, Wayne's processed voice (which betrays the health problems that would be his demise) expounds on topics that range from his homeland's undeniable natural beauty to his son's high school football career and the wisdom of a fictionalized aging Mexican caballero. The would-be idealism in "The Hyphen" aims to erase ethnic and racial boundaries, yet modern hyphenated Americans may find continued prejudice and the vagaries of history have rendered its rhetoric distinctly double-edged. Still, Wayne's love of country emanates from every track. Patriotism may be the last refuge of scoundrels, but it's been graciously hospitable to Hollywood icons, from the Duke to Dutch Reagan. --Jerry McCulley

From the Artist
Folks: All of my life I've felt privileged to have had good friends around me, privileged to have been able to do the kind of work I know and love the best, and to have been born in a country whose immense beauty and grandeur are matched only by the greatness of her people. For a number of years I have tried to express a deep and profound love for these things; to be able to say what I feel in my heart. And now, in this album, I've had the chance to do so. I know most of you feel the same as I do about our country. Now and then we gripe about some of her imperfections, but sometimes that's good. Especially if it gets us working together to make things better. it seems to me we often take too much for granted, and have a tendency to forget "The Good Things About America." My hope and prayer is that everyone know and love our country for what she really is and what she stands for. May we nuture her strengths and strengthen her weaknesses so that she will always be a "Land Of The Free, and Home Of The Brave." Sincerely, John Wayne

Customer Reviews

America, Why I Love Her
My late father, John Mitchum wrote nine of the ten poems on this wonderful CD.He was nominated for a Grammy in 1973 when the album first was released.
John Mitchum was able to hear about the strong response to the re-release of the CD November of 2001 before his passing. Both of the "John's" were heartfelt patriots with a deep love for our country.
The title poem, America,Why I Love Her has been used in opening
ceremonies for rodeos, state fairs, NASCAR events, as well as military and private meetings.
With the wave of patriotism that has taken over the country, a campaign has begun to have the timeless piece of America, Why I Love become our National Poem.
I was told after the awful days of 9-11 that the words on this CD were the healing balm for our country.

Bless all of you who listen to and appreciate John Wayne's interpretation of my father's thoughts.

Simple, Plain-Spoken Truths
There is something reassuring about hearing John Wayne speak the words of Robert Mitchum's younger brother John. The sentiments are simple, yet honestly spoken and obviously from the heart. The familiar and unique cadence of Wayne's voice is as American as a Frederick Remington painting. I first owned this album on cassette in the early 1980's and to find it finally issued on CD during our hour of crisis has been a god-send. I did not always agree with Wayne politically, but this statement of human values will remain a cherished keepsake.

"Why I Love ...." - this CD.
There are so many reasons. The music is inspiring and beautifully arranged. The choir voices too are wonderful. Add to that the uplifting words spoken by John Wayne and delivered full of feeling and in a way only he could do, and you have a formula hard to beat . The whole production is very moving and quite simply amazing to listen to. I am not American but whether you are or not this CD is about appreciating and thinking about our surroundings , feelings and values. It is a very unique work .There has not been anything like it before or since. I bought the LP version for my mother in the 1970's and I think I like it as much as she does - which is alot!We are both delighted that at last it is on CD though our album is still like new .This is a CD that everybody should hear . It really is brilliant from start to finish. Of course it is a must have for John Wayne fans but even if you are not a particular fan it is simply something fantastic to listen to that anybody can identify with . Listen to it and realise the wonders of nature we forget in everyday life - the value of effort and loyalty and doing whats right.