Album Notes

This is the third CD in Matthew Sabatella's acclaimed "Ballad of America" series, which tells the story of the United States through traditional folk songs. "Songs in the Life of Abraham Lincoln" celebrates the sixteenth president of the United States through the music he cherished. Abraham Lincoln was a man of remarkable determination, compassion, honesty, humor, and melancholy. Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band’s traditional acoustic arrangements of his favorite folk and popular songs enable 21st century listeners to better understand the man himself and the times in which he lived.

This is the soundtrack to Abraham Lincoln’s life.

Extensive liner notes tell his story while highlighting his personal relationship to each song:
-His mother’s favorite Old World ballad
-A minstrel song that amused him as a young man
-A campaign song that helped him win the presidency
-A slave spiritual that fueled his compassion
-A Civil War song that was played on a piano in the White House by a general
-Sentimental songs that appealed to his melancholy nature

With vocals, guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass fiddle, mountain dulcimer, and a wealth of traditional folk songs, "Ballad of America" brings the story of the United States vividly to life. Through recordings, live performances, videos, blogs, and an extensive website that ties it all together, Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band inspire people and create connections between them and the people who came before.

NOTE TO DOWNLOADERS: If you choose to download this album, please be sure to read the liner notes to get the background on each song: http://www.balladofamerica.com/music/indexes/albums/volume3.htm