THE TRAIL BAND: Voices From The Oregon Trail

The Trail Band

Voices From The Oregon Trail

© 1992 Trails End Productions / Ross Productions (796041000122)

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The Trail Band is comprised of 8 great NW folk & early music musicians (including Quarterflash's Rindy Ross) who re-create the story of the Oregon Trail experience through folk ballads, marches, hymns, diary readings, and rousing fiddle hoedowns.

tracks

1 The Land At Eden's Gate
2 Oregon Bound
3 The Old Pine Tree
4 The Trail Band Medley
5 Lord Haddo's Favorite
6 What We Left Behind
7 Native American Medley
8 Eden's Gate March
9 Down At The River
10 Men of the West
11 Pickers Choice
12 Farther Along

notes

The Trail Band is an 8-piece ensemble that creates an energetic blend of brass and string arrangements of traditional and original music featuring five great vocalists including Quarterflash's Rindy Ross. Hundreds of public and private appearances across America and Japan, plus seven successful albums have established The Trail Band as the premiere historic music ensemble from the Northwest. Cornet, tenor horn, tuba, fiddles, hammer dulcimer, guitars, penny whistle, mandolin, piano, saxophone, spoons, bones, drums, bass, and recorders combine with their rich vocal harmonies to create a diverse tapestry of sound inspired by 19th century music.

Formed by Marv Ross in 1991 at the request of the Oregon Trail Council to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the trail, the band initially performed music exclusively from and about the era of the Oregon Trail with costumes, diary readings, traditional folk tunes, marches, hoedowns, and Native American melodies. Titled, Voices From The Oregon Trail, this performance piece has been the keystone of the band's repertoire for 10 years.

In 1998 The Trail Band was presented the Meritorious Achievement Award by the Oregon-California Trails Association.In 1999 producer Marv Ross was presented an Alumni Award of Excellence from Western Oregon University for The Trail Band's contributions to history, education, and music. The Trail Band's two albums of Oregon Trail music have been licensed by Oregon State Tourism, The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, The End of the Trail Interpretive Center, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and countless school districts.

In 1994 The Trail Band created a new show, Christmas With The Trail Band - a holiday concert reminiscent of the parlour orchestras and townsquare brass bands of the last century. Originally produced as a television special for Oregon Public Broadcasting, this concert has become an annual tradition for thousands of concert-goers in the Northwest.

In 1998, the band presented a new show and album, Immigrant Dreams, featuring music and stories of those who came west to America from Ireland, Scotland, Romania, Mexico, France, Spain, Greece, and other countries during the turn of the century. In 1999 The Trail Band debuted a new show and accompanying album, Lewis & Clark, and in 2001 the band released it's seventh recording, a Christmas album titled, Making Spirits Bright.

What The Critics Say About The Trail Band


"... an absolute must!"
Victory Music Review

"...sparkling ensemble interplay..."
Marty Hughley, The Oregonian

"A stellar cast of musicians... delightful arrangements..."
Tim Casebeer Willamette Week

"...nothing short of remarkable." Nancy Helsabeck, Siuslaw News

"The Trail Band sang like angels and played like virtuosos…"
Fred Crafts, Eugene Register-Guard 12/98

"... will perk up your spirits, cause you to dance, and make you feel good to be alive." Sam Richardson, Music Sidelines

"In the last of 5 sold-out performances, the eight member group put on an exuberant, classy and wide-ranging display of original tunes and fresh arrangements of tradtional folk and acoustic music that delighted the crowd with humor and musicianship." Lynn Darroch, The Oregonian

"One can only express a sort of wonder toward the uniqueness of a band that incorporates antique brass instruments and resounding vocal pitch..." Ryan Parker, The O.S.U. Barometer

"The band's music is good-natured, harmonious, and certainly retains it's own individuality." John Foyston, The Oregonian

"The Trail Band could be Oregon's happiest musical accident. It was formed specifically to perform during a historical play commemorating the Oregon Trail just for 1993. Luckily for us, the band stayed together, recording five fine CDs and playing some of the sweetest-sounding traditional and old-time music you're likely to hear anywhere."
The Oregonian 4/98

"Happy, homespun... a delightful old-fashionedy sound, from spirited fiddles to a spritely brass ensemble..."
Eugene Register-Guard

"The Trail Band brought the capacity audience to it's feet more than once. They are just incredibly skilled and great entertainers, too."
The Patrice Press, Tuscon, Arizona

reviews

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  • Voices from the Oregon Trail
    author: Gerry Massey, (Sheriff:ret.)

    I thoroughly enjoyed the music. I had the honor of leading the wagon train from The John Day River to the Deschuttes River through Sherman County in celebration of when Oregon became a state in 1999. They retraced the Oregon trail from St. Joseph, MO. I played the album on the loud speaker from my patrol car. Everyone enjoyed it and were dancing to the music as the wagon train passed by them. Stories, music and instrucments were all delightful.

  • Big thumbs up from students!
    author: Amy-3rd Grade Teacher

    I ordered this cd for my class to listen to while we had our very own pioneer quilting bee! The music was great and the students loved the environment that it helped create as they imagined themselves to be back in 1857!

  • CD brought our unit to life!
    author: Margy Callaghan, Teacher of the Gifted

    I found this CD on line in the middle of a 5th grade unit on Westward Expansion.It was shipped to me in ONE day! Kids loved the songs and wanted to sing them even after the unit was over. The teacher lesson plans you sent were so well done. Thank you for making the unit of study come alive with the voices of the people that lived the Oregon Trail!

  • Thanks for the Voices of the Oregon Trail CD. The children enjoyed the stories t
    author: Michele

    The CD was delivered overnight, as I had asked for, and we were able to listen to it before we "headed out on the trail". Thank you for the thoroughness put into delivery, and the superb "voice" in the transactions following the order.

  • makes me want to tap my foot and sing along
    author: Dave Yerges

    These songs take me to a time when life, though not physically easier was more exciting. The only reservation I have about this CD is the Native American songs. I realize that they are important and belong to the time period, but they just do not appeal to me. Other than that, great songs.

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