Jed Marum’s Cross Over the River: A Review

In this month’s Confederate Veteran, I had a review printed of Jed Marum’s Cross Over the River CD. As I am not a staff writer, I was surprised to have my review accepted. I had previously had one poem, Deo Vindici, printed by this magazine that has a circulation of 30,000 or so. But to have a CD review printed in it is a big deal. I decided to post that review.

Cross Over the River
In January of 2000, Jed Marum began his year by leaving a lucrative career so he could devote himself to his music. His first year as a fulltime musician earned exactly one tenth of what he had earned the year before. To his credit, he hasn’t looked back, and has built a solid career and reputation as one of America’s premier Celtic musicians and is often a headliner at festivals. His schedule is a busy one—with over 150 shows a year—and the number of shows seems to be steadily growing.
In addition to his intense love for and commitment to Celtic music, Marum has another passion—The Civil War. In our interview, I asked Marum how his interest in the War Between the States began. He said, “Once, I was being interviewed by Sunny Meriwether and she introduced me to her audience as an Irish singer who specializes in writing Civil War songs. I started to object saying that the Civil War was just a passing interest, when I realized that it had been passing for 10 years! That’s when I realized I really wasn’t just dabbling at the Civil War stuff, anymore. It had moved to a higher level.”

The fruit of Marum’s passion for this period of American history is his newest CD, Cross Over the River, a twelve-song collection of Irish and Confederate songs released August 4 of this year. This CD presents some of Marum’s finest guitar picking and original lyrics. His songs have a depth of historical detail and emotion that lovers of Confederate music will love.

I believe Jed Marum is on his way to becoming our foremost Confederate balladeer. There’s something in this CD that stirs the spirit, and just as I was about to suggest the collection would be great music for movies of this period, I found out that Marum has agreed to license two new songs to Lone Chimney Productions for use in their upcoming film, Bloody Dawn. The film is being made for the PBS and History Channel markets and is planned for a 2006 release. The movie focuses on the border wars between Kansas and Missouri surrounding the days of the US Civil War.
The music is acoustic, with Marum on guitar, banjo, and banjola. Musicians performing with him are Jaime Marum on mandolin, Kathleen Jackson on upright bass, Mimi Rogers on fiddle and Ken Fleming on button accordion. Travis Ener and Kathleen Jackson are also featured in background vocals.

The collection’s songs are rich lyrically and musically, and several especially deserve comment. “Monaghan’s Lament,” is a song of an Irish born New Orleans resident, Col. William Monaghan of the 6th Louisiana. The song expresses a soldier’s emotions as he regards a fallen admired leader of one of the South’s most famous fighting units, “The Fighting Tigers.” “One Bloody Friday” is a haunting song, so effectively constructed that it makes the listener feel as if he were riding with Quantrell. “Cross Over the River,” is based on the last words of Stonewall Jackson. With this song, Marum takes us into the soul of a dying hero of the South. In other songs, Marum takes traditional melodies and masterfully creates moving interpretations. For example, I believe Marum’s rendition of the well-known “Shenandoah” to be unique and the best version I’ve heard. “Stonewall of the West” is a wonderful tribute to Patrick Cleburne.

I predict this CD will have strong appeal with Civil War aficionados, reenactors, performers, and anyone who loves good ballads. Just reading the CD’s insert and the background of the songs is an education and it reveals the extent of Marum’s research. Cross Over the River has a large targeted audience and has all the potential for becoming a cult classic. For the musician, Marum has also generously published a songbook containing lyrics and chords for both Cross Over the River and his earlier Civil War CD, Fighting Tigers of Ireland.

Cross Over the River is a collection of original and period music with lyrics that capture the heart of the many Irish and Scots who fought for the South. The CD is a reminder that there are many stories buried in history we have not yet heard, and there are emotions connected to that war that we haven’t yet considered. As a writer, Marum is not only skilled—he is honest. He knows that one’s culture and heritage can be lost, and he is determined to give life to long-silent voices. When those of the past fade from our memory and art, then they are truly dead to us. As long as there are writers like Marum who aren’t afraid to tell the stories, the dead will live on and our heritage will not be lost. The Scots-Irish majority who comprised the Confederate Army deserve the tribute of this CD.
You can purchase Cross Over the River here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/jedmarum6. Read Marum’s bio, hear samples of his music, and keep up with news about him by checking out his website http://www.jedmarum.com/ or from his blog http://www.myspace.com/jedmarumband.

In spite of my resolution to not do so, I have agreed to teach a class or two (maybe even three) at the local universities on Mondays and Wednesdays. I hope I don’t regret it, but as I received the schedule I wanted, I still have Tuesdays, plus Thurs-Sunday to hit the roads and market my books and work with libraries and schools.
Here is a photo of me at the Barnes and Noble in Arlington last Saturday. The manager asked me to read Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House to a group of kids who had come to the store that day.

At the Fort Worth Barnes and Noble, I purchased a CD, No Promises by Carla Bruni.  I liked the samples I listened to, and I thought new music would make my drive back to Louisiana more enjoyable. Bruni, Italian born, is of course one of the great super models who also has a talent for writing music and singing. I was surprised to find that on this CD she had put the poetry of Dickinson, Auden, Dorothy Parker, and Yeats to music.  The CD came with the lyrics and a few very nice photos of this beauty.  The CD had a depth that pleasantly surprised me. As I’m currently working on putting some Southern poems to music, her effort encouraged me. Since Bruni has (and always has had) boatloads of money, this CD must have been produced as art for art’s sake.

Today, I’m going to Minden to meet with the Webster Parish Arts Council. I’ll be in that parish’s schools every Friday in September. My assignment is to teach the children literature (with a Chinese focus).  I plan on sharing some translations of Chinese poetry, teaching them the basic elements of Confucianism and other things related to Chinese culture, and helping them create a nice little portfolio.  It should be a great experience. I’ll close this day’s entry with this Chinese poem that reminds me of an Irish song I like to do, “The Water is Wide.”  I found the poem here: http://www.chinapage.com/poem102.html

To Wang Lun

Li Po takes a boat and is about to depart
When suddenly he hears the sound of footsteps
and singing on the shore.
The water in the Peach Blossom pool is
a thousand feet deep
But not as deep as Wang Lun’s parting love for me

By  Li Bai

I returned last night (Monday) from my latest book-promotion journey.  I signed books at three Barnes and Noble stores–Denton, S. Arlington, and Ft. Worth respectively–and had a grand time. Two of the signings were almost sell-outs. One store had a slow day, but I still managed to sign and sell 15 copies of Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House.  On the way to Denton, I set up a signing at the Books-A-Million in Bossier and in Longview, Texas.  (I might have one at the Barron’s bookstore in Longview as well. I’m awaiting final word on that one.)

I had a hard time getting to Denton. It took me four hours to get through Dallas because of the many wrecks, a bad day even by Dallas standards. I-635 was completely shut down, and if I hadn’t gotten off and circled around it via Beltline Road, I would have been late to my signing. Next time I do a signing in Denton, I’m going to circle around Dallas, even if it means driving an extra 50 miles or so. I figure I’ll still save time. I left the signing and drove to my parent’s house in South Oklahoma, arriving at midnight. I had the other two signings on Saturday, and as I said, they also went well. I spent Saturday night and all day Sunday with my parents, then started back to Louisiana on Monday morning. I have a goal of stopping at 10 places every time I take a trip, and I reached my goal this time–6 libraries, 2 bookstores, and 2 school districts. I made some sales and also set up some presentations for later in the year.

This trip I met many really cool people–some from other states, even some from other countries.  I am truly becoming a gypsy writer.  In the evenings and on Sunday I managed to do some reading and some writing to feed my starving writer’s soul.  The weather was abysmally warm (in the 100’s), but I’d rather drive in the dog days of summer in clear weather than in the rain.

I returned home, finding myself behind in work. So, time to get at it.  If any of my readers have attended one of my signings, I’d like to hear from you. Write me at rickeyp@bayou.com

This may be my last post until Monday, depending on whether I can access wireless Internet  while I’m traveling. I’ll be at the Denton, Texas Barnes and Noble Friday, the Arlington and Fort Worth Barnes and Nobles Saturday. Sunday I’ll spend with my parents. I’ll stop at book stores and libraries on my way there Friday and back on Monday. Wish me luck.  I’ll spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night with my parents in Kemp, Oklahoma.

I had a great day with my grandson Mason today at the Monroe Zoo. I’ll miss him so much, but I know I’ll still see him often in Ocean Springs, MS. after they move.  Lots to do yet tonight, so I’ll sign off now.

Today, I’m doing the grandfather thing and keeping my grandson.  He and I are going to the zoo. It will be my last day to be with him for a while, as he and my daughter and son-in-law are moving to Ocean Springs, MS. next weekend. So, I put my many projects on hold to spend this day with him.  He’ll be with me from 8:00 am – about 2:00 pm when my daughter will pick up when she’s through with work for the day.  I’ll miss them terribly. They already have jobs (there are few really good jobs in the Monroe area for some reason) and a house.  The only good thing about their leaving is that I’ll have a place to stay when I work Mobile and Biloxi and other nearby cities when I do signings.

I rose at 5:00 a.m. today, did a couple of writing exercises, and finished reading a short story in the New Orleans Noir collection.   This afternoon after Mason Alexander Shelby has left me, I’ll make phone calls and set up some more appointments for signings and programs. I must also contact those I work with at Pelican. They are so overworked (and I know they have MANY books to worry about and I only two) and I hope to set up as many appointments as I can without interfering with their assigned work.

I had a good day yesterday: I went to Minden to research the historical play I’m writing, set up a signing at the Bossier City Books- -A-Million for Saturday, Sept. 22, and I also set up programs for two of the Bienville Parish libraries on Tuesday, Sept. 4.  If I can set up a couple of appointments every day, then I’ll have a very full year.

If you’re interested in a no-nonsense book that will help you improve your health, here’s one you need to read. It will soon be available from Booklocker Publishers, http://booklocker.com/

Maintaining Your Health and Vitality: A Health Guide
for Seniors and Their Families
By
John T. Fodor, Ed.D.

Fodor’s book provides a wide-range of well-documented health information and practices with easy to follow health guidelines designed to help you to maintain your health and vitality and improve the quality of your life. Each chapter includes reliable references and additional sources of health information and services.

I’ve also tried to include a pic here of Tom and me. We are in a Scots-Irish band.

It looks like I’m back to my early morning writing and writing work schedule. I was most fruitful when I did that, and I’m going to try to hold to it. I rose at 4:00 a.m. and was at KTVE, Channel 10 by 5:30 for my TV interview with Angela Cruz.  Betty Neatherly, the librarian of the Ouachita Valley Library was also with me. She is hosting the Book Talks for the library. The interview went very well. The library is located at 581 McMillan Road, West Monroe, LA 71294 and their phone is (318) 327-1471.  The program is schedule to begin at 6:00.

Last night, I finished editing Angelic Upstarts, a novel by Eric Chapman. In genre, it is a Utopian novel, with a unique African-American focus. I’ve honestly never seen anything like it. Chapman is a skilled writer, and he provides sharp insights into both Black and White American culture, asking and addressing many of the questions related to race that many are afraid to ask.  In the tradition of the Dystopian and Utopian novelists, he  looks into the future and asks  relevant “What if . . .” questions.  I think his novel has the potential  of stirring thought and  motivating individuals, especially African-American readers.  Chapman’s novel is a philosophical, rich in historical allusions, and generally a  heady read. At 600 plus pages, it is not one for the faint of heart, but if you like to think, this uniquely structured novel will open your mind.

The life of a writer is full of little ironies and juxtapositions. We must be magnets that draw those coincidental events and experiences. Anyway, I was editing a new writer’s manuscript, and listening to Zipless by Vanessa Daou, when I heard this song, which I recognized as a poem of Erica Jong.  Here it is. Appropriately, it is called, “Sunday Afternoons.” Though written from a female point of view, I still can identify with some of the lines.
Sunday Afternoons

I sit at home
at my desk alone
as I used to do
on many sunday afternoons
when you came back to me,
your arms ached for me,
and your arms would close me in
though they smelled of other women.

I think of you
on Sunday afternoons.

Your sweet head would bow,
like a child somehow,
down to me –
and your hair and your eyes were wild.

We would embrace on the floor-
You see my back´s still sore.
You knew how easily I bruised,
It´s a soreness I would never lose.

I think of you
on Sunday afternoons.

My signing at the Monroe, Louisiana Books-A-Million was a success. I signed and sold all but three of the books the store had ordered.  The managers were very pleased and I’ve already been invited back for another signing when Stories of the Confederate South comes out in October.  This collection of short fiction did well with Booklocker, and I’m hoping it will do even better with Pelican and that publisher’s larger distribution network.  The collection of short historical fiction will also be a natural to sell alongside my children’s book, Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House.

I was delighted to see   that you can already pre-order Stories of the Confederate South on Amazon.com.

Tomorrow, I’ll have to be up early to be on Channel 10’s (KTVE) morning show with Angela Cruz to tell viewers about the program at the library that evening.   Today, I’m deeply buried in editing work.