Independence Days

Happy Independence Day!
Burundi, Rwanda, and Somalia (July 1)
Happy Canada Day, Canada (July 1)
Belarus (July 3)
USA (July 4)
Algeria, Cabo Verde, and Venezuela (July 5)
Comoros and Malawi (July 6)
Solomon Islands (July 7)
Argentina and South Sudan (July 9)
Bahamas (July 10)
 São Tomé and Príncipe (July 12)
Happy Bastille Day, France (July 14)

Sousa Marches
as composed and orchestrated
by John Philip Sousa
played by the Pride of the '48 Band

The dust has been blown away from this disk to be played every July for more than  50 years. Long associated with militaries and circuses, yuck. Instead, let's enjoy parades, marching bands, cotton candy, and smiling kids with sparklers.

This high fidelity concert of John Philip Sousa band marches represents in repertoire that which is generally considered the best of the composer's works.

As the name Strauss is synonymous with the waltz, so is the name Sousa synonymous with march music. It may even be said that Sousa is internationally accepted as the march king.

He was born in Washington, D.C. in 1856, the son of a trombonist in the U.S. Marine Corps Band. At the age of 17 he was a well-schooled musician with a thorough training in harmony and composition. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps Band in 1880 and resigned in 1892 to form a military band bearing his name. The band was a tremendous success and toured extensively in the United States and Europe. The great composer and bandmaster died in 1932 while on tour.  

-- from the sleeve notes

Oddio Overplay posted this album in 2003. In 2010, freeder1 added it to the Internet Archive, too.


Our friend Lanark (FMA, Comfort Stand Recordings) released an experimental electronic album celebrating the Independence days of both his homeland  Argentina's 1816 independence from the Spanish Empire and the United States of America's 1776 independence from England.

Lanark wrote, "4th and 9th of july are close enough. why not celebrate then, together, the independence of the united provinces of south and the united states of the north? that's what I did, in the form of a handful of patriotic marches, a little changed."

Día De La Independencia - Independence Day
Lanark

 2005

Music License: Creative Commons BY-NC-ND

You might also enjoy:

Celebrating 50 Years
The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps 

2010

 
Music License: US Public Domain (Original work of the US Federal Government)

 

 

 Past Blogio posts of USA marches and relevant music:

• Memorial Day Offerings
• US Ceremonial Music
• U.S. Army Band Ensembles

 

Day of the Dead

Alphabetical playlists of artists whose songs are bringing the magic to this year's

Día de los Muertos at Rancho Oddio

Party and procession music from around the world

Vol 1  A-N  ||  Vol 2  O-Z  ||  Vol 3  Later Additions

Related Mixes: :: mezcalli: Lado/B Los Muertos -- a diverse celebratory mix (32 tracks) :: katya-oddio: Memento Mori, a remembrance soundtrack -- a somber, respectful mix (14 track)

FMA Year One

Congrats to the WFMU Free Music Archive on wrapping up Year One! It's been a great year for listeners. Here is the tiniest little fraction of artists I have come to love this year thanks to the Free Music Archive. Thank you to all who have participated. If you aren't there yet, get on over to the FMA! You can download a gajillion free songs and albums, make and share playlists like Webjay, write reviews, interact with artists and fellow members. It is just all kinds of fun! Look me up when you visit! January 6-7, 2010 update: Hey! This mix was the featured mix at the WFMU Free Music Archive!

US Ceremonial Music

The old regime has been escorted out, and the new one is in place. An exciting, uplifting time for most of America. Good news for most of the World.

To my fellow Americans, a toast to our future! For everyone, some American "pomp and circumstance" listening!

01. The Old Fife and Gun Corps, who led the inaugural parade, shares their entire LIVING THE TRADITION
CD (sample: "Royal American Medley" mp3)

02. The U.S. National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner"

03. USAREUR Band and Chorus Ceremonial Music Downloads (sample: "Washington Post March" mp3)

04. Recordings of The United States Military Academy Band at West Point

05. US Air Force Band Recordings

06. US Navy Band ceremonial, classical, jazz, country and sea selections

07. US Marine Band Ceremonial Music. They also led the inaugural parade. (sample: "Hail to the Chief" mp3 -- which will never be played officially for GWB again)

08. 312th Army Band with selected Honor Band Students from Kansas and Missouri with special Guest Conductor, Dr, Kirt Saville, Recorded Live, March 2, 2003 [bottom of page] (sample: "American Pageant" mp3)

09. JOHN PHILIP SOUSA MARCHES LP shared at OddioOverplay.com

10. 399th Army Band performs ceremonial songs

11. 338th U.S. Army Band performs selections

12. US Army Field Band recordings in their entirety from their Concert Band, Soldiers' Chorus, The Volunteers and The Jazz Ambassadors

13. Entire CDs from The United States Coast Guard Band

14. Music from the US Navy Band Music Program

15. Regimental Band of the US Merchant Marine Academy

16. CDs from the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own"