Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quintet Bassoon,Clarinet,Flute,Horn,Oboe - Level 3 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1408410
By Neil Young. By Neil Young. Arranged by Jason Sullivann. Chamber,Folk,Historic,Multicultural,Rock,World. 22 pages. Green Bicycle Music #990996. Published by Green Bicycle Music (A0.1408410).
Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Man_(song)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_the_United_States
This is a setting of Neil Young's SOUTHERN MAN (from the album AFTER THE GOLD RUSH) for woodwindÂ
quintet and optional percussion.
The song is chosen by the arranger as a reponse to recent confisions surrounding the poisonous
legacy of Slavery, and various questionable debates regarding its history in America.
Ironically, the arranger was originally ready to mention the song written as a response to this
song by the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, but found interesting information on Wikipedia (the links are
provided). Apparently the song by Young that spurred Lynyrd Skynyrd to write SWEET HOME ALABAMA
was the one titled simply ALABAMA, which is on the album HARVEST. Also interesting was theÂ
information that the bands and composers did get along, even showing this by wearing each other's
t-shirts when performing.
This arrangement is advanced grade 3 or grade 4, with no extreme playing in the outer registers,
or meter changes, etc.. The optional percussion can be added to create a more solemn-march feel.
The socio-political element is not varied or diffused in any way. If possible, the complete lyrics
should be contained in program notes. This piece offers a serious contemplation of the history and
horror of Slavery in America.
