America the Beautiful

Gary McFarland

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9
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America the Beautiful Review

by Scott Yanow

One of Gary McFarland's major works, this orchestral jazz suite (originally on Skye and reissued on CD by the audiophile DCC Jazz label) utilizes a big band and some strings along with the influence of rock, classical, and jazz. The six-movement piece is ultimately a bit downbeat about the future of the United States as seen from 1968. The emphasis is on the ensembles rather than any individual voices, and the overall results are certainly listenable but less memorable than one might hope considering the potential scope of the work.

Track Listing

	Title/Composer	Performer	Time	Stream
1	First Movement: on This Site Shall Be Erected Gary McFarland	Gary McFarland	04:35	Spotify Amazon
2	Second Movement: 80 Miles an Hour Through Beer-Can Country Gary McFarland	Gary McFarland	09:08	Spotify Amazon
3	Third Movement: Suburbia: Two Poodles and a Plastic Jesus Gary McFarland	Gary McFarland	04:42	Spotify Amazon
4	Fourth Movement: If I'm Elected... Gary McFarland	Gary McFarland	06:20	Spotify Amazon
5	Fifth Movement: Last Rites For the Promised Land Gary McFarland	Gary McFarland	04:41	Spotify Amazon
6	Sixth Movement: Due to Lack of Interest, Tomorrow Has Been Cancelled Gary McFarland	Gary McFarland	08:35	Spotify Amazon