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FYI, for you musicians who play the drum (yes, drummers ARE musicians), there's a new treat out (just in time for Xmas!). George Carroll finally finished the book on drums he's been working on for a few decades, and I got a copy. It's called "American Drums of War 1607-2007 A Drum Chronology". It's going for $35, but I don't know where you can pick them up on the open market yet. You might watch his website www.ropedrum.com for info on availability.
It's similar to Craig Caba's book on drums and the book on Civil War musical instruments by Mark Elrod and Robert Garofalo which George helped out on, only much bigger in scope than either, covering a much wider time period (and 182 pages). Like the Elrod/Garofalo book, it is full-sized, softbound, with a glossy color cover, with lots and lots of photos, many in color, of historical drums from the ca. 1652 Framingham, MA drum all the way up to examples of modern reproduction drums he's made for people over the years.
There are a couple of drums purported to be F&I, and about ten drums from the Rev War period, including those said to be used at Lexington, Bunker Hill and Guilford Courthouse. There are a couple claimed to have been captured from the British, including one whose bullet holes were patched up and it was reused through the Civil War. In fact it's interesting how little drums really changed in shape and size from the mid-1700's to the mid-1800's, and how many were passed down to be used in future conflicts. There are a few more from late 18th century, some Eli Browns, and many more from the Civil War and afterward. Lots of verbatim quotes of stories (mini-histories) that surround the drums. Many of the drums are from museums, as well as from well-known collectors such as Fred Benkovick, John Bosworth and Jim Smith, who helped out on the book.
There's no table of contents or index, which is fitting since its style is a hodgepodge of information in roughly chronological form. There are biographies of historical figures such as a fifer at Lexington, famed drum maker Sanford Moeller, and the equally famed drum maker Patty Cooperman. Expanding on a similar list in Caba's book, there's a list of many historical drum makers from around the world in the back, with the years they were in business. Lots of other information about drumming, sticks, slings, and how drums were made, including photos of equipment from the Noble & Cooley drum factory. Many quotes from diaries, memoirs and books about how the drums were used. Also many comments from long-time drummer-historians such as Alan Goldfinger and others.
Being a brand new book with tons of info, there are probably some minor errors. I note that the Elias Howe who was the one of biggest sheet music sellers and instrument dealers in the country is also credited as being his cousin, the Elias Howe who invented the sewing machine (being both would have been REALLY exceptional). But even so, for interested parties, the book is a great overview of American military drums.
Sorry, not really much about the music itself, or fifes. Maybe that'll be another book.
Joe Whitney
2nd SC String Band
Md LIne Field Music
It's similar to Craig Caba's book on drums and the book on Civil War musical instruments by Mark Elrod and Robert Garofalo which George helped out on, only much bigger in scope than either, covering a much wider time period (and 182 pages). Like the Elrod/Garofalo book, it is full-sized, softbound, with a glossy color cover, with lots and lots of photos, many in color, of historical drums from the ca. 1652 Framingham, MA drum all the way up to examples of modern reproduction drums he's made for people over the years.
There are a couple of drums purported to be F&I, and about ten drums from the Rev War period, including those said to be used at Lexington, Bunker Hill and Guilford Courthouse. There are a couple claimed to have been captured from the British, including one whose bullet holes were patched up and it was reused through the Civil War. In fact it's interesting how little drums really changed in shape and size from the mid-1700's to the mid-1800's, and how many were passed down to be used in future conflicts. There are a few more from late 18th century, some Eli Browns, and many more from the Civil War and afterward. Lots of verbatim quotes of stories (mini-histories) that surround the drums. Many of the drums are from museums, as well as from well-known collectors such as Fred Benkovick, John Bosworth and Jim Smith, who helped out on the book.
There's no table of contents or index, which is fitting since its style is a hodgepodge of information in roughly chronological form. There are biographies of historical figures such as a fifer at Lexington, famed drum maker Sanford Moeller, and the equally famed drum maker Patty Cooperman. Expanding on a similar list in Caba's book, there's a list of many historical drum makers from around the world in the back, with the years they were in business. Lots of other information about drumming, sticks, slings, and how drums were made, including photos of equipment from the Noble & Cooley drum factory. Many quotes from diaries, memoirs and books about how the drums were used. Also many comments from long-time drummer-historians such as Alan Goldfinger and others.
Being a brand new book with tons of info, there are probably some minor errors. I note that the Elias Howe who was the one of biggest sheet music sellers and instrument dealers in the country is also credited as being his cousin, the Elias Howe who invented the sewing machine (being both would have been REALLY exceptional). But even so, for interested parties, the book is a great overview of American military drums.
Sorry, not really much about the music itself, or fifes. Maybe that'll be another book.
Joe Whitney
2nd SC String Band
Md LIne Field Music
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