Media Type

Audio

Physical Location

Stacks D031.4A

Copyright Statement

Copyright De Gar Music Publishing Co ASCAP

Number of Media

1

Language(s)

English

Format

Record/LP

Digitized in HD?

No

General Note

33 1/3 RPM record - Bill Ellis First Cav Impressions of a Skytrooper

From back cover:
Side One: First Cav (Ellis) (2:53); Firefight (Ellis) (2:38)
Side Two: Freedom bird (Ellis) (3:10); Grunt (Ellis) (2:43)
Copyright De Gar Music Publishing Co ASCAP

Bill Ellis, a rifleman with the 1st Air Cavalry Division, represents soldiers at the foxhole level - where dirt and weariness, fighting, and dying are commonplace as the raw courage and spirit that typify these magnificent young men. For all men, the sights and sounds of combat make vivid impressions; Bill has preserved his in song.

First Cav traces the FIRST TEAM's history, and is one of the first modern sogns written abou the entire division.

It once was said that combat is ninety percent boredom and ten percent terror, Bill captures the gut-grabbing feeling of battle in Firefight. The 'snap' of Russian AK-47's and th line 'Flip your iron to rock 'n' roll' (M-16 on full automatic) will stir a veteran's memories.

Inherent in the hardships of combat are misery and lonliness - the theme of Grunt, whose lyrics reflect the changing vocabulary of war, 'humped a click' has replaced 'marched a mile' the 'Log Bird' - the logistics helicopter that brings food and water, and mail to units scattered far from roads - has replaced the old kitchen truck.

Finally, for every man in Vietnam there comes a day when it's all over, when that big jet flies him home. All the yearning the soldier feels as he counts the days until he's 'back in the world' comes through in the haunting melody Freedom Bird.

Although these songs were written about Skytrooper of the 1st Air Cavalry, the eloquently tell the story of all the gallant men who have fought in Vietnam... and to them this record is dedicated.

Accompanist: Carroll F. Anderson II Album Design: Ron Doss Executive Producer: Maj. J. D. Coleman