Freedom and Justice for All

I am a basically a "Top 40" music listener. It has never been that I did not like Country Music, but like most of my suburban friends, thought it was a little below us. I went through my Country Music phases that those of my era did. There was the Urban Cowboy era and the Alabama (the group, not the state) era. And there was also, my Reba stage. I can sing every song from "Rumor Has It" and that album has the honor of being my first Country Music purchase.

I began to pay more attention to Country Music after September 11th. It seems that Country song writers do a better job of putting down into words and music our feelings as Americans. My children are very worried about me, but when I was approached by my 19 year old son he said that County Music was better at talking about simple life. He had it right.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a promotional copy of The Charlie Daniels Band's new release, Freedom and Justice for All, along with a copy of Charlie's new book, Ain't No Rag. As I was preparing for the phone interview with Charlie, a couple of things hit me.

First, while reading the book, it is clear that Charlie Daniels loves his life and he sees the good and the bad in the world around him. He is a patriot, but he doesn't operate with blinders on. He loves the places he goes and is at home on the busy streets of New York, the hot summer days in the South and the wide open spaces of the Great Plains. He cherishes America.

The reader also gets a picture of how well respected as a musician this man is. Heck, I am still reeling to find out that he jammed all day with Bob Dylan and George Harrison, now that is musical diversity.

It occurred to me that he had the quality of storyteller that reminded me of one of my favorites, Harry Chapin. Chapin talked often of the change in the philosophy of his message over the years. At the time of his death in the early 1980's he was the champion of liberal causes. I wonder what Harry would be championing now.

You see the progression Charlie makes in the writing he does with words and with music. When asked what brought on the changes, he said a closer relationship with God. Believe me, that will do it and the most difficult thing we do in life is change for the better, because it is easier to be stuck than to change.

And then I listened to the CD, and it grabbed me and would not let go. It was as if our whole history was portrayed in this CD. Freedom and Justice for All is the best example of the diversity of America that I have ever heard. Of course, it is a Country CD, but the messages in the songs speak to everyone. I could ramble on about every song on the CD, but here are a few of the highlights.

This is not a rah-rah America is always right CD. There are tough questions put to the listener on the treatment of the poor, the American farmer and Viet Nam veterans. "Still in Saigon" will leave you in goose bumps the first and fiftieth time you listen and if it doesn't, you don't have a heart.

There is the pain of loss and the pain of racism. The loss of a loved one in battle, the loss of a simple life and the loss of innocence are heard in "God Bless the Mother," "Simple Man" and, again, in "Still in Saigon." In the songs "Summer of '68" and "Let Freedom Ring" there are verses about the struggles and triumphs of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Black, White or Brown, Charlie Daniels paints a musical picture of the dream for all Americans that Dr. King gave us.

Of course, there are the rousing tributes to America in "This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag," and the mournful tribute to the September 11 Attack on America in "The Last Fallen Hero." This is not a John Philip Sousa kind of recording, it is a roller-coaster of realism on the triumph of being an American and the blessing and responsibilities that we have when we call ourselves Americans.

Finally, with the recitation of the majesty of America in "My Beautiful America" and the instrumental rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner," this CD has covered the full range of emotions about this country. The combination of this book and this CD will bring you together with those who want to see the majesty of America as well as want to work on her problems and solve them.

Martha Zoller is the host of WDUN Newstalk 550's daily political talk show airing from 9 to Paul Harvey every weekday. She is a regular on Fox 5 Atlanta's The Georgia Gang and is seen regularly on CNN and The Fox News Channel. Let Martha know what you think by emailing her at [email protected].