Music for Music: Wise Men II
Maria Elena Silva
Wise Men Never Try Volume II
By Dan Ursini ©2025
The cutting edge in the arts, according to conventional wisdom, is located just beyond the boundaries of what we can foresee. Yet it can also register when taking a deep second look at a previous boundary with an unexplored turn. And that locates the cutting edge defined by a new album of U.S. Civil War songs by Maria Elena Silva, an accomplished composer and arranger, guitarist, and vocalist. This is the second volume of a planned series of albums with the umbrella title “Wise Men Never Try.”
All eight of the songs on this album found their way into American culture during the war years of 1861-1865. They served as winning elements in military parades and whistle-stop speeches and patriotic rallies. So it is fascinating to consider that these songs work so well with the approach that Silva has created: an ambience of deep quiet that perfectly frames the impassioned intimacy of her vocals. Even more, her arrangements reflect a deep commitment to minimalism and harmony, which is shared by two support musicians who are both highly capable improvisers—pianist Erez Dessel and double bassist Tyler Wagner.
The album opens with “Battle Cry of Freedom,” generally regarded as the most popular song of the Civil War. Silva’s singular update opens with a brave solo by Dessel, filled with adamant tonal clusters. Silva provides a pensive, faultless vocal. Here and elsewhere, the musical support performs with great elasticity—particularly when open space is needed.
That openness extends to Silva’s profound and distinctive grasp of harmony. She explains, “I grew up listening to all kinds of music from all around the world. I think by having so much exposure to different scales/harmony/rhythmic patterns, I developed certain tendencies that I maintain, whether it’s my own writing or a musical retelling.”
One of the great strengths of Silva’s commitment to minimalism is the perfect fit it provides for bringing to musical life the subject matter of the songs. Virtually all of them deal with freedom and slavery. “We Wait Beneath the Furnace Blast” is an excellent example. Composed in 1862, it is a provocative abolitionist anthem. In Silva’s rendition, the energy level is uplifting, enhanced by deft and bold playing.
Another anti-slavery tune, “The Liberty Ball,” soars through the musicality of Silva’s vocal, the expressive concision of Wagner’s double-bass, and the stately lyricism of Dessel’s piano.
Silva’s vocals on this album are delivered with deep dignity and heart. She remarks, “The honesty of these lyrics belongs to their writers, and…it seems prudent that I should re-tell their stories with fervent attention.” In virtually all the songs, her performances center the music. The sole exception is a lovely a capella version of “When the Cruel War Is Over”—where her voice is everything. It is splendid.
Silva’s collection of Civil War songs renews the luminosity of their original life in U.S. culture. This album is an achievement on several levels.
A future column will deal with Silva’s Bob Dylan covers released as singles.
Please note: A version of this article in altered form comprises the liner notes of this album.
Dan Ursini and his wife Valerie live in Oak Park, Illinois. Over the years he has done many kinds of writing. Ursini served as the first resident playwright for the Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago (1978-1983); he worked for ten years as a Contributing Editor for Puerto Del Sol magazine; he wrote performance art pieces presented at such Chicago venues as Club Lower Links and Club Dreamerz. Ursini wrote radio theatre presented on NPR in the early 1990s. Throughout all this, he has worked full-time at the Law Library at DePaul University where for a decade he also wrote articles for Dialogue, the DePaul law school’s alumni publication. A particular highlight was his role as a researcher for a documentary, Race to Execution, about the connection between race and capital punishment in the U.S.A. In 2007 it was broadcast on the PBS series, Independent Lens. Apart from all this, Ursini was active for some years as a bass guitarist in various Chicago blues/gospel/funk/lounge configurations. Currently Ursini is working on his latest novel. Dan can be reached at: danursini@aol.com
At EIL:
Maria Elena Silva, Wise Men Never Try, Volume I
At Bandcamp:
Wise Men Never Try Vol. I Great American Songbook Standards
Wise Men Never Try Vol. II American Civil War Songs
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