Vietnam Blues

Listen Up

• A short NPR piece, Vietnam Vets Recall “Their” War (2:22)


• Here is the description of the radio documentary, Vietnam Blues (28:29), (produced by Christina Antolini) from the Soundprint website:

  Vince Gabriel is a Maine-based blues musician who's written an album of songs chronicling his experience in the Vietnam War. In this program, Vince takes listeners chronologically through his time in Vietnam, with his music leading us into stories about getting drafted, arriving in the jungle, what combat was like, the loss of his closest friend, the relief of finally returning home, and his reflections on the legacy of Vietnam today. Vince's stories give listeners an almost visceral sense of what it's like for those on the front lines. Though it is an account of a war that took place years ago, Vince's observations feel disturbingly immediate and poignant.

Write Now

• It is hard to listen to these pieces without drawing then-and-now connections, between Vietnam and Iraq. What similarities or differences do you see?
• Describe how music, such as Vince Gabriel’s, can provide a commentary on one’s life. Do you have a playlist for a radio documentary on your life?

Read On

• More from Wikipedia on Vietnam
• Vince Gabriel’s website, Blind Albert’s Productions
• Here are two websites about music and Vietnam Battles Notes and What’s Going On?