Listen, Lord

Editorial Reviews
American Record Guide, 2003
"Alice Parker is a national treasure: America's reigning queen of choral music."

From the Artist
A longtime colleague of famous choral conductor Robert Shaw, Alice Parker is responsible for hundreds of superb, pioneering arrangements of early American choral music, spirituals, and both foreign and domestic folk songs.

Album Description
This album consists of one cantata, two suites and eight spirituals in choral settings by nationally acclaimed composer/arranger Alice Parker. The cantata "Listen, Lord" for solo contralto, chorus, and jazz combo sets the text of the opening prayer from "God's Trombones", James Weldon Johnson's imaginative recreation of sermons remembered from his youth.

Listen, Lord

Tracks:

Three Spirituals
Tell 'Em I'm Gone
You Can Tell The World
This Morning
O, It May Be
This Man Of God
When I've Done
I Want Jesus To Walk With Me
He's Got The Whole World
Mary And Martha Have Just Gone 'Long
Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass
I'm A-Rollin'
God Loves All His Many People
Welcome Table
Father's Got A Home
Come And Go With Me
Blow Yo' Gospel Trumpet
Can't You Hear
Holy, Holy
Let The Church Roll On
Glory, Hallelujah

Album Description

This album consists of one cantata, two suites and eight spirituals in choral settings by nationally acclaimed composer/arranger Alice Parker. The cantata "Listen, Lord" for solo contralto, chorus, and jazz combo sets the text of the opening prayer from "God's Trombones", James Weldon Johnson's imaginative recreation of sermons remembered from his youth.

Average customer rating:

SAVAE IS A HIDDEN TREASURE
Culturally pleasing...
Let tell you something...
Unbelievable
Modern Aztec Interpretations

El Milagro de Guadalupe

Manufacturer: Iago Records/Talking Taco
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Guadalupe: Virgen De Los Indios
La Noche Buena: Christmas Music of Colonial Latin America
Native Angels
Native Angels
Matins for the Virgin of Guadeloupe

ASIN: B00001O2XH
Release Date: 2000-05-01

Tracks:

Dios Itlazo Nantzine
Teponazcuicatl
Dixit Dominus
Jesu Christo Nuestro Dios
Esta Es Cenda Dem Amor Llena
Domine Ad Adjuvando
Asi Andando
El Fiel Peso Y Medida
In Itlauentzin
Ave Maria
Magnificat
Tlaxicaqui
Llegaos
Sakve
Xitlehco Noxocoyouh
Muestra Lat Tierra Alegria
Auh Ca Niman

Product Description

The hypnotic rhythms of Aztec drums and hautning sounds of Mesoamerican wind instruments blend with the seven voice of SAVAE in this companior recording to their bestselling "Guadalupe: Virgen de Los Indios." The music, dating from the mid-16th century reflects the unprecedentd vangelization that occurred as result of the appearance of the Virgin Mary to the Nahua Inidan Juan Dieo in 1531.

Customer Reviews:

SAVAE IS A HIDDEN TREASURE.......2005-08-09

I did not know much about SAVAE or this recording until I attended the annual conference of the Hymn Society of the US and Canada, which met in San Antonio, TX this year. There, I had the wonderful experience of a workshop with several members of SAVAE, in which we sang and clapped the complex melodies and rhythms of the music, and were introduced to some of the indigenous language, as well as the various drums, stones and flutes they used for accompaniment. Later in the conference, we (some 300 of us) were treated to a sublime concert, which included some of the pieces on this recording. We also got to sight-read three pieces from their upcoming CD of Christmas music from the same era. I don't think they had ever performed before so larga and appreciative an audience. This group deserves to be discovered by lovers of Early Music everywhere!

Culturally pleasing..........2003-06-19

In the album, El Milagro de Guadalupe, SAVAE clearly demonstrate their ability to cross-cultures and to unite or fuse the commonalities without difficulty. The sacred music somehow seems so much more holy in this context. The vocalists are quite talented singers and linguists. Overall a very pleasant cd and would recommend it to others.

Let tell you something..........2002-06-14

This is not what I think that
the Spaniards would wanted done,
in actual practice. This is all
sacred music all performed on
native aztec instruments, not
a single significant part for
convetional European instrument.
In most poor congregation in colonial
Latin-America, there would at least
be an organ, or a gitar, in the poorest
congregations, if an organ was out
of the question, a pair of recorders
would do just fine for church services.
There are better versions out there of
colonial Latin-American music.

Unbelievable.......2001-11-09

I was given this CD as a gift and I must say that it is the most incredible thing I have ever heard. There is something about it's "earthyness" that attracts my friends and I to it. I hope that SAVAE is around for a long time and that they keep blessing the world with their music.

Modern Aztec Interpretations.......2000-11-02

The music on this CD is in a word, ethereal. Beautiful choral music fused with Aztec instruments for a listening experience to not be forgotten nor matched in sheer beauty. The Nahuatl language is a joy to the ears, it speaks in whispers of a time long forgotten. The playing of indigenous Aztec instruments transports the listeners to another time period, a time without cars and planes, and the hectic schedules associated with modern times. Put this CD on and relax, it is hauntingly beautiful. The songs are all superb, inspiring one to transend the mundane to elevate to a higher plane. I don't know about 6+5+4 beats but I do know that the complex rhythmns astound the soul. The inspiration for this CD is La Virgen de Guadalupe and her grace must have bestowed supernatural powers on this recording because it is excellent. If you know of any devotees of La Virgen de Guadalupe this is an excellent choice to give them. The music is so different from anything you may have heard before. A revival of Aztec music, by a superb group of choral singers and musicians that is breathtaking. Put this CD on to listen to your inner sanctum, you might like what you hear, it is music for your soul. A real jewel, file this under inspiration.

Average customer rating:

Music of R Nathaniel Dett
Dett , Blyden-Taylor , and Nathaniel Dett Chorale
Manufacturer: Marquis Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

R. Nathaniel Dett: Piano Works
A Season's Promise
Early American Choral Music, Vol. 2
Early American Choral Music, Vol. 1
Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst and other choral works

ASIN: B00007EB7C
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Tracks:

Don't Be Weary, Traveler
I'll Never Turn Back No More
Let Us Cheer The Weary Traveler
Hew 'Round The Tree
Baptism
Listen To The Lambs
Weeping Mary
O Holy Lord
The Chariot Jubilee
On That Sabbath Morn
Dust, Dust And Ashes
Ave Maria
Go Not Far From Me, O God

Album Description

The debut recording of the Nathaniel Dett Chorale features the most enduring songs of inspiration, hymns, and arrangements of spirituals by the choir's namesake, Canadian composer R. Nathaniel Dett. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Nathaniel Dett Chorale.

Nathaniel Dett was born in Drummondville, Ontario in 1882 and died in October, 1943. Nathaniel Dett was dedicated to the cause of Black music, winning the Bowdoin and Frances Boott prizes in 1920 from Harvard University for his paper, "The Emancipation of Negro Music" and for his motet, "Don't Be Weary Traveller".

Tracks:

Nobody Knows de Trouble I See
Little More Faith in Jesus
And He Never Said a Mumberlin' Word
Tryin' to Get Ready
Po' Pilgrim of Sorrow
I'm A-Rollin'
Listen to the Angels Shouting
Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
Go Down Moses
I Want to Be Ready; or, Walk in Jerusalem Just Like John
Oh Freedom
Deep River
Joshua Fit de Battle Ob Jericho
'Tis the Old Ship of Zion
Steal Away
Great Day!
My Lord, What a Mourning
Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Average customer rating:

all Christmas,all the Time
Title makes a big claim, but it absolutely delivers...
Its time to be seasonal

The Best Carols in the World...Ever!

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols
50 Most Loved Christmas Carols
Christmas Night: Carols of the Nativity
Carols from Trinity
A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale

ASIN: B00002438U
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Angels We Have Heard Ye On High - Sir David Willcocks
I Saw Three Ships - Sir David Willcocks
The First Nowell - Philip Ledger
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen - Sir David Willcocks
While Shepherds Watched - Sir David Willcocks
A Virgin Unspotted - Andrew Parrott
Once In A Royal David's City - John Rutter
In The Bleak Midwinter - Sir David Willcocks
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - David Bell
In Dulci Jubilo - John Rutter
O Little Town Of Bethlehem - Philip Ledger
Past Three O'Clock - Sir David Willcocks
The Coventry Carol - Mediaeval Baebes
Away In A Manger - Sir George Thalben-Ball
Nativity Carol - John Rutter
Unto Us Is Born A Son - David Bell
Silent Night - Sir David Willcocks
Ding Dong Merrily On High - Sir David Willcocks
We Wish You A Merry Christmas - Sir David Willcocks
The Lord At First Did Adam Make - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Up! Good Christen Folk And Listen - Sir David Willcocks
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly - John Rutter
O Little One Sweet - Sir David Willcocks
O Come, O Come Emmanuel - David Bell
The Twelve Days Of Christmas - John Rutter

Tracks:

Good King Wenceslas - David Bell
Cherry Tree Carol - Sir David Willcocks
Joy To The World - David Bell
Here We Come A-Wassailing - John Rutter
See Amid The Winter's Snow - Sir David Willcocks
Gaudete - Mediaeval Baebes
The Holly And The Ivy - Sir David Willcocks
We've Been A While A-Wandering - Sir David Willcocks
We Three Kings Of Orient Are - David Bell
Shepherd's Pipe Carol - John Rutter
Masters In This Hall - Sir David Willcocks
The Babe Of Bethlehem - Andrew Parrott
A Spotless Rose - Philip Ledger
Angel Tidings - John Rutter
When An Angel Host Entuned - Sir David Willcocks
As With Gladness Men Of Old - David Bell
Adam Lay Ibounden - Mediaeval Baebes
The Coming Of Our King - John Rutter
Christ Was Born On Christmas Day - Sir George Thalben-Ball
A Christmas Carol - Sir David Willcocks
Sans Day Carol - John Rutter
Gabriel's Message - Sir David Willcocks
The Chester Carol - Robert Tear
Rocking - Sir David Willcocks
Methinks I See An Heav'nly Host - Andrew Parrott
Angels From The Realms Of Glory - David Bell
O Come, All Ye Faithful - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge

Customer Reviews:

all Christmas,all the Time.......2007-01-10

This two cd offering has almost all my favorites.the classics, not the Rudolph ones. Can't recommend enough.Listen and read Dickens...That's enough Christmas for anyone.

Title makes a big claim, but it absolutely delivers..........2006-12-02

This album provides 2.5 hours of excellent carols, from excellent choirs and soloists, and with great sound. I was worried that a compilation this large, and with such an extravagent title, would be B-side offerings, but that's not the case at all.

This isn't an album if you are looking for something "fresh and new." The arrangements are traditional, and even newer carols are done in a fairly conservative style. But that said, some of the pieces provide the best orchestration and voice arrangement I have ever heard. This is like the pinnacle of the classic English Christmas carol; clean, precise, glorious and celebratory.

Its time to be seasonal.......2005-12-16

This album contains traditional carols performed in a traditional way at the best quality. It is an excellent album to ensure the spirit of christmas is present and to bring the true meaning of christmas back. The double CD selection has all the golden favourites as well as not so wellknown carols to complete a very good christmas album. Merry Christmas to you all!

Average customer rating:

CD 1 WRONG MUSIC
CD 1 Wrong Music

Best Loved Christmas Carols

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

O Come All Ye Faithful: Christmas Carols at King's College, Cambridge
Carols from Trinity
Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Heavenly Voices

ASIN: B0002YLD1O
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

Once In Royal David's City
Angels, From The Realms Of Glory
Adam Lay Ybounden
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
In Dulci Jubilo
The First Nowell
I Saw Three Ships
Whence Is That Goodly Fragrance Flowing?
Quam Pastoras Laudavere
Personent Hodie
The Holy And The Ivy
A Spotless Rose
Away In A Manger
While Sheperds Watched
Tomarrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Up! Good Christian Folk And Listen
In The Bleak Midwinter
Ding Dong! Merrily On High
Silent NIght
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
The Three Kings
I Saw A Maiden
Sussex Carol
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Tracks:

Matin Responsory: I Look From Afar
Come, Thour Redeemer Of The Earth
I Wonder As I Wander
The Cherry Tree Carol
Gabriel's Message
Sussex Carol
Stille Nacht!
Chester Carol
A Babe Is Born, Op. 53
A Maiden Most Gentle
I Sing Of A Maiden
Myn Lyking
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
A Child Is Born In Bethlehem
Hodie Christus Natus Est
Hosanna To The Son Of David
Gloria In Excelsis Deo
When To The Temple Mary Went
Angelus Ad Virginem
Angelus Ad Virginem
Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
Jesus Christ The Apple Tree
That Lord That Lay In Asse Stall
In Dulci Jubilo
In Dulci Jubilo: Chorale Prelude

Amazon.com

Originally recorded between 1964 and 1985, this generous 2-CD compilation ranges from carols dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries to timeless, mostly traditional popular favorites. The arrangers include such eminent composers as Vaughan Williams, Gustav and Imogene Holst, Arthur Sullivan, Peter Cornelius, and Felix Mendelssohn, as well as the Choir's own Directors, David Wilcocks and Philip Ledger. The 50 carols are carefully chosen for maximum contrast of tempo, mood and character; the settings, too, endeavor to create variety of texture and dynamics between the often numerous verses by alternately using solos and choruses, male, female and combined voices, creating cumulative build-ups, and adding a descant to the final strophe. However, even all these techniques and devices tend to become predictable, so it may be advisable to enjoy the program in judicious doses. Among these riches, listeners will find their own favorites, but it may be worth noting that "Silent Night" appears twice, once in English and once in German, and that two of the most famous carols--"O come, all ye faithful" and "Hark! The herald angels sing"--are accompanied by a very loud brass band playing fanfares with incongruous, "up-dated" harmonies--the only false note in the program. By contrast, the organ, employed in several introductions, as well as to provide powerful chordal support and all kinds of tinkling, bell-like effects never seems out of style or character. The singing is splendid. Basically "white," without vibrato, the sound has a wonderfully pure, truly celestial quality, but can rise to full, rich, ringing sonorities in the climaxes. Intonation, balance and ensemble are impeccable, the soloists are excellent. The reverberant acoustics of the Chapel of King's College, where the recordings were made, cushion the voices without obscuring the clarity of the lines. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

CD 1 WRONG MUSIC.......2004-12-31

I was very disappointed when I listened to CD 1 and realised it was club music.Having now read the other review I don't think I will get satisfaction,therefore I cannot rate this item properly.

Errol
Barbados,West Indies

CD 1 Wrong Music.......2004-12-21

I put the CD in and was met by club music, I thought maybe it was some strange take on "Morning in the City of David" nope, the CD had been burned with the wrong image. I sent it back and received a new copy, it had the same issue. I listened to the second CD and loved ever moment of it, but until EMI/Amazon can rectify this issue, I cannot fairly rate it.

Average customer rating:

Puccini: Opera For Orchestra

Manufacturer: Intersound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000BMU
Release Date: 1995-03-14

Tracks:

Madama Butterfly
La Boheme
Manon Lescaut
Turandot

Average customer rating:

A good memento of a time and place

Riverside Years 2
Frank Swann
Manufacturer: Gothic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00007K26K
Release Date: 2003-01-07

Tracks:

Once In Royal David's City
Up! Good Christian
The Lord At First
The Holly & The Ivy
Unto Us Is Born A Son
Jesus Child
The Hunter
Mary's Lullaby
What Is This Fragrance
Come, Marie, Elisabette
O Come All Ye Faithful
To Bethlehem

Tracks:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Puer Natus
Torches
Hush, My Dear
Lo, The Messiah
Mary Had A Baby
Shepards, Shake Off
Saw You Never
Noel We Sing
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Star Carol
Love Came Down At Christmas
Joy To The World
All Glory, Laud, And Honor
The Way To Jerusalem
Choral Variations On 'Ah, Holy Jesus'
O Vos Omnes
The Joyful Eastertide
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
Christ Our Passover

Tracks:

Praise To The Lord
The Lord's My Shepard
Ye Holy Angels Bright
Fairest Lord Jesus
Praise The Lord! Ye Heavens
Our God, Our Help
God That Madest Earth & Heaven
From All That Dwell
My Song Shall Be Alway
Come, Holy Ghost
There Is A Balm In Gilead
Let Us With A Gladsom Mind
Prologue To The 'Apostles'
Festival Te Deum
Evening Hymn

Customer Reviews:

A good memento of a time and place.......2005-09-21

As a young singer I participated in most of these recordings, so it's a bit hard to be objective. The most successful segments are those on the "Lessons and Carols" disc, recorded in May of 1981. John Walker's organ accompaniments are subtle and beautifully voiced; as a result the choral singing they accompany is consistent, beautifully blended and in tune. The readings, particularly the reading and prayer from William Sloane Coffin, are wonderful to hear again.

The rest, recorded in 1978 and 1979, are much less successful. There is much oversinging, even screaming, in the louder choral passages, the choral sound in general is "woofy", not very in tune and unblended, in the fashion of much choral singing of the time, and the organ playing of Swann and McDonald as accompaniment is consistently too loud, even ugly in tone. The only articulate and beautiful playing on these earlier recordings is that of the late organist and harpsichordist Jerry Brainard, and he participates in only two selections! These recordings were made with three microphones, a stereo pair at the front and one at the back for ambience, in the dry acoustic Riverside had at the time (it has since been "corrected" to a soupy overreverberance), so microphoning was not the problem. This is a good represntation of the way this sounded at the time, according to listeners in the congregation.

Also, as was true of the original LP releases, the stereo image on the earlier recordings is reversed: left is right and right is left. I'm surprised that this error was not caught and corrected in the digital transfer. Much of the analog tape noise has been eliminated, but there is still quite a bit of audio distortion in the louder portions. On my copy, the CD's had some trackinig difficulties, even on a new player.