Mixed Classical Groups - Western Wind, The: The Happy Journey: Early Amer. Vocal Music Vol. II (CD)

< Previous | Next >

Email a Friend

Listen to samples or view excerpts for this product.

Western Wind, The: The Happy Journey: Early Amer. Vocal Music Vol. II (CD)

Be the first to review this product

Subtitled "Early American Vocal Music, Volume II," this collection compiles examples of vocal music from 1775 to 1865. Texts of many of these early tunes were centered around a "happy journey" to a "promised land," hence the title. Composed by many self-taught musicians and hard-working people, the music reflects these attributes, in the relative monophony of the Shaker tunes ("The Happy Journey," "Who Will Bow and Bend Like a Willow"). At the same time, fuging-tunes and folk hymns like "Decay" and "Honor to the Hills" explore harmonic polyphony and depth. Early American spirituals are also included, with rocking rhythms and twisting, turning melodic embellishments ("The Angels Bowed Down," "Sinner, Don't Let This Harvest Pass"). The fine musicianship of the Western Wind is apparent in the sensitivity and energy of their performance. (48:28 2001)

Song List:
Shaker Songs
The Happy Journey (anon.)
Now, My Dear Companions/Drink Ye Of Mother's Wine (A. Blasé/Anon.)
Funeral Hymn
Who Will Bow and Bend Like a Willow (anon.)
From the Moon
Come Life, Shaker Life (anon.)
New England Anthems, Folk Hymns and Plain Tunes
Honor to the Hills (J. Ingalls)
Brevity (A. Wood)
Sorrow's Tear (S. Jenks)
Decay (Jenks)
Columbia (J. Ingalls)
Lamentation (Ingalls)
Evening Hymn (E. West)
Complainer (Ingalls)
Eurocydon, An Anthem (W. Billings)
Southern Spirituals - Black and White
Wake Up (J. G. McCurry)
Musgrove (E. R. White)
The Bower of Prayer (E. J. King)
Weeping Mary/To the Land (J. G. McCurry/McCurry)
The Angels Done Bowed Down (anon.)
Calvary (anon.)
Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass (anon.)
Wondrous Love (anon.)
New Britain/The Promised Land (anon./M. Durham)