Audio CD review:
William Billings, Alfred Marcus Cagle, Brent Michael Davids, Stephen Foster, George Gershwin, William Hawley, Jackson Hill, Dale Lawson, Juan de Lienas, Juan Gutierrez de Padilla - Our American Journey

William Billings, Alfred Marcus Cagle, Brent Michael Davids, Stephen Foster, George Gershwin, William Hawley, Jackson Hill, Dale Lawson, Juan de Lienas, Juan Gutierrez de Padilla - Our American Journey

Band: William Billings, Alfred Marcus Cagle, Brent Michael Davids, Stephen Foster, George Gershwin, William Hawley, Jackson Hill, Dale Lawson, Juan de Lienas, Juan Gutierrez de Padilla Title: Our American Journey Rating: Release Date: 12 November, 2002 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah 2: Credidi 3: Versa Est In Luctum 4: Jefferson - Chanticleer 5: David's Lamentation 6: Soar Away 7: Whispers 8: Voices Of Autumn 9: The Un-Covered Wagon 10: Fuggi, Fuggi, Dolor 11: Labbra Vermigile E Belle 12: Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair 13: Camptown Races 14: Love Walked In 15: Willow Weep For Me 16: Calling My Children Home 17: Wayfarin' Stranger 18: I'm A Pilgrim

Editoral Review The title refers to the group's wide-ranging repertoire; this disc includes Mexican baroque, traditional American songs in various styles and music commissioned by Chanticleer itself. This is Chanticleer's 25th recording and also marks its 25th anniversary season. A program that tries to please everybody is bound to disappoint somebody; however, no one could be disappointed by the singing. The sound of these 12 unaccompanied male voices has an unearthly, celestial beauty and purity; their blend is perfect. Though the singers rarely use vibrato, their intonation is impeccable both together and in solos. Their expressive range and stylistic versatility are incredible: they can project tenderness, pleading, and bitter protest and are equally at home in plainchant, Latin hymns, blues, spirituals, shouts and crooning. Among the highlights are the three opening hymns, settings of two poems of Torquato Tasso by William Hawley, commissioned by Chanticleer, which combine 16th- and 20th-century styles, and the two final folksongs, the last with a stride-style piano accompaniment, making a rousing, exuberant ending. The booklet, in three languages, is well laid-out and informative. --Edith Eisler .. You can see a complete list of all William Billings, Alfred Marcus Cagle, Brent Michael Davids, Stephen Foster, George Gershwin, William Hawley, Jackson Hill, Dale Lawson, Juan de Lienas, Juan Gutierrez de Padilla discography, or go back to the William Billings, Alfred Marcus Cagle, Brent Michael Davids, Stephen Foster, George Gershwin, William Hawley, Jackson Hill, Dale Lawson, Juan de Lienas, Juan Gutierrez de Padilla tabs