Review by Jerry Weseley Harris
Promised Land: Songs of America
MALE ENSEMBLE NORTHWEST is an interesting musical organization of twelve men, all professional choral conductors as well as accomplished singers, who are especially interested in the promotion of choral singing. The Ensemble has sung with outstanding success throughout the Northwest states.
Promised Land is clear evidence of the high musical and artistic standards of this group. This compact disc (also available on cassette) is an example of superior musicianship and vocal technic.
Besides the excellent singing, the range and variety of musical literature presented on this disc will be of interest to the public at large as well as members of the choral profession.
The opening section, entitled HYMNS, includes music of such fine arrangers as Robert Hunter and Kenneth Jennings. Titles include such familiar hymns as "Promised Land," arranged by Richardson, "Be Thou My Vision," and "O Thou in Whose Presence" which features several fine solo presentations. This section concludes with the hymn "Rise Up, O Men of God."
The second section entitled SPIRITUALS includes six famous works among which are the well-known "The Gift to be Simple," "Somebody's Callin' My Name, "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel," and "Joshua."
One of the most moving selections on this disc is entitled "Waitin' for the Dawn of Peace," arranged by Ron Jeffers and published by Earthsongs, which appears in the third section called SONGS OF THE CIVIL WAR.
The fourth section entitled SONGS OF THE WEST contains some of the most familiar music for male voices with such titles as "Streets of Laredo," and "Colorado Trail." These songs were arranged and made famous by Norman Luboff. Also, you'll find wonderful settings of "Down In the Valley" arranged by George Mead, and "Shenandoah," arranged for male voices by James Erb.
SONGS OF THE SEA contains three appealing selections among which is "A-Rovin'," arranged by Luboff. The concluding section reveals the attractive humor in programing which is a prominent characteristic of this group. The section is entitled AMERICAN TELEVISION THEMES. The exceptional arranging skill of Dan Davison is well known in the Northwest. His "Television Medley" is well worth the price of the disc in itself. The album concludes with a charming arrangements of James Taylor's "Lonesome Road." MALE ENSEMBLE NORTHWEST:Promised Land (Songs of America) is an important addition to the choral music library of all people who enjoy a variety of choral literature presented with the highest standards of choral artistry.
Jerry Weseley Harris, Editor Northwest Notes
A. C. D. A. Newsletter, Beaverton, Oregon
