Let Me Fly: Music of Struggle, Solace, and Survival in Black America

Linda Radtke (alto), Claire Hungerford (soprano), Eric K. Brooks (baritone), Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman (alto), Carolyn Dickinson (alto), Marybeth McCaffrey (soprano), Stephen Falbel (bass), Roger Grow (tenor), David Horn (tenor), Jonita Lattimore (soprano), Louise de Cormier (narrator), Counterpoint

Catalog #: TROY0896
Release Date: December 1, 2006
Format: Digital
Choral

Directed by the renowned Robert De Cormier, the professional vocal ensemble Counterpoint debuted in 2000. Dedicated to promoting choral chamber music and giving the public the opportunity to hear rarely performed works and unique arrangements, their concerts and recordings have a devoted following. In addition to this new CD, they can be heard on Albany TROY676, 746, 801 and 823. De Cormier writes, " I have been involved in African-American music, in one way or another, for almost 60 years. In 1948 I became the music director at Camp Unity, an interracial holiday camp, whose clientele were just about half black, one-half white. Every Sunday a chorus would be recruited from the new campers and rehearsals would begin on Monday. On Friday or Saturday night we would perform together as part of the weekend program. Almost every concert included some African-American music...in 1963 the De Cormier Singers, a professional vocal ensemble, made its debut in New York City. For the next 25 years we toured the United States and Canada. We were always an interracial group and the concert programs almost always included African-American material. Many of the songs on this new CD were originally arranged for them.

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Track Listing

Title Composer Performer
Ezekiel Saw the Wheel Robert DeCormier, arr. Counterpoint
Walk Together Children Robert DeCormier, arr. Counterpoint
By n' by Robert DeCormier, arr. Counterpoint
Aint' a That Good News Robert DeCormier, arr. Counterpoint
Obey the spirit of the Lord Robert DeCormier, arr. Counterpoint
John Henry Robert DeCormier, arr. Counterpoint
Rocks and Gravel Milton Okun Counterpoint
Dink's Blues Milton Okun Counterpoint
Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder Milton Okun Counterpoint
Another Man Done gone Milton Okun Counterpoint
My Lord Whata Mornin' Robert DeCormier, arr. Counterpoint
Amen Robert DeCormier, arr. Counterpoint
Let Me Fly Robert DeCormier, arr. Counterpoint
Hold On Robert DeCormier, arr. Counterpoint
Ride On, King Jesus Robert DeCormier, arr. Counterpoint
Hear the Lambs a Cryin' Robert DeCormier, arr. Counterpoint
They Called Her Moses Robert DeCormier Counterpoint, Jonita Lattimore, soprano, Louise DeCormier, narrator

Reviews

  • "De Cormier's arrangements of spirituals are very rich....warm and beautifully sung, acheiving real tenderness. ...The spirit of these performances is just amazing."

    – The Barre-Montpelier Times Argus

*Album cover provided for Editorial use only. ©Albany Records. The Albany Imprint is a registered trademark of PARMA Recordings LLC. The views and opinions expressed in this media are those of the artist and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions held by PARMA Recordings LLC and its label imprints, subsidiaries, and affiliates.