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
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.
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."
*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.