Jefferson and Liberty

Jefferson and Liberty

Editorial Reviews
Dirty Linen #103 Dec 02-Jan 03
They add a few contemporary instruments ... and clearly enjoy what they're doing, playing with feeling rather than academic dryness.

Product Description
Jefferson and Liberty is a collection of 18th century tunes and songs chosen as representative of those played and sung by working class musicians in the North American colonies. It features jigs, hornpipes, and reels from the English and American country dance repertoire, as well as a French-Canadian dance and party song, La Bastringue"; airs from Ireland and Scotland, military fife tunes from England and France, a Charles Wesley hymn and a Caribbean sea Chantey. The title cut, "Jefferson and Liberty" is an Irish jig that was adopted as Thomas Jefferson's 1800 presidential campaign song. Also included is "O! Say Bonnie Lass", a song taken from the recently discovered musical notebooks of Capt. George Bush, a soldier in Washington's continental army. The album is a sampling of colonial American and European music that would have been shared across political and social boundaries from the pubs and taverns to the dances and parlors.

Jefferson and Liberty

Tracks:

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Credidi
Versa Est In Luctum
Jefferson - Chanticleer
David's Lamentation
Soar Away
Whispers
Voices Of Autumn
The Un-Covered Wagon
Fuggi, Fuggi, Dolor
Labbra Vermigile E Belle
Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
Camptown Races
Love Walked In
Willow Weep For Me
Calling My Children Home
Wayfarin' Stranger
I'm A Pilgrim

Amazon.com

This is Chanticleer's 25th recording and also marks its 25th anniversary season. 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. 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

Customer Reviews:

Amazing, ecclectic album.......2007-07-11

This CD is a great example of Chanticleer's phenomenal versatility, and it has something for everyone to appreciate. The Appalacian twang on the two Billings pieces is a bit much, but otherwise Chanticleer is in top form here and really shows what they are made of. As for the recording itself, something about the micing or acoustics in the recording process causes the countertenors to be just a tad too strong on a few tracks, but it's not a major problem.

To me, the most extraordinary tracks are: The Un-Covered Wagon with it's surreal effects and incredible array of vocal techniques, Willow Weep For Me, Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair (Michael Lichtenauer's solo floats so effortlessly in a mixed vocal register, I have never heard anything like it!), and Whispers.

Warning: This CD Is Addictive.......2006-12-10

I purchased this CD after hearing this magnificent choral group sing "Calling My Children Home" in a recent concert. Written by Doyle Lawson (from the group "Quicksilver"), Charlie Waller and Robert Yates, the song is a standard bluegrass number I had known for years (Emmy Lou Harris for one has recorded it); but I had no idea it had found its way to San Francisco. Chanticleer has made this song their own. I cannot imagine anyone else's version coming close to theirs.

The group sings 17 other songs on this CD, most of them arranged by Joseph Jennings, Chanticleer's music director. Their version of William Billings' "David's Lamentation," a Sacred Harp work, will blow you away. Another favorite of mine is "Wayfaring' Stranger." There are also two Stephen Foster songs included, "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair" and "Camptown Races" as well as Gershwin and other American composers.

There seems to be no kind of music that this group cannot sing better than most other groups. They remind us that there is no musical instrument more beautiful than the human voice.

This CD should be one for the time capsule.

Well worth buying.......2005-08-16

Chanticleer fans know what to expect in terms of vocal quality, and won't be disappointed. I agree with another reviewer that the Appalachian accent is a little over the top, but I thought the shape-note style was perfect: brilliant sound, but not that nasal.

I enjoyed the many styles of music in this CD, but since I tend to listen to CDs straight through as albums, I found it a little disconcerting to go so suddenly from one style to the next (e.g., Mexican Baroque to shape note).

That being said, everything is splendidly, sensitively performed. The renditions of "Whispers" and "The Un-Covered Wagon" are breathtaking. By all means, buy and enjoy this!

Good variety of American Choral Music.......2005-01-03

This album features a wonderful selection of "American" choral music. I'm not a big fan of the "stylized" singing of the shape-note pieces (with the nasal voices), but that is my only complaint. My favorite piece is Steven Stucky's "Whispers" which is an artfully crafted homage to Orlando Gibbons' "Drop, Drop, Slow Tears" and William Byrd's "Ave Verum Corpus." Joseph Jennings and Chanticleer effectively demonstrate that there is no "defining" American choral music and it is this rich panoply of variety which is so enchanting!

Absolutely wonderful!!.......2003-10-25

This album shows Chanticleer's great talent and it displays they're wonderful voices. I've seen them perform pieces from this album and they do it with such passion. It's wonderful. If you don't get this or any of their albums you truly are missing out!!

Average customer rating:

Hail To the Thief!
Hail to the Chief
Another Great Altissimo! Release
Hail to the Chief

Hail to the Chief

Manufacturer: Altissimo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Three Hit Albums from the U.S. Military Bands
Music of the U.S. Armed Forces
Stars & Stripes Forever and the Greatest Marches
Hollywoodland (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B0006SSP6C
Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

President Garfield's Inaugural March
The Star Spangled Banner (Historic Arrangement)
Inaugural Address Excerpt Franklin D. Roosevelt
March "Franklin D. Roosevelt"
Auld Lang Syne
Thomas Jefferson March
The Blue Danube Waltz
The President's March (Hail Columbia)
Inaugural Address Excerpt Harry Truman
The Sleeping Beauty Waltz
Easter Monday on the White House Lawn
Hungarian Dance #3
The Pride of the Wolverines
The Maple Leaf Rag (Historic 1906 Recording)
Inaugural Address Excerpt Dwight Eisenhower
Listen to the Mockingbird
The Marseillaise
Solemn March
Presidential Polonaise
The March from the Nutcracker Suite
Inaugural Address Excerpt John F. Kennedy
Guadalcanal March from Victory at Sea
Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
Eternal Father (The Navy Hymn)
A Message from President Ronald Reagan
Hail to the Chief

Customer Reviews:

Hail To the Thief!.......2005-08-06

Despite the fact that most of our presidents are not worth remembering in music; this is none the less an interesting CD. Altissimo! has done its usualy bit of culling through the Marine Band library to dig out enough appropriate pieces to put together on one CD. No original recordings here! We should be glad that its a full length selection of over 60 mins for a change, instead of the old 45 min. cheats in the past! Still, the different sound qualities of the various tracks is distracting at times.

Most labels when they combine different recordings together usually list the recording date and who conducted the band at that time. Altissimo! has not graduated to that level of professionalism in their products yet. Hence we just get The US Marine Band, not when it was recorded and who might be directing it!

Fortunately, the quality of the Marine Band is so good that it does not matter what Altissimo! does in putting together a CD. That said, the music provides an interesting chronology of ceremonial music played at the White House over the years. The linear notes are an improvment over the past, when little or nothing was provided. All and all, not bad from what we have come to expect from Altissimo!

Hail to the Chief.......2005-02-02

Hail to the Chief is the latest of about twenty-seven CDs offered by "Altissimo!", which offer recordings of the USA's fine military service musical organizations. Until Altissimo!, these recording were very rare and just about impossible to find. Thanks to Altissimo! every one can appreciate and enjoy the fine music of these top-notch musical organizations.
The program in Hail to the Chief is a tribute to our presidents. It is a varied program that shows the depth of the music played by one of America's oldest, established in 1798, and finest musical organizations, the United States Marine Band. This CD contains twenty-one marches and other classical numbers from Sousa to Strauss to Tchaikovsky. Some of the music in the CD is rare and for this reason alone of interest to music history buffs. One of these selections is a recording of the "Star-Spangled Banner" using the earliest published arrangement (1814) of the anthem. Another is the "Solemn March" played at Lincoln's funeral. Also included a rarely recorded Sousa piece, "Easter Monday on the White House Lawn." There is also an historic 1906 recording of Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag."
The recording also contains excerpts from speeches made by five of our presidents four of which were from inaugural addresses. The program notes explain the musical selections and how each was of interest to the various presidents.
The only negative, and it is not with the CD itself, is that the program notes do not include recording dates, where recorded and who the conductor of the band was. I highly recommend this CD to all interested in the America's patriotic music as well as the serious collector of military music and those interested in the musical roots of our country.
George Barkman

Another Great Altissimo! Release.......2005-01-13

Listening to the latest CD from Altissimo! brought pleasure to my ears. Whether you like listening to ballads, waltzes, Hungarian Dances, or marches you will find something on this CD that you will love to listen to. This wonderful compilation presents the listener with music favored by 23 of our United States Presidents, and includes bonus tracks of excerpts from four inaugural speeches.

Hail to the Chief.......2005-01-11

Hail to the Chief is unique, educational and without question, absolutely wonderful!

I was initially puzzled by the selections but as I began to listen and read the short narrative that is offered I started to realize I was being taken on a very different trip through American history. Consequently, the impact of the program had a totally unexpected and fascinating effect.

I was not just mesmerized by the sounds I heard, the arrangements which were presented or the memorable utterances of some of our Chief Executives. I was completely entranced by the realization that these men and others who had held the office of President of the United States, had listened and reacted to the same music the CD offers. It gave me an insight into their humanity that text books cannot provide.

As an example, I hadn't known the original sheet music for the "Star Spangled Banner" was arranged differently from the way we listen to it today --- who know how many Americans heard it played that way?

I had never actually thought about the fact that Washington might have actually heard "Hail Columbia" played, just as I was hearing it.

I was a bit startled that Chester Arthur commanded Sousa to compose what became the "Presidential Polonaise" and tried to imagine how much pressure he, (Sousa), must have felt in doing the President's bidding. (By the way, after listening to that unquestionably superb composition of the "March King", I must admit despite its delightful sound, I'm very pleased that we no longer use that as the official march of the President and we have returned to "Hail to the Chief".)

I vividly recall watching the casket of President Kennedy being carried over the steps of the Capitol and listening to "The Navy Hymn" and the music recaptured that moment as if it was yesterday.

It wasn't solely the music I savored but it was also the historical images they engendered. Indeed, music affects all "ages"!

The CD is a professional product that will hopefully be enjoyed by thousands for many years to come.

Average customer rating:

Jefferson an d liberty

Jefferson and Liberty
Itinerant Band
Manufacturer: Southern Branch Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The World Turned Upside Down
Colonial America
Early American Roots
The Road Out Of Town
Music of the American Revolution: The Birth of Liberty

ASIN: B00005OSX4
Release Date: 2001-04-15

Tracks:

Smash the Windows/Kesh Jig/Tenpenny Bit
Fisher's Hornpipe/Rights of Man
La Bastringue
Wind that Shakes the Barley/Sheebeg Sheemore
Hunt the Squirrel/Road to Lisdoonvarna/Haste to the Wedding
John Cherokee
Dark Girl Dressed in Blue/Over the Waterfall/Flowers of Edinburgh
O! Say Bonnie Lass/Glen Affric
Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above
Planxty George Brabazon/Sir John Fenwick the Flower Among Them All
Soldier's Joy /Liberty
Jefferson and Liberty
British Grenadiers/La Belle Catherine/Come Dance and Sing

Album Description

Jefferson and Liberty is a collection of 18th century tunes and songs chosen as representative of those played and sung by working class musicians in the North American colonies. It features jigs, hornpipes, and reels from the English and American country dance repertoire, as well as a French-Canadian dance and party song, La Bastringue"; airs from Ireland and Scotland, military fife tunes from England and France, a Charles Wesley hymn and a Caribbean sea Chantey. The title cut, "Jefferson and Liberty" is an Irish jig that was adopted as Thomas Jefferson's 1800 presidential campaign song. Also included is "O! Say Bonnie Lass", a song taken from the recently discovered musical notebooks of Capt. George Bush, a soldier in Washington's continental army. The album is a sampling of colonial American and European music that would have been shared across political and social boundaries from the pubs and taverns to the dances and parlors.

Customer Reviews:

Jefferson an d liberty.......2007-02-21

My wife heard this music on line and asked me to purchase it for her. She thoroughly loves it

Average customer rating:

Traditional songs of the sea.

Homeward Bound
Revels
Manufacturer: Revels Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00006JM8D
Release Date: 2002-10-01

Tracks:

Roll Down
Can't You Dance The Polka?
Threescore And Ten
The Maid On The Shore
Ocean
The Leaving Of Liverpool
Here's A Health To The Company
Drake's Drum
Run Th eRiggin' Again
Noah's Ark
The Herring's Head
The Fush Of The Sea/Yea Ho, Little Fish
Dance Set
Euroclydon
Adieu, Sweet Lovely Nancy
Boston
Blood-Red Roses
Anchor Song
Lady Franklin's Lament
The Last Leviathan
Rolling Down To Old Maui
The Jamestown Homeward Bound
Rolling Home To Old New England

Customer Reviews:

Traditional songs of the sea........2007-07-07

If one likes traditional songs created during the days of the sail ship from the U.S. and England, then this is a good cd for that. I enjoyed it very much.

Liberty Tree: Early American Music 1776-1861

Average customer rating:

Very Enjoyable
Wow.
A Great Album For Historic Music Fans

Liberty Tree: Early American Music 1776-1861

Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Music of the American Revolution: The Birth of Liberty
American Christmas
The World Turned Upside Down

ASIN: B00000AGN3
Release Date: 1998-08-18

Tracks:

Yankee Doodle
Chester
Liberty Tree
The Boston March
David's Lamentation
Jefferson and Liberty
Rights of Woman
The Appletree
Dormant
Hero and Leander
Mary's dream
On the Road to Boston
Jolly Soldier
Jefferson and Liberty
Abraham's Daughter
Brave Wolfe
Irish air
The Blue Bells of Scotland
The Working boy
Poor old Maids
Bob in the Bed
Old Tare River
The Rose Tree (The Knoxville Harmony)
Clovergreen
Parting Friends
Ode to Science

Customer Reviews:

Very Enjoyable.......2006-03-20

A really nice selection of American patriotic music from the Revolution to the onset of the Civil War. The performances are excellent. It includes some of the best work, including his patriotic anthem Chester, by the outstanding New England choral composer William Billings.

Wow........2001-12-19

I just got this CD in the mail -- bought for a friend who is a new citizen. Thought I'd give it a listen first. Wow. I own a fair amount of 18th century popular and choral music, and a few Boston Camerata discs. This beauty is going straight to the top of my list of favorites. Lovely, very musical. I agree with the previous review that this disc captures the history, but I want to recommend the recordings as music, too.

A Great Album For Historic Music Fans.......2000-08-09

This is by far the best recordings of historic American music that I have come across. The arrangements are beautiful for all the songs. Chester and Dormant are my two favorites. In addition, the information and background for all the songs is given in the booklet. I found this to be very helpful and interesting. If you are sick of hearing historic songs being butchered by banjos, dulcimers and mandolines, and want to hear the real thing, than this is the album for you. I love this record!

Jefferson on Liberty - Double Volume Set

Average customer rating:

Jefferson on Liberty - Double Volume Set

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00005Q3UU
Release Date: 2000-12-01

Tracks:

Introduction
Philosophical Foundations of Liberty
Ideal Government
Slavery & Womens Rights
Reproductive Rights
Right to Revolution
Controlled Substances
Self-Government
Jeffersons Idea of Freedom
Discussion Section
Credits

Tracks:

Introduction
Slavery
Jeffersons Views on Native Americans
Slavery Conclusion
French and Haitian Revolutions
Right to Suicide
Right to Suicide (cont.)
Freedom of Speech and Religion
Freedom from Want and Fear
Discussion Section
Credits

Album Description

You turn up the volume to catch the top-of-the-hour headline news. The President unveils his plan for education. A group protests the cost of medicine in Africa. The Pope apologizes for a past sin. A communist country demands a U.S. apology for a perceived present day atrocity. You pause - and wonder what “truths” the people of the other country are being told. For a brief moment, you are thankful you live in a nation based on unalienable rights and basic freedoms.

Please join the author of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute for Religious Liberty, Thomas Jefferson, as he takes us from the foundation of liberty and the ideals of the past through to new perspectives on current issues.

This program is hosted by scholar and historian William G. Chrystal.

Music Review: