Note: Lists of tunes presented on many of the recordings described below can be found in Berkley Moore's Shape Note Recordings Index
"Tim Eriksen Presents Shape Note at the Newport Folk Festival 2006". In the first performance of shape-note singing since 1963 at famed Newport (RI) Folk Festival, Tim Eriksen assembled around 65 singers (by his count) from the eastern U.S. and performed eight Sacred Harp songs, along with four other sacred songs sung by Tim himself. FestivaLink.net is offering a live 35-minute recording of this performance as a download (MP3 for $10.95 or FLAC (a lossless audio format with CD-quality) for $15.95) and as a mailed CD ($17.95). The Web site has 30-second audio clips of the 12 tracks, on which the Sacred Harp songs sound extremely intense and spirited -- more so than at the best Southern singings. Order online at the www.festivalink.net Web site.
"American Angels: Songs of Hope, Redemption, and Glory," sung by Anonymous 4. Anonymous 4, a highly acclaimed women's vocal quartet (Marsha Genensky, Susan Hellauer, Jacqueline Horner, and Johanna Maria Rose) specializing until now in early European music, turn their attention to the roots of Anglo-American sacred music. This remarkable and unique recording, issued in early 2004, contains 20 tunes, 16 of which are either 18th century New England psalmody or early 19th century Southern shape-note tunes, and four of which are later 19th century gospel songs. The ladies sing their parts delicately and beautifully, with agile grace notes. As they sing more or less in the same octave and with similar timbre, their voices blend well (anonymously) into a single harmonious unit. The 64-page accompanying booklet contains excellent detailed notes on the music in English, French, and German. The historical notes, written mainly by Ms. Genensky, reflect the serious study of this musical genre and consultation with expert musicologists (including Warren Steel and Nym Cooke) by the group prior to making the recording. This recording has received outstanding reviews from classical music critics and has become a best seller among classical CDs in 2004. Check the Anonymous 4 Web site for detailed information and several downloadable songs from the recording. Harmonia Mundi HMU 907326. Available in record stores and online stores.
"Gloryland" sung by Anonymous 4 with instrumentalists Darol Anger and Mike Marshall. This sequel to "American Angels" has 19 tracks, of which around eight are shape-note tunes, and the others are gospel songs (such as "Just Over in the Gloryland" and religious folk songs. Many of the songs are sung a cappella, but some have string instrumental accompaniment. Sample audio clips can be downloaded for listening on the Anonymous 4 Web site (From the home page find links for "Gloryland").
Recordings by the Tudor Choir of Seattle, Washington. The Tudor Choir is a professional choral ensemble of 16-19 singers directed by Doug Fullington. In their shape-note recordings and performances, they manage to achieve a fusion of the style of traditional high-energy, high-pulse Sacred Harp singing and the astringent style of an early-music group. Most songs are sung in a vigorous, vibrato-less style with a timbre having an "edge" atypical of choral groups, and with prominent brassy or reedy alto voices perhaps inspired by Alabama Sacred Harp altos. Their shape-note work has been inspired and guided in part by Sacred Harp alto singer and musicologist Karen Willard of the Seattle area. The CDs are sold through the Tudor Choir Web site, through Gothic Records or Amazon.com.
"Rivers of Delight," sung by the Word of Mouth Chorus, Larry Gordon, director. This superb 1979 Nonesuch recording by a pioneering New England vocal ensemble has been the major nationally marketed Sacred Harp recording for fifteen years, and is still selling in CD format. The Chorus attempted, with incomplete success, to emulate the sound of traditional Southern singers whom they heard during visits to Georgia and Alabama. Cassette NONE-C71360 or CD NONE-CD71360. Availability is probably mainly from online stores such as Amazon.com.
Recordings by Singing Ensembles led by Larry Gordon (Bayley-Hazen Singers, Northern Harmony ensemble, Village Harmony, etc.). Detailed information can be found on the Village Harmony/Northern Harmony Web site. Items can be ordered through their online store. Bulk prices are available on request, for information phone 802-426-3210 or send e-mail to nharmony@pair.com.
"Songs from The Missouri Harmony," recorded by the St. Louis Shape Note Singers. This recording. first issued on cassette tape in 1994 and reissued in 2001 on CD, presents 21 selections from The Missouri Harmony, 1846 Edition, which was reprinted in March 1994 (see Tunebooks chapter) performed by 14 shape-note singers from St. Louis, led by Kathleen Thro. These songs, which are often presented with both note-solmization and words, are important and beautiful ones not found in The Sacred Harp. The dissonant harmonization of "Captain Kidd" and the song"Converse" are particularly appealing. The price is $12.00 per CD postpaid until the supply runs out. Order from St. Louis Shape Note Singers,c/o Presley Barker, 5508 Windmill Rd., Imperial, MO 63052. The CD will be re-released by the Missouri Historical Society Press in 2005.
Sweet Seraphic Fire: New England Singing School Music from The Norumbega Harmony performed by Norumbega Harmony directed by Stephen Marini. This 2005 recording by a foremost Boston-based performing group of early American music features 35 tunes from the new outstanding tunebook The Norumbega Harmony edited by Stephen Marini and others. The selections are 24 tunes (many previously neglected but still beautiful) by such 18th century New England composers as Holden, Billings, French, T. Swan, and Belcher, four tunes by 19th century Southern composers such as Chapin and M.L. Swan, and seven tunes in compatible styles by contemporary composers. The 28-page liner notes include an historical essay by Mr. Marini and tune texts and commentaries. New World Records no. 80640. List price $16.00 plus shipping. One can order from online stores such as New World Records.
"Sing and Joyful Be," sung by the Norumbega Harmony, Stephen Marini, director. A digital recording of many early American and Sacred Harp songs and anthems, sung with enthusiasm and discipline by the major performing group of early American shape-note music in the Boston area. Included are an excellent essay on the cover and song texts inside. This popular recording made in 1989 is now available on CD. $16.00 per CD or $11.00 per cassette postpaid. Make checks out to Norumbega Harmony, Inc. Order from A. K., 200 Clare Ave., Hyde Park, MA 02136.
A related recording: "Shaker Songs: Come to Zion," sung by Norumbega Harmony and Singers of Hancock Shaker Village, directed by Stephen Marini. This excellent recording presents 35 Shaker songs and anthems of all types dating from early hymnals to the 1908 hymnal. Because the Shakers forbade harmony until the late 19th century, all songs on the recording except for eight from later hymnals are sung in unison. Still the singing is beautiful and moving. Available in cassette format for $11.00 plus $1.00 shipping and in CD format for $16.00 plus $1.00 shipping. Make checks out to Norumbega Harmony, Inc. Order from A. K., 200 Clare Ave., Hyde Park, MA 02136.
"Make a Joyful Noise: Mainstreams and Backwaters of American Psalmody 1770-1840," sung by the Oregon State University Choir, Ron Jeffers, conductor. This 1996 CD is a reissue of a 1978 New World LP which for years was one of the few available recordings of early American psalmody. It contains 17 selections by Billings, Belcher, Kimball, Swan, Read, including several quite noteworthy ones. The choral singing is polished, but an effort was made, under the guidance of musicologist Richard Crawford, to achieve a forthright, crisp, pulsed singing style. The scholarly liner notes by Richard Crawford are unusually extensive and are alone a reason to purchase this recording. New World Records 80255-2. Order from record stores, mail-order houses, or directly from New World Records at 212-290-1685.
Recordings by Northampton Harmony. This New England-based quartet features Jeff Colby on bass, Timothy Eriksen on lead, Kelly House on treble, and Cath Oss on alto. These relatively young people have memorable voice timbres and a remarkable singing style which resembles that of Appalachian singers and Sacred Harp singers of earlier generations. Their style may also be influenced by the fact that Tim and Cath belong(ed) to Cordelia's Dad, an internationally known rock band.
Recordings of shape-note music in which all parts are sung by Judy Hauff:
"Newfound Hills" sung in all four parts by Tom Malone. Tom Malone, singer, folklorist, musicologist, and editor, has produced a CD recording of 32 songs from the tunebook he edited, The Christian Harmony by Jeremiah Ingalls, Bicentennial 2005 Edition (see Tunebook chapter). He sings all four parts, in the manner of Judy Hauff (see above items) and Whit Denson. Nearly all the tunes are less familiar ones from the original Ingalls' tunebook, so the CD will help familiarize singers with these tunes. For more information and price (probably $7.50-10), e-mail Tom at shapenote@gmail.com.
"Vermont Harmony" recordings by the University of Vermont Choral Union. Between 1971 and 1989, the Choral Union, a group of around forty non-professional singers under the direction of James Chapman, produced four recordings of nearly 100 hymns, anthems, fuging tunes, and secular pieces published between 1790 to 1810 by Vermont composers. The initial volume was rerecorded with better sound quality around 1990. Three of the original four volumes are still available on cassette or LP with detailed notes on the music and composers by Betty Bandel. Mr. Chapman is willing to sell whatever recordings are still in stock. For information first contact the University of Vermont Department of Music, Burlington, VT 05405-0145, phone 802-656-3040. If they are unable to help, phone 802-899-2237. Prices: Cassette or LP with notes but without scores: $10.00 plus around $4.00 postage each. Library Edition of recordings with complete scores at $16.00 plus around $4.00 postage each. Separate scores alone are available at $7.50 plus around $2.00 postage each. The volumes are as follows:
"Original Sacred Harp" sung by Cross Ties Band, formerly The Universal Pickers. This collection of 18 Sacred Harp tunes on CD is an enhanced reissue of a 1993 recording in which 15 tunes were sung by a quartet of young men from Georgia (The Universal Pickers) who generally play (with stringed instruments) and sing bluegrass, gospel, spirituals, and traditional Irish music. They feel that Sacred Harp music, which they were taught to sing by Hugh McGraw, is "the ultimate." They (Randy Garrett, Randy Ellis, Jimmy Baggett, and Johnny Wright) sing all parts a cappella in the traditional manner, with preliminary singing of the notes. A four-track recorder was used to provide a 16-voice choral effect. The result is spirited and unpolished singing with good clarity of individual parts. Sound bites of many tracks can be heard at the band's web page for this recording. The present CD, issued in 2003, has an additional three songs performed by the successor band Cross Ties, which has three of the original members, plus Jon Ellis and Bret Mulcay. The CD can be purchased on the band's Web site via credit card for $12.99 postpaid, or by a check for that amount mailed to Cross Ties, 5950 Mt. Zion Rd., Waco, GA 30182.
"A Colonial Christmas" performed by Early Music New York directed by Frederick Renz. This recording, issued in 2004, features 40 tracks of early American choral tunes and English/colonial fiddle tunes, in approximately equal numbers for each, performed by an ensemble of nine male singers and four instrumentalists in residence at New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The tunes are from Billings, Read, Kimball, Woodruff, Benham, and Holyoke, as well as Wyeth's, Walker's and the Swans' shape-note books. According to Berkley Moore, there are first recordings in any form of compositions by Kimball and Woodruff as well as three by Holyoke. The outstanding singing is highly polished, expressive, and beautiful, and the musical selections are intelligently chosen. However, the austere and distant sound of the voices and the overly reverberant acoustics of the recording hall (a chapel in the Cathedral) evoke Gothic Europe more than colonial America. The interspersed dancing tunes by John Playford et al., while not specifically for the Christmas season, are among the more joyful selections on the recording. There are excellent liner notes with song texts. The recording, issued with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is on the Ex Cathedra label, no. 70070-29006-2. Order from Amazon.com, Borders.com, or other record stores.
Recordings by the Boston Camerata, directed by Joel Cohen. The Boston Camerata is a professional early-music chamber group of singers and instrumentalists which has produced a substantial number of recordings of medieval and Renaissance music, Christian, Jewish, and secular (see the Schwann Opus catalog for listings). Mr. Cohen has always had an interest in early American folk song and folk-religious music and their roots. In fact, Mr. Cohen and the Camerata's star soprano Anne Azéma occasionally sing Sacred Harp in the Boston area. The Camerata has produced excellent recordings featuring early American folk religious music performed in a disciplined classical style. Some songs are sung as vocal solos, while others are sung in choral style, and many have instrumental accompaniment. The notes contain some historical information. Some of the recordings below are found in major record stores, and the Erato recordings that have gone out of print are being reissued by Warner Classics. A few are currently "special order." The best place to order them is from the Camerata online store or from the Camerata offices at 775 Harrison St., Boston, MA 02118, phone 617-262-2092, e-mail boston.camerata@verizon.net, in which case the profits go toward underwriting present and future musical activities of the Camerata.
Recordings by His Majestie's Clerkes, now Bella Voce, Anne Heider, artistic director. His Majestie's Clerkes, founded in 1982 and renamed Bella Voce in 2001, is a chamber choir based in Chicago specializing in classical a cappella music, particularly early and contemporary European music. The group has made a number of recordings under the direction of distinguished guest conductors. The name change to Bella Voce was made to reflect its broad repertoire. In addition to being permanent director, Anne Heider (now Emeritus) also finds time to sing alto with the Chicago Sacred Harp singers and to do research on the resurgence of shape-note singing in the Midwest. The records below can be ordered from online stores, including the Belle Voce Web store which uses Paypal.
"Wake Ev'ry Breath: William Billings (1746-1800)" performed by the William Appling Singers and Orchestra, William Appling, conductor. This ensemble of 20 professional singers and 7 instrumentalists perform 15 psalm-tunes, anthems, canons, and fuging tunes of Billings on this 1997 CD recording. Most of the sacred works are recorded a cappella or with inobtrusive strings (consistent with historical practice in New England), while the patriotic pieces Chester/America include piccolo and drums. In accordance with Billings recommendations, the bass part is augmented with additional voices, and both men and women sing tenor and treble parts. While there is considerable overlap of pieces with previous professional Billings recordings, there are some newly recorded works. The liner notes by William McClelland include the texts of the songs. New World Records 80539-2. Available in record outlets or from New World Records at 212-290-1685.
"William Billings, the Continental Harmonist," performed by the Gregg Smith Singers conducted by Gregg Smith. This CD, a reissue of an older LP, includes performances of Chester, Easter Anthem, I Am the Rose of Sharon, David's Lamentation, and other sacred and humorous secular works, generally different from those on the His Majestie's Clerkes CD above. The quality and exuberance of the singing are excellent. Unfortunately, 27 minutes of this disc are devoted to (wasted on?) a new composition by Gregg Smith for orchestra and choir and intended for choreography. It utilizes several Billings tunes arranged in modern harmony. Premier Recordings PRCD1008. It is out of print and not readily available for sale.
"Billings Alive!" performed by the National Psalm Singers conducted by Michael Keith Ripka. This 79-minute CD presents 18 choral compositions by Billings sung exuberantly by a competent choir accompanied by a "full orchestra" (an electronic synthesizer). Two tunes are repeated with a piano oddly replacing the choir. The orchestration by Mr. Ripka, who has a background in Broadway musicals and theater, sports a pop-music style which evokes a possible subtitle of "Billings on Broadway." For some of the tunes, the orchestral additions and the choral singing seem so incongruous that listeners accustomed to more formal renditions will find the recording amusing (or worse), yet Billings' tuneful melodies shine through nevertheless. On a more positive note, Billings' music emerges as more "alive!" and rhythmic on this recording than on most others, and as Berkley Moore has pointed out, the recording presents at least five tunes that have apparently not been commercially recorded previously. From the Web site one can listen to all of the tracks, read the playlist and information about Billings, and order CDs ($15.00 per CD plus 10 per cent for shipping).
Recordings by the Elastic Millennium Choir of Nova Scotia, Canada. This interesting musical group based in Halifax researches and performs early traditional music of Canada, particularly music with religous texts, including shape-note music. However, their Web site has disappeared, and current information about the status of the group could not be found on the Web. The previously listed address is Elastic Millennium Choir, Suite 13, 3045 Robie St., Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 4P6,Canada, phone 902-455-2248.
"America Sings," vol. 1, The Founding Years (1620-1800), sung by the Gregg Smith Singers conducted by Gregg Smith. This 1993 release (Vox Box CDX 5080) is a 2-CD set that is a reissue of a four-LP Vox Box of 1976. This is a rich and varied collection, having about 76 pieces of early New England sacred and secular music, sung by a disciplined choir which has championed American music. Particularly noteworthy to the shape-note enthusiast are music from the Ainsworth Psalter (brought over by the Pilgrims) and the Bay Psalm Book (first music book published in colonies), hymns and anthems by Billings, Read, Ingalls, Stevenson, Selby, and Morgan, and music from Lyon's tunebook Urania (1761). The CDs also include parlor songs by F. Hopkinson, Moravian music, and secular music of the American Revolution. There are informative liner notes also. Sadly, the recording seems to be out of print.
"Christmas in Early America: 18th Century Carols and Anthems," by the Columbus Consort, directed by Joseph Pettit. This 1993 CD (Channel Classics CD CCS 5693) contains 18 compositions by such composers as Supply Belcher, Samuel Holyoke, Joseph Stephenson, Jacob French, William Billings, and several Moravian composers. The compositions are interesting and often not well known. The performers are a Netherlands-based international group of nine trained singers and seven instrumentalists, only six of whom are North American. The singing style is that of a highly polished early-music group. There are good notes by Pettit. Available in major record stores. A Web description of the recording is now laborious to find on the "improved" Web site. On the Channel Classics home page, go to "Search" and under "Channel Classics Artist" select "Columbus Consort" from the menu .
Complete songs from the Missouri Harmony performed on an electronic keyboard by David Ressler. Mr. Ressler has prepared renditions of every song in the Missouri Harmony, 1846 edition, generated electronically with a different sound for each part to enable one to follow a given part. The entire set of songs is contained on three cassettes, all of which are now available. The price is $3.00 per cassette plus $3.00 postage per order. Order from Mr. Ressler at 5351 Odell St., St. Louis, MO 63139.
