Customer Reviews

An American Christmas: Shapenote Carols from New England & Appalachia

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This CD will bring great joy to you at Christmas. I love variety in my Christmas music; I don't want to hear the same things over and over. These shape note selections are not as well-known today as the more commercial stuff, but they were once some of the best-known Christmas and Advent songs, part of our nation's musical heritage. The songs have an edginess many find thrilling. Shape note/Sacred Harp arrangements are different from what is commonly used today: melody is sung by men and women(tenor line), with high and low harmony (treble & bass), and freqently a counter-melody (alto).The selections are lusciously arranged and performed a cappella by the Tudor Choir [...]. They were drawn from Karen Willard's compilation music/song book [...] entitled "An American Christmas Harp." Karen is a well-known SH singer in Seattle, which is also the home base of the Tudor Choir. The liner notes and accompanying booklet are first-rate, again thanks to Karen. I came to know of Karen, her book, and this CD because I also am a SH/shape note singer. Perhaps, after listening to these performances, you will be inspired to seek out a singing yourself.

This is one of my favorite Christmas CDs. It's hard to keep from tapping your foot as this choral group sings a selection of traditional carols from New England & Appalachia that most of us have probably not heard. This is pure vocal music....no musical instruments accompany the shapenote choir.

Shape notes are a music notation designed to facilitate congregational and community singing. The notation, introduced in 1801, became a popular teaching device in American singing schools.

It is absolutely splendid and I highly recommend purchasing this CD.