Customer Reviews

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
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This recording secures Mack Wilberg's reputation as *the* preeminent choral arranger of our day. Really -- there's no contest. When working with the American folk hymns for which he has such an affinity, or any other piece for that matter, Wilberg has a knack for finding the core essence of the tune and text and creating an arrangement that amplifies the original rather than buries it in contrived effect (as so many lesser arrangers do). What's more, he's an astonishingly gifted orchestrator.

When these arrangements are brought to life by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (in stellar form here!) and the Orchestra at Temple Square, the result is utterly spell-binding. I just can't imagine a more potent combination of repertory, arranger, conductor, and ensemble. This is the kind of exceptional collaborative effort that comes along maybe once in a lifetime.

If that isn't enough, the wonderful Moses Hogan and Howard Roberts arrangements of spirituals on this disk reveal a side of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir that even many of its fans may not be familiar with -- they are without peer when it comes to the concert tradition of African-American spirituals. The hard-to-find recording of spirituals the Choir made in 1997 (An American Heritage of Spirituals, conducted by Moses Hogan and Albert McNeil) was an important early step in this development, but the spirituals on this current disk are even more energized, focused, heartfelt, and disciplined than the earlier recording, and less "wooly" sounding. The choral sound on "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me" and "Rock-a-My-Soul" for example (not to mention Alex Boye's spine-tingling solos) is as close to perfection as I think I'll ever hear. And every other track on this disk is just as good.

The order of tracks is important, moving with carefully judged effect from triumphant to contemplative to joyful to pastoral and through the entire spectrum of folk-hymn types. And just when you begin to feel that "Amazing Grace" (complete with bagpipes) can't be surpassed as a closer, you get Wilberg's incomparable arrangement of the album's title track in what must be considered the definitive recording.

In short, there is something very special about this disk; it raises the bar and redefines standards of choral excellence. Anyone with even a smidgen of interest in folk hymns and spirituals should listen to it. But all serious choral musicians *need* to hear it!

There are three musical genres in which the Mormon Tabernacle Choir excels: sacred music, patriotic music, and folk songs. "Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing" is filled with stunning examples of the third category, and it is one of their strongest albums ever. A huge reason for the album's success lies in the striking arrangements of their current musical director, Mack Wilberg. Long recognized as a premiere arranger of folk songs, his musical stamp is all over this recording, with thirteen of the seventeen songs being his own arrangements. "Saints Bound For Heaven" opens the disc, and a more joyous, powerful reading could not be hoped for - from there, the disc alternates between gorgeous, lyrical melodies (like "Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort" and "His Voice as the Sound") and joyous declarations of faith, such as "Bound For The Promised Land," "How Bright Is The Day," "Down To The River To Pray," and the title track.

Most surprising of all is the soulful gospel revealed in songs like "I Want Jesus To Walk With Me" and "Rock-A-My-Soul In The Bosom Of Abraham" (both featuring soloist and choir member Alex Boyé). The size of the choir, coupled with their diligent perfectionism result in some of the most moving, inspiring music making of their entire oeuvre. Other favorites of mine on the disc include "The Battle Of Jericho" "Deep River" and the seminal "Amazing Grace" (also in a new arrangement by Mack Wilberg, which is stunning.) But I cannot recommend this disc highly enough - in these difficult times, this is music to lift you up.

Here's the track listing:
1. Saints Bound For Heaven
Music: American Folk Hymn (THE SAINTS BOUND FOR HEAVEN)
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 2:53

2. My Song In The Night
Music: American Folk Hymn (EXPRESSION)
Text: adapted from Joseph Swain
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 4:39

3. We'll Shout And Give Him Glory
Music: American Folk Hymn (REVIVAL SONG)
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 3:59

4. His Voice As The Sound
Music: American Folk Hymn (SAMANTHRA)
Text: adapted from Joseph Swain
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 5:29

5. How Bright Is The Day
Music: American Folk Hymn (SAWYER'S EXIT)
Text: Reverend S. B. Sawyer
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 3:18

6. Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort
Music: American Folk Hymn (MOUNT WATSON)
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 7:19

7. My God, My Portion And My Love
Music: American Folk Hymn (DUNLAP'S CREEK)
Text: Isaac Watts
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 5:30

8. Bound For The Promised Land
Music: American Folk Hymn (THE PROMISED LAND)
Text: Samuel Stennett
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 2:44

9. I Want Jesus To Walk With Me
Music: African-American Spiritual
Arrangement: Moses Hogan
Soloist: Alex Boyé 3:54

10. Old-Time Religion
Music: African-American Spiritual
Arrangement: Moses Hogan; adapted by Benjamin Harlan 3:06

11. The Battle Of Jericho
Music: African-American Spiritual
Arrangement: Moses Hogan 2:39

12. Deep River
Music: African-American Spiritual
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 4:35

13. Down To The River To Pray
Music: American Folk Hymn/African-American Spiritual
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 3:58

14. Rock-A-My-Soul In The Bosom Of Abraham
Music: African-American Spiritual
Arrangement: Howard A. Roberts
Soloist: Alex Boyé 3:07

15. Softly And Tenderly
Music: Will L. Thompson (THOMPSON)
Text: Will L. Thompson
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 5:55

16. Amazing Grace
Music: American Folk Hymn (AMAZING GRACE)
Text: John Newton
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 6:25

17. Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
Music: American Folk Hymn (NETTLETON)
Text: Robert Robinson
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg 6:09

This my favorite album of the Tabernacle Mormon Choir. Music divinely interpetras by Coral com orchestra. Surely this is the best choir in the Word! My dream is to her him peronally,but for now does not by financial problems.

This is a little different take on the traditional hymns we often hear. I like it. The arrangements make the hymn identification a little tricky at first. Great change of pace.

I bought this CD after seeing Alex Boye's solos on the Pioneer Day concert. I loved his performances, which added so much life to the traditional music the Mo-tabs sing. I wish that the quality of his solos were better, he doesn't seem to have a microphone, but I love his spirit, and I absolutely love these songs. I've played it for days since receiving it! This music is a pick-me-up and is enjoyable for everyday listening, as well as Sunday.

I must say that this album is stunning in reptoire and sound.I like it very much and listen to pieces almost every day.I am not a Latter Day Saint and never will be.I am a Seventh Day Adventist,but I lift my hat to to the LDS Church and their wonderful choir,for their love of music and for the skillful way in which they produce the drama of sound and feeling.My favourite choir by far.

This is a must have CD for anyone interested in choral music. The selection of songs is delightful, and the orchestral arrangements are nothing short of stunning. You can feel the passion of the singers in 'Come Thou Font of Every Blessing.' Amazing Grace, complete with bagpipe, will knock your socks off. The orchestral arrangements for this song are magnificent and at the same time, understated......I listen to this song over and over and over, performed by a world class choir! You will not regret purchasing this CD.

It is so hard to find good American folk hymns without the pop style. They do a great job. The selections are wonderful. The CD is long which is great! It's great!

After reading a review of this CD in our local paper, I ordered it. After hearing it, I've reordered it a number of times for family and friends. It was a real surprise (okay, shock!) to hear TMTC sing what we call "Negro Spirituals" but they do a magnificent job!! The other songs ("Amazing Grace", "Come Thou Fount", "His Voice As The Sound") are just as inspiring and well done as well. The feeling that they give when they sing "Deep River" and "I Want Jesus To Walk With Me" brings tears to your eyes!! BRAVO!! Now if they would just do "THE SONG" of songs, Roland Carter's arrangement of James Weldon Johnson's "Lift Every Voice and Sing" . . . .

This CD contains a nice variety of folk hymns and spirituals that create different moods. Some make you want to tap your feet, others are sweetly contemplative, all are enjoyable. I enjoyed the brief history that was included for each piece of music.