Customer Reviews

Sacred Harp Singing

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While the three-star reviewer does have a point (the recording quality on this disc is not as clear as say the southern journey recordings), this should only be of minor consequence. Alan Lomax himself stated that this attempt at recording a sacred harp singing was not as successful as his later attempts in stereo (refer once again to southern journey). However, the recordings are not necessarily unclear or "muddy" as the aforementioned reviewer put it. They are quite clear enough to hear just how emotional and moving these renditions are. While the recording quality is not as good as some other discs, I prefer versions of songs on this disc to others I've heard (David's Lamentation, Wondrous Love, etc.) It also contains the only recorded version I've heard of "Lover of the Lord", a wonderful sort of curiosity within this set, with a sound all its own. For the historical value and notable renditions contained on this disc, it is more than worth your investment. The only prerequisite is that you know what you're getting into: This is some of the most authentic, unabashed and powerful music you're likely to hear, regardless of when or how it was recorded.

Someone once described sacred harp singing as singer's music rather than listener's music, which is as accurate a label as I can think of. This is like nothing you've ever heard before and it will stay with you for a long, long time.

I must respont to the "muddy" review. This is not music to be critically listened to as an art form. There is no intention to make art here; this is the sound of the human voice singing words of praise. It's corporate and made for God's ears, not our's which get caught on "hooks" and complicated arrangements. John Wesley said that no voice should stand out - Even I with a highly trained voice just sing along on worship. It's a refreshing diversion from contemporary CHristian praise music which features the voices of Barbie and Ken. THIS IS REAL AND ABSOLUTELY RAW. One is correct if they find it hard to sit back and listen too (unless one has an interest in musicilogy as did the recorder of these songs) BUT IF YOU WANT TO WORSHIP IN A PURE AND NEW (though it's old), I SUGGEST YOU ACQUIRE A HYNAL so you can forgrt about the self and sing along. This recrding was created as an historical document, but it brings me so much more. The COLD MOUNTAIN soundtrack has two of these shape note pieces on it IDUMEA was extremely effective and haunting during the huge battle scene in the movie.

I found this to sound authentic but "muddy". The words are hard to distinguish at times. This is how we used to sound with untrained voices and not everybody being on exact time.