Customer Reviews

Sound Over All Waters

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Awesome! Is it gospel or jazz? Theresa Thomason's incredible artistry with a resonant lower register and a high range that won't quit, skillfully moves through a succession of hip chord changes and swinging rhythms. Here, on one recording is a soulful collection of tunes which alternately excite, sooth, and inspire. Most amazing "Freedom Trilogy" combines a Gregorian Chant, Amazing Grace and African Folk songs. It is sensational! The closing cut "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" is like a prayer and very peaceful. I have bought this recording for each of my family members and they are equally enthusiastic. Kudos for Paul Halley and Theresa Thomason for this superlative recording!

I was introduced to Paul Halley's music through a concert in which several local choirs joined together to perform his "Freedom Trilogy" and "Sound over all Waters". The music was extremely moving even when performed by non-professionals. But this is the definitive recording of his work and it is exceptional. It's cross-generational too -- My wife and I and our 17-year old daughter (who was one of the choir members that performed at the concert) have listened to this over and over in our home and enjoyed every moment of it. This music has and will always have a special place in our hearts.

Every year I hope to find one or two works that go to a best of...list. This is the one for 2000. Halley's talent teamed with Ms. Thomason's voice must be heard. It is true, you cannot appreciate it after only one listening.

This is a joyful, uplifting, inspiring CD. The combination of the powerful singing of Theresa Thomason and the incredible musicianship of Paul Halley makes this a "must have" CD.

The first time I listened to this album, I had to immediately listen to it again and again. It is unlike any music I have ever heard. It is an astonishing and flawless hybrid of Gospel, folk, high Anglican church music, and other genres. It is deeply spiritual and exuberantly joyful. It has quickly become a favorite that I highly recommend.

Paul Halley is a gifted musician who brings us some interesting arrangements of spirituals on this CD, although, to my ears, the quality varies. The selection "Freedom Trilogy", a blending of a Kyrie, Amazing Grace, and a popular African song, is a refreshing and unusual masterpiece. I also really enjoyed several other choral arrangements, including Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen. At the same time, the spirituals that are mostly or entirely solos are fine but nothing special. The opening selection is a beautiful arrangement by Halley of The Rain is Over and Gone that I have performed with a local church choir. However, I found this performance, with its combination of spare voice and accompaniment, to lack the richness that our choir found in this brilliant arrangement. Overall, I still recommend this CD. My reservations are only because I have come to expect a lot of Halley, and that standard is not consistently maintained on this CD. Others may disagree, and I think everyone will thoroughly enjoy the really good selections.

Given the cacophony of sounds that assault the ears of the professional musician today, "Sound Over All Waters," is a rare and distinctive offering which pours over the ear like cool water on a hot day. I first heard one cut from this wonderful album on WRTI at 5:00 AM and was so impressed by the superb soloist, the impeccable choral work, and the imaginative arrangements that I had to call the station to get the name of the album. The opening tune alone is worth the price of the CD, Altogether an exciting and gratifying musical experience that you won't want to miss!

I've heard Theresa Thomason perform - by now - probably at least a dozen times since I first heard her in 1996. In fact, it was just a few months ago that I heard her most recently, in her featured return to Paul Winter's Winter Solstice concert in New York. She was her usual stunning self, a gospel/pops/jazz diva of immense talents.

For lack of an alternative, "Sound Over All Waters" must be considered Theresa's "debut album," at least insofar as hearing her remarkable voice being featured is concerned.

Most of the tracks on this CD will give the listener a good idea of the qualities of Theresa's voice: its power, its richness, and, most of all, the gospel fervor of which she is so capable. The album certainly starts off well, with one of the two "signature" tunes of hers that I've been imprinted with after so many live appearances, "The Rain Is Over And Done."

But her other "signature" tune, "I'll Trust," does not nearly come off as well as I've heard her perform it live. I'm not quite sure why, but the effect just isn't there. Perhaps a different "take" might have been better; perhaps a little less reliance on Paul Halley's part to "overproduce" the song would have gone to better effect.

The most successful tracks on the album are those with the least amount of back-up by Halley, his session musicians and his choruses (not that the musicians are otherwise less than superb). But, on the true gospel songs (not the pop stuff) for which Theresa is so much loved and admired, there just seems to be too much "there, there." This is a gal having a voice that doesn't need all that back-up; "less is more."

Despite these misgivings, the album succeeds in presenting Theresa as a gospel/pop vocalist of real ability, style and excellent voice.

There is also a jazz side to her, not displayed here, that is worth one's listening time. For those interested, I heartily recommend Dorothy Papadakos's "Shades of Green," on which Theresa does a devastatingly authentic Billie Holiday, singing Lady Day's great hit, "Willow Weep For Me."

There is, I'm sure, another album inside Theresa, waiting to get out. One that parlays her gospel, pop and jazz skills to better effect, using a more simpatico back-up group. "Sound Over All Waters" will do for now. But I'm REALLY looking forward to what she will do next. It's worth my wait.

Bob Zeidler