Customer Reviews

Stephen Foster Song Book

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

 

 

I do not have a cd in my collection that I enjoy more than the Robert Shaw Chorale "Stephen Foster Songbook". If you grew up loving Stephen Foster songs, you will not find a finer collection! I would rate it 10 stars if that were available.

This is one of the best recordings of historic American music that I have heard, along with Joel Cohen's "Liberty Tree." The arrangements and interpretations of the songs are very beautiful. Some of the banjos are cheesy, but it is much much better than every other Foster recordings that I have heard. If you are in the mood to hear great music of Antebellum America, than I highly recommend this CD to you. You won't regret it!

I own this CD and am especially fond of it for the solos by Thomas Pyle and Clayton Krehbiel, particularly the latter's singing of "I Want to Die Easy." All other soloists and choristers are equally superb, but those two gentlemen, sadly since deceased, were personal acquaintances and musical influences. If you don't have a taste for great choral arrangements, then pass, but you'll be missing out on something special. Enjoy it, you who adore the finest.

I'm inclined to agree with Kenneth Gray that this is not a good treatment of these songs. It sounds like a movie rendering of the songs on the plantation. That said, I need to listen more. Several people with knowledge that exceeds mine make specific references to good musical features, such as the trombone riff in Camptown Races and the Krehbiel singing of "I Want to Die Easy." I noticed the latter myself. Foster is worth having more than one treatment. Also, this is very calming. I would swear it made my dachshund relax and go into a blisfful slumber. I had a sense it was bringing up race memories of her ancestors in the nineteenth century, here in her America.

Oh, puleeze, this is the sappiest rendition of these gorgeous songs ever recorded, right up there with sing-a-long with Mitch Miller.

I always hate when songs that are meant to be sung intimately as solos or duets are done by 7,000 harmonized voices.

I recommend this recording only to be listened to in a nice comfortable elevator

I saw a program on OPB about him so I got this. But, I didn't like it and don't listen to it. It is now under my bed collecting dust.

This CD Kicks ...! BR>The trombone riff in "Camptown Races" is incredible. The screaming axe in "Oh! Susanna" is mind-blowing. The fantastic jamming on this CD reminds me of HMTT. This CD is one monster hit after another. "Steal Away To Jesus", is a real kicker, although not quite as good as "Will You F'n Give Me Jesus".......

Just sit back, pop a cold one, maybe a whiskey shooter , pop this
baby on the victrolla and enjoy.......

Here's to ya Hawks...........