Simple Gifts: Shaker Chants and Spirituals

Issachar Bates (Performer), James Whittaker (Artist), Anonymous (Artist), Richard McNemar (Artist), Clarissa Jacobs (Artist), Ann Lee (Artist), Shaker Traditional (Artist), Jane Sutton (Artist), Paulina Springer (Artist), Joseph Brackett (Artist), Robert Dobson (Artist), Arthur Rawding (Artist), Mary Ann Valaitis (Artist), Joel Cohen and the Boston Camerata (Artist), Schola Cantorum (Artist), Shakers of Sabbathday Lake (Artist)

Product Details

• Performer: Issachar Bates
• Audio CD (September 5, 1995)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Erato
• ASIN: B000005EDQ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,112 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Come Life Shaker Life

2. In Yonder Valley

3. Virgins Clothed in a Clean White Garment

4. Mother

5. Father James' Song

6. Followers of the Lamb

7. Mother Ann's Song

8. I Have a Soul to Be Saved or Lost

9. Heavenly Comfort

10. Companion to Stiff

11. Pinch'd Up Nip'd Up

12. I Will Fight and Never Slack

13. Celestial Choir

14. Holy Angel

15. Lark

16. Nightingale'ssopng

17. Holy Order Song

18. Learned of Angel

19. Laughing John's Intterogatory

20. I'll Beat My Drum as I March Along

See all 34 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Joel Cohen spent countless days in the library at the Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, transcribing dozens of tunes from among thousands of archived chants and spirituals. Many more of these wonderful tunes were recalled from memory by the community's few resident Shakers--and Cohen and his ensemble, joined by several Shaker singers, made this recording, which deserves to be heard by everyone who loves songs and singing. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True to the Spirit of Shaker Vitality, January 19, 2000

By	"rrr338" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

It's funny how we often draw the wrong conclusions about people of the past, by looking at evidence of their physical lives. Shaker furniture and room design often convey ascetic austerity, and repressed emotions. And then... there is the music! Here one realizes that Shakers were deeply spiritual people and found great joy in their music and dance. The Boston Camerata really succeeds in recreating the atmosphere of a Shaker meeting hall, with music that captures the power of communal gatherings. There are reflective melodies here, but also energetic "hand-clapping, foot stomping" chants. The result is that, in listening to this CD, you are likely to "see" the Shakers in a new light. If you like early American historical music, or just appreciate the power of shared hymns, you will truly appreciate this wonderful performance.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle introduction to Shaker music, July 6, 2000

By	M. J. Smith (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This album is sung by professional singers with some Shaker community participation. This contrasts with the folk recordings of Shakers alone - or of music groups retaining the Shaker tradition. Just as the Boston Camarata recordings of Billings, Dear etc. helped revive an interest in early American music of what became the shaped note tradition, so this album should revive interest in the American Shaker tradition.

The music is folksy - simple and direct - and by its style directly reflects the Shaker philosophy of life. The pieces are short - a disadvantage for those tunes you love. Simple Gifts is the best known work - but you are apt to find other pieces you like as much. Come Life, Shaker Life is one of my favorites.

This album is a must for anyone interested in Shakers, early American music, or American folk music. It will whet your appetite for the albums put out by Shaker musuems - but the professional performance is a better starting point for most people.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and Simple Gifts by a cappella chorus, January 11, 2000

By	Mire Uno (Miyazaki, Miyazaki Japan) - See all my reviews

Simple Gifts from Copland's Appalachian Spring is my favorites. I bought this CD since I wanted to listen to the original Simple Gifts, Shaker Hymn. Wow, I love this Simple Gifts, too! Powerful and simple a cappella chorus. I never thought original has lyrics. I love the lyrics. Other songs are also beautiful.

The CD comes with thick program notes of 63 pages, which outlined short history of the Shakers and lyrics of whole 34 songs in English, French and German.