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Seven years of filmic devotion by directors Matt and Erica Hinton poured into
Awake My Soul, a thorough examination of the history of Sacred Harp singing. Sacred harp singing, based on four notes, or "shape-notes" sung in different octaves and a cappella rounds to form otherworldly harmonies, has survived since early Colonists rebelled against a musical dearth caused by Puritanism by inventing this lovely congregational singing style. Delving into hymns from "The Sacred Harp," a 160-year old hymnal still presently used,
Awake My Soul shows choirs at Shoal Creek Church in Georgia and Henegar Union Convention in Alabama, among others, singing Christian songs that sound as if they were written in the Renaissance. In addition, narration by Jim Lauderdale edited into archival footage and interview snippets with approximately twenty living singers and music teachers navigates the historical, social, and religious terrain of this American tradition that was rediscovered in the 1920s and again during the 1960s folk revival, by Alan Lomax and singer Hugh McGraw. Certain characters, like Raymond Hamrick, a watchmaker from Macon, Georgia who has been singing and songwriting for over fifty years, remind one of how crucial storytelling is to rural Southern culture, where sacred harp singing currently thrives.
Awake My Soul is careful to point out that this music has been preserved in small communities rather than in academic settings. To underscore the cultural power each individual has to foster artistic creation, regardless of age, class, race, or other social limitation, is to shed true light on what Sacred Harp singing is all about.--
Trinie Dalton
Product Description
As seen on Public Television nationwide. 'Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp' is the first feature documentary about Sacred Harp singing, a haunting form of a cappella, shape note hymn singing with deep roots in the American south. Shape note singing has survived over 200 years tucked away from notice in the rural deep south, where in old country churches, singers break open 'The Sacred Harp', a 160 year old shape note hymnal which has preserved these fiercely beautiful songs which are some of the oldest in America. The film offers a glimpse into the lives of this 'Lost Tonal Tribe' whose history is a story of both rebellion and tradition. The filmmakers, Matt and Erica Hinton spent 7 years documenting this yet largely unknown art form. Narrated by country singer Jim Lauderdale. This Special Edition includes an extended version of Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp with over 20 minutes not seen on Television, as well as over 5 hours of bonus features! Including: * Awake, My Soul, a documentary introduction to the history, music and traditions associated with The Sacred Harp, a 19th shapenote hymnal which contains many of the earliest American tunes. * Deleted Scenes * Additional interview footage from the Sacred Harp singers featured in Awake, My Soul commenting on a variety of themes. * Over two hours of Sacred Harp singing (62 songs) from 1998-2006, the years that Awake My Soul was in production. * A feature-length audio commentary by featured singers Hugh McGraw, Raymond Hamrick, John Plunkett, and director, Matt Hinton. * The original 10 minute film that was the university project which led the directors, Matt & Erica Hinton, to produce Awake, My Soul . * Interviews with Narrator/ country singer Jim Lauderdale and with Executive Producers Mac Powell & Tai Anderson of the Grammy award winning band, Third Day. * Subtitles for those who haven't yet grasped the nuances of the Southern dialect of the English language. * and more...
~ Various Artists
by William Walker
~ William Billings
~ Anonymous
