George ATKIN
and William
MOORE Holy Manna [2:15]
Benjamin BEDDOME
and E.J. KING
Abbeville [2:27]
Stith MEAD
and James CHRISTOPHER
Wondrous Love [2:35]
W.W. WALFORD
and William
Batchelder BRADBURY –Sweet
Hour of Prayer [3:13]
John NEWTON
and R.F.M.
MANN Jewett [3:11]
Isaac WATTS
and Freeman
LEWIS, arr. Jacqueline
HORNER Dunlap’s Creek
[2:16]
John NEWTON,
Benjamin SHAW
and Charles
H. SPILMAN New Britain
[3:05]
John LELAND
and B.F. WHITE
The Morning Trumpet [3:22]
Isaac WATTS
and Freeman
LEWIS Resignation [3:10]
Isaac WATTS
and Timothy
SWAN Poland [2:54]
BEVER,
arr. John M.
DYE Wayfaring Stranger
[2:47]
S. Fillmore
BENNETT and Joseph
P. WEBSTER, arr. Johanna
Maria ROSE Sweet By and
By [2:51]
Isaac WATTS
and J.P. STORM
Blooming Vale [2:35]
Isaac WATTS
and Ananias
DAVISSON Idumea [3:36]
Samuel STENNETT
and William
WALKER Sweet Prospect
[3:03]
Robert LOWRY
Shall We Gather at the River [4:52]
Isaac WATTS
and Justin
MORGAN Amanda [2:17]
F.R. WARREN
and William
WALKER, arr. Marsha
GENENSKY and Johanna
Maria ROSE
Invitation [2:32]
John BLAIN,
arr. William
WALKER Parting Hand
[2:56]
Jefferson HASKELL
and William
Batchelder BRADBURY Angel
Band [3:09]
After seventeen years
of exploring the early musical traditions
of Europe, Anonymous 4 decided to look
at the folk tradition of their home
country, exploring the traditional Anglo-American
religious music. On their most recent
release, American Angels, they
drew upon the songbooks of eighteenth
century New England and nineteenth century
Southern shape-note hymnals selecting
much of the best and most-beloved traditional
music America has to offer. Indeed,
many of the arrangements selected come
from books that have been in continuous
use for nearly the entire life of the
country. The result is quite simply
a work of breathtaking beauty.
As Anonymous 4 is approaching
the end of their active performing life,
with the 2003-2004 season signaling
the planned end of this noted group,
it does seem fitting that they would
delve into their native land’s music
for the final planned release. The music
comprises generally 4-part vocal arrangements
with the quaint feel of traditional
folk music. This is exactly as it should
be. Anonymous 4 has always been at its
best when exploring the music of a bygone
era without enhancement, selecting the
true gems and enlightening the audience
with their rediscovered treasures.
Much of this music
was recently reintroduced into the secular
consciousness through the movie "O
Brother, Where Art Thou?", and
the arrangements here are very similar
to the material The Stanley Brothers
and the group consisting of Emmylou
Harris, Allison Krauss, and Gillian
Welch performed. Anonymous 4 does them
one better here however as they seek
aim to provide more than the rural music
in its original form. They seek to present
the music in its fully mature form,
lending their pristine, angelic voices
to the arrangements designed to bring
the singers and listeners closer to
God.
When music is put through
the crucible of generations of listeners,
the chaff is soon thrown out, and this
time-tested music truly represents the
cream of Anglo-American folk literature.
Paired with the cream of choral recording
groups, it is no wonder that this album
is as marvelous as it is. When Anonymous
4 does these songs, one can imagine
the choirs of cherubim and seraphim
stopping to listen; indeed one wonders
if the angels might be taking notes
on how to improve their own performances
for the Almighty.
It is truly a sad thing
to note the passing of Anonymous 4;
they will be missed. However, this album
does a superb job of saying farewell,
as well as completing a chapter in their
lives. One hopes that there will be
a reunion for this group of women in
the future, and that this is not truly
the end. However, if it is, their legacy
of returning the musical legacy back
to the modern listener is done great
tribute with this album. This must be
considered an essential recording from
Anonymous 4, and is simply one of the
albums which anyone who loves vocal
music should own.
Patrick Gary
Anonymous 4