Track Listing

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
21. Mother's Warning
22. Solemn Bell
23. Mother's Cup of Tribulation
24. Sad Days
25. Encouragement
26. Verdant Valley
27. In Yonder Valley
28. Solemn Song
29. Turn to the Right
30. O Will You Sing Another Song
31. Spiritual Sailor
32. Mother Has Conme
33. Holy Mother's Protecting Chain
34. Simple Gifts

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78367 in Music
• Released on: 1995-09-05
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

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

True to the Spirit of Shaker Vitality
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.

A gentle introduction to Shaker music
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.

Powerful and Simple Gifts by a cappella chorus
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.