Track Listing

1. Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
2. Credidi
3. Versa Est In Luctum
4. Jefferson - Chanticleer
5. David's Lamentation
6. Soar Away
7. Whispers
8. Voices Of Autumn
9. The Un-Covered Wagon
10. Fuggi, Fuggi, Dolor
11. Labbra Vermigile E Belle
12. Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
13. Camptown Races
14. Love Walked In
15. Willow Weep For Me
16. Calling My Children Home
17. Wayfarin' Stranger
18. I'm A Pilgrim

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29818 in Music
• Released on: 2002-11-12
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
This is Chanticleer's 25th recording and also marks its 25th anniversary season. The title refers to the group's wide-ranging repertoire; this disc includes Mexican baroque, traditional American songs in various styles and music commissioned by Chanticleer itself. A program that tries to please everybody is bound to disappoint somebody; however, no one could be disappointed by the singing. The sound of these 12 unaccompanied male voices has an unearthly, celestial beauty and purity; their blend is perfect. Though the singers rarely use vibrato, their intonation is impeccable both together and in solos. Their expressive range and stylistic versatility are incredible: they can project tenderness, pleading, and bitter protest and are equally at home in plainchant, Latin hymns, blues, spirituals, shouts and crooning. Among the highlights are the three opening hymns, settings of two poems of Torquato Tasso by William Hawley, commissioned by Chanticleer, which combine 16th- and 20th-century styles, and the two final folksongs, the last with a stride-style piano accompaniment, making a rousing, exuberant ending. The booklet, in three languages, is well laid-out and informative. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews

Fabulous, but...
I have every one of Chanticleer's recordings and agree that the ensemble produces some of the finest vocal recordings and performances in the world. I'm a huge fan. Huge. I love both old standards and new choral compositions, from monophony to atonality. So why was I less than overwhelmed by this CD?

One of the things I noticed about this recording is that the characteristic blend of voices seems off. This isn't due to any particular error in performance or engineering, but perhaps just due to the voicing of the arrangements. The resulting prominence of the sopranos is a little jarring, even though I'm always impressed by a good countertenor. Maybe it's me, but this disc just seems to be somewhat of a departure from the seamless and shimmery quality Chanticleer is known for, such as in Magnificat and Colors of Love.

Also, the southern accent produced in certain selections borders on parody. Even folks in the Appalachian hills where I grew up would have noticed. If they had backed off just a hair, they would have gotten it right on the money.

Okay so this isn't my favorite recording. I think one 4-star disc out of a sea of 5-star productions is a pretty good record. I remain a huge fan.

amazing!
...It is just jaw-dropping amazing what these guys can do with their voices, from the pure, crystalline tones of Mexican Baroque to Appalachian shape-note singing to Native American chant. What's really amazing is that these guys sound this good or better in concert! Was particularly excited that they finally recorded "Voices of Autumn" by Jackson Hill, which I first heard at one of their concerts 2 years ago. Other highlights are "Soar Away," "Willow Weep for Me" and "Calling My Children Home," but every track on this album is stellar.

Absolutely wonderful!!
This album shows Chanticleer's great talent and it displays they're wonderful voices. I've seen them perform pieces from this album and they do it with such passion. It's wonderful. If you don't get this or any of their albums you truly are missing out!!