Peter Dawson: Classic Dawson

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
The Classically-trained Australian baritone with superb diction, who took England by storm between the Wars singing the quintessential songs of the Empire and the British Isles. On this carefully re-mastered collection, 23 tracks (over 72 minutes) all his light favourites are with a good sample of his popular classical work, in thoes cases with Sargeant, Barbirolli etc.

Peter Dawson: Classic Dawson, Music, Various

Deep River
Average customer rating:

Oil and Water...

a little too wobbly for me

A replacement for Robert Shaw

The Best Recording by One of our Finest Choral Ensembles

Wonderful Ensemble

Deep River
Adam Reinwald , Alan Dunbar , Kelvin Chan , Timothy Takach , Harry T. (Henry) Burleigh , William Levi Dawson , Jester Hairston , John W. II Work , Albert Jordan , Brad Erbes , Brian Arreola , Michael Hanawalt , Peter Zvanovec , and Cantus Male Ensemble
Manufacturer: Cantus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Let Your Voice Be Heard

...Against the Dying of the Light

The Spirituals Of William L. Dawson (#2159)

Comfort & Joy: Volume Two

Comfort and Joy: Volume One

ASIN: B0000V8G1O
Release Date: 2003-10-01

Tracks:

Ezekiel Saw the Wheel: Harry T. Burleigh
Heaven, Heaven: Harry T. Burleigh
Poor Man Lazrus: Jester Hairston
King Jesus Is A-Listening: William Dawson
In His Care-O: William Dawson
This Ol' Hammer: John W. Work III
Great God A'mighty: Jester Hairston
Were You There?: Harry T. Burleigh
There is a Balm in Gilead: William Dawson
Deep River: Harry T. Burleigh
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot: William Dawson
My Lord, What a Morning: Harry T. Burleigh
Steal Away: William Dawson
Soon ah-Will Be Done: William Dawson
Ain't a That Good News: William Dawson
Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit: William Dawson
In That Great Getting' Up Morning: Jester Hairston

Album Description

Cantus proudly announces the release of "Deep River," a treasury of African-American Spirituals. The Spiritual represents the musical melting pot of America like no other type of song by at once revealing its African roots while reflecting the American experience with music that speaks of both hardship and hope. The album features some of the most beloved American folk songs such as "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel", "Were You There", "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and "Soon-ah Will Be Done." "Deep River" also delves into the roots of American roots music by exclusively featuring music by the preeminent first and second generation African-American composers - Harry T. Burleigh, William Dawson, John W. Work and Jester Hairston - in both well known and long forgotten arrangements of these immortal songs. Recorded by Stereophile Magazine editor John Atkinson in 24 bit sound, "Deep River" is a treat for the ears and a balm for the soul.

Customer Reviews:

Oil and Water..........2005-10-05

Don't Get me wrong... Cantus is one of the finest male chamber choirs around right now. They do marvelous work and cover a wide variety. Unfortunately, spirituals are not exactly Cantus's strongest suit. The biggest hindrance to this recording is that Cantus does not effectively capture the "spirit" of a spiritual. The music almost sounds funny because the spirituals are sung with very traditional, very trained classical voices. I love hearing people sing who were trained very meticulously to sing well, but I don't want to hear someone sing "Ezekiel Saw de Wheel" like Pavoratti. It sounds really funny and doen't capture the character of the music.
Another issue that I have with this recording (and most of Cantus's other recordings at that) is that it was recorded so softly. I don't like to have to feel like I am cranking my speakers to hear the music effectively. Being an active listener, I like to listen to music loud just because I can hear more layers when its loud. The low recording volume on the CD really hinders the active listening experience, leaving the CD to lend itself to the purpose of background music and passive listening.
Also, the first 5 arrangements on the disc are fairly bland. They are lack variety and musicality. Only until "Great God Almighty" comes around does the listener truly become exposed to really good choral writing. Other standing out arrangements are "Where You There?" which is absolutely moving, "There Is A Balm In Gilead" which is very well written, "Deep River" which is so tranquil and relaxing, and "Soon Ah Will Be Done" and "In His Care-O" are great bouncy arrangements.
Essentially, Cantus and Spirituals are just oil and water: they don't mix so well. Aside from a hand full of bland arrangements and a very low mixing job the CD only has one real hindrance of a problem: Cantus doesn't make the distinction between Spirituals and Brahms.

a little too wobbly for me.......2005-03-03

I am familiar with this group and their origins with the world famous St. Olaf Choir of Northfield, MN. While the singers are obviously talented, I felt like I was listening to 11 "solo" singers, rather than a tight ensemble. Way too much individual vibrato even considering the free-flowing genre of the music. I don't want them to be as "tight" as San Francisco's "Chanticleer", but holy smoke, there has got to be something in the middle. Maybe an association with Dale Warland would help, because they obviously have great potential.

A replacement for Robert Shaw.......2004-12-03

Many years ago I had a vinyl record by the Robert Shaw Chorale the title of which was "Deep River." I've been waiting for it to be reissued on cd and have purchased many recordings of negro spirituals on cd hoping to find one where the performance could be compared favorably with the Robert Shaw recording. All of the tries were busts until I found this one. Wow!!! This is a super recoridng of those spirituals. The only thing it lacks is the female voices but thi group of males needs to make no apologies. I love this cd.

The Best Recording by One of our Finest Choral Ensembles.......2004-10-24

"Take this Hammer,' "Steal Away," and "My Lord What a Morning" are just three of the acappella treasures recorded in a warm, natural accoustic by these nine superb singers from Minnesota. The arrangements they've chosen are as complex and moving as their source lyrics and melodies, and the the 24-bit recording by John Atkinson is as good as you get.

It's not easy to make spirituals sound fresh, dynamic and viscerally affecting. But that's exactly what Cantus has done. This is choral singing of the highest order recorded by a master of recorded sound.

I do hope Cantus continues to record on this or another independent label. A big music conglomerate would just glitz it up.

These young men have accomplished so many splendid things on their own over the past nine years, and this release is their best by far.

Wonderful Ensemble.......2004-04-15

I bought "let Your Voice Be Heard" some time ago and really loved the interpretations, the virtuosity of the singing and the clarity of the recording. I'm a Stereophile subscriber and read the articles by Atkinson regarding the recording sessions - they take great care to do a good job and it shows.

This CD is compelling, if you like choral music you will love this disc. Listen to it a few times and you will go away singing.

There are a couple of spirituals on this disc that are also on "Let your voice..." but in different arrangements.

Peter Dawson: Classic Dawson
Average customer rating:
Peter Dawson: Classic Dawson

Manufacturer: Regis Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000AL9DV
Release Date: 2003-07-09

Album Description

The Classically-trained Australian baritone with superb diction, who took England by storm between the Wars singing the quintessential songs of the Empire and the British Isles. On this carefully re-mastered collection, 23 tracks (over 72 minutes) all his light favourites are with a good sample of his popular classical work, in thoes cases with Sargeant, Barbirolli etc.

Average customer rating:

Dawson: Classic Dawson
Peter Dawson
Manufacturer: Regis Records/Premiere
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00005V43F
Release Date: 2007-05-29

Music Review:

Music Review

Zanelli: Complete Baritone Recordings

Rhythms of the Heart

Your Desire Is My Business

Yoga with Shira: A Gentle Yoga Session

Yume [Import]

Wolf Songs for Lambs

Your Love Means Everything [Extra tracks] [Import]

Vesselina Kasarova - Schubert, Brahms, Schumann Lieder

World Galaxy [Import]

Voz del Sentimiento

Un Golpe No Mas

Voices of Living Stereo, Vol. 2: Songs

Stone Hits: The Very Best of Angie Stone