American Angels: Songs of Hope, Redemption, & Glory

1	Brethren, We Have Met to
2	Abbeville (Come, Holy Spi
3	Wondrous Love ("What wond
4	Sweet Hour of Prayer
5	Jewett (Amazing grace, ho
6	Dunlap's Creek (My God, m
7	New Britain (Amazing Grac
8	The Morning Trumpet
9	My Shepherd Will Supply M
10	Poland (God of my life, l
11	Wayfaring Stranger, relig
12	Sweet by and by for choru
13	Blooming Vale (O, were I
14	Idumea I & II
15	Sweet Prospect
16	Shall We Gather at the Ri
17	Amanda ("Death like an ov
18	Hark, I Hear The Harps Et
19	Parting Friends, folk hym
20	Angel Band (My latest sun
American Angels: Songs of Hope, Redemption, & Glory
1.	Brethren, We Have Met to Worship 2:19
	Composed by William Moore
	Performed by Anonymous 4
2.	Abbeville (Come, Holy Spirit, come) 2:30
	Composed by American Traditional
	Performed by Anonymous 4
	Additional Notes: arranged by King, E.J.
3.	Wondrous Love, folk song 2:40
	Composed by Anonymous
	Performed by Anonymous 4
	Additional Notes: arranged by Christopher, James
4.	Sweet Hour of Prayer 3:17
	Composed by William B. Bradbury
	Performed by Anonymous 4
5.	Jewett (Amazing grace, how sweet the sound) 3:15
	Composed by R.F.M. Mann
	Performed by Anonymous 4
6.	Dunlap's Creek (My God, my portion and my love) 2:20
	Composed by Freeman Lewis
	Performed by Anonymous 4
	Additional Notes: arranged by Horner, Jacqueline
7.	New Britain (Amazing Grace) [The Sacred Harp] (Philadelphia) 3:09
	Composed by American Traditional
	Performed by Anonymous 4
8.	The Morning Trumpet 3:27
	Composed by Benjamin Franklin White
	Performed by Anonymous 4
9.	My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, hymn (to the tune Resignation) 3:13
	Composed by Anonymous, American
	Performed by Marsha Genensky and Johanna Rose
	Additional Notes: arranged by Rose, Johanna Maria
10.	Poland (God of my life, look gently down) 2:59
	Composed by Timothy Swan
	Performed by Anonymous 4 and Marsha Genensky
11.	Wayfaring Stranger 2:52
	Composed by American Traditional
	Performed by Anonymous 4
	Additional Notes: arranged by Dye, John M.
12.	Sweet by and by for chorus & organ 2:54
	Composed by Joseph Philbrick Webster
	Performed by Anonymous 4
	Additional Notes: arranged by Rose, Johanna Maria
13.	Blooming Vale (O, were I like a feathered dove) 2:40
	Composed by Storm
	Performed by Anonymous 4
14.	Idumea I & II 3:39
	Composed by Ananias Davisson
	Performed by Anonymous 4 and Jacqueline Horner
15.	Sweet Prospect 3:08
	Composed by William Walker
	Performed by Anonymous 4
16.	Shall we gather at the river? 4:57
	Composed by Robert Lowry
	Performed by Anonymous 4 and Jacqueline Horner
17.	Amanda ("Death like an overflowing stream") 2:22
	Composed by Justin Morgan
	Performed by Anonymous 4
18.	Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal (Invitation) 2:36
	Composed by American Traditional
	Performed by Anonymous 4
	Additional Notes: arranged by Genensky, Marsha~arranged by Rose, Johanna Maria
19.	Parting Friends (The Social Harp) 3:01
	Composed by American Traditional
	Performed by Anonymous 4
	Additional Notes: arranged by Walker, William
20.	Angel Band (My latest sun is sinking fast) 3:09
	Composed by William B. Bradbury
	Performed by Anonymous 4
	Additional Notes: arranged by Genensky, Marsha~arranged by Rose, Johanna Maria

Barnes & Noble

The members of the seraphic-voiced female vocal quartet Anonymous 4 have ventured into the depths of the Dark Ages (1000: A Mass for the End of Time) and visited with modern mystics (Darkness into Light), but this may be their most unexpected and rewarding journey yet. Carefully researched, as are all of their recording projects, American Angels: Songs of Hope, Redemption, and Glory takes listeners to the roots of the Anglo-American tradition. Here are sacred songs from revolutionary New England, so-called "shape-note" songs from the South (named for the style of musical notation employed), and others that have become part of the rich gospel repertory. Many of these tunes will be familiar, of course; "Jewett," for example, is a version of "Amazing Grace," as is "New Britain," though the two are distinct and probably unlike any form of this familiar hymn that you've heard before. Indeed, there's a purity to all of these harmonizations that evokes visions of a primordial, virginal America. Certainly, it's difficult to imagine that any congregation ever sounded so chastely beautiful as Anonymous 4, though the women make sure to add authentic touches. Listen, for example, to their tender twang on "Resignation," or the folksy swing in the arrangement of "Sweet Prospect." "Angel Band," the final track, doesn't sound all that far removed from the earthy righteousness of the Stanley Brothers' classic rendition -- and what higher praise can one give? As with all of the ensemble's Harmonia Mundi recordings, this one is beautifully recorded and packaged, with texts and extensive notes on the songs and their origins. Scholarship has rarely sounded so sweet. Andrew Farach-Colton

Billboard

A stunning gift of old-time Americana.