Three different overlapping vocal ensembles from the Georgia Sea Islands are featured on this album, one of the many feathers in the headdress of ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax. The collection is the result of two different recording trips to the Georgia Sea Islands during the '50s and '60s, and is one of the essential documents of American folk music. As such, it has seen several different releases in album and compact disc. The music never loses an iota of power, but some of the packaging decisions don't deserve to be ...
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Three different overlapping vocal ensembles from the Georgia Sea Islands are featured on this album, one of the many feathers in the headdress of ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax. The collection is the result of two different recording trips to the Georgia Sea Islands during the '50s and '60s, and is one of the essential documents of American folk music. As such, it has seen several different releases in album and compact disc. The music never loses an iota of power, but some of the packaging decisions don't deserve to be associated with such grandiose music. The New World cover from the late '70s comes from a nice woodcut, but a later cover combines a stock coastal shot and generic lettering, winding up looking like a cheap t-shirt someone might buy at the beach. The contents of the original Lomax presentation included a superb essay, complete lyrics, and a recording so astonishingly live one will be wondering what to serve the singers for dinner. It adds up to a fantastic slice of Americana. The album is worth owning for the handclapping alone; there are rhythms here that funk bandmembers would gladly trade their gold chains for. And of course this handclapping is just a minor detail. The vocals are the major factor, with the lyrics dealing with a range of both secular and religious concerns. Listeners who find gospel music tiresome or overbearing should have no problems with this particular branch. The harmonies are rich enough to literally warm the soul. The lead vocals have a relaxed sense of pace, the delivery moving without superficial or obvious attempts at showmanship. The featured singers include Bessie Jones, who created several recording projects and storybooks on her own and delivers a stunning version of "O Death." John Davis has a thrilling, bluesy voice while Willie Proctor's "Daniel" charges ahead excitingly, the lead vocal determined and somewhat breathless. Many listeners will find the highlights to be the so-called "Group C," which augments singing and clapping with drums, banjo, and the marvelous fife of Ed Young. "Beulah Land" is a track done with this instrumental combination that is absolutely brilliant. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi
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