Music and Samples

This CD, Come Down Angels And Trouble The Water, is my sixth CD for the Albany Records label. On October 7, 2007, the Negro Spiritual was designated a National Treasure by The United States Senate and Congress. This CD features 19 newly arranged spirituals, and was recorded to honor the Negro Spiritual as a National Treasure.

As a way of honoring the Negro Spiritual I have chosen Negro Spirituals that have been arranged by American Composers since 1950. While some of them were born before this time, the music of Uzee Brown, Jr, Charles Lloyd, Jr, Evelyn Curenton and Moses Hogan was largely written after this time period.

The liner notes are my thoughts and perception of what the Negro Spiritual is. The cover of the CD is a photo which I took during my first visit to The Elmina Castle, one of the slave castles in Ghana, West Africa.

The Tracks

1. Come Down Angels and Trouble the Water mp3 mp3
2. Is There Anybody Here That Loves My Jesus mp3 mp3
3. Good News mp3 mp3
4. Here’s One mp3 mp3
5. Lil’ David mp3 mp3
6. Give Me Jesus mp3 mp3
7. They Crucified My Lord mp3 mp3
8. You May Bury Me In De East mp3 mp3
9. Po’ Moaner mp3 mp3
10. I Got a Home In-a Dat Rock mp3 mp3
11. Go On Brother mp3 mp3
12. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child mp3 mp3
13. Oh, Graveyard mp3 mp3
14. Ev’ry Time I Feel De Spirit mp3 mp3
15. Deep River mp3 mp3
16. Death Is Gwinter To Lay His Cold Icy Hands On Me mp3 mp3
17. Don’t Touch-a My Garment mp3 mp3
18. Sinner Please Don’t Let This Harvest Pass mp3 mp3
19. Trampin’ mp3 mp3

In his second CD recording, bass-baritone Oral Moses offers art songs and spiritual arrangements by African-American composers and arrangers whose work spans the 20th century and spills over into the 21st century. Mr. Moses, a South Carolina native, began his singing career as a member of the United States Seventh Army Soldiers Chorus in Heidelberg, Germany and a member of the famed Fisk Jubilee Singers while attending Fisk University following his military career. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies he was awarded a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship which provided him the opportunity to return to Europe for further study in vocal performance and opera. Upon his return to the United States, he attended the University of Michigan where he earned a Masters of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree in vocal performance and opera. He is the co-author of Feel the Spirit: Studies in 19th Century Afro-American Music. He is currently Professor of Voice and Music Literature at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia.

The Tracks

1. Go Down Moses mp3 mp3
2. There Are Angels Hoverin’ Round mp3 mp3
3. Oh Mary What You Gonna Call Your Pretty Little Baby mp3 mp3
4. Jean mp3 mp3
5. He Met Her In The Meadow mp3 mp3
6. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child mp3 mp3
7. I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired mp3 mp3
8. Zion Hallelujah mp3 mp3
9. Witness mp3 mp3
10. Swing dat Hammer mp3 mp3
11. Songs of Separation - No. 1 Idolatry mp3 mp3
12. Songs of Separation - No. 2 Poeme mp3 mp3
13. Songs of Separation - No. 3 Parted mp3 mp3
14. Songs of Separation - No. 4 If You Should Go mp3 mp3
15. Songs of Separation - No. 5 A Black Pierrot mp3 mp3
16. He’s Got The Whole World In His Hand mp3 mp3
17. Water Boy mp3 mp3
18. Borderline - No. 1 Borderline mp3 mp3
19. Borderline - No. 2 Night mp3 mp3
20. Borderline - No. 3 Dustbowl mp3 mp3
21. Borderline - No. 4 Burden mp3 mp3
22. Borderline - No. 5 One mp3 mp3
23. Borderline - No. 6 Beale Street mp3 mp3
24. Borderline - No. 7 Gifts mp3 mp3
25. Borderline - No. 8 Circles mp3 mp3
26. Borderline - No. 9 Graveyard mp3 mp3
27. Borderline - No. 10 Convent mp3 mp3
28. Borderline - No. 11 Poppy Flower mp3 mp3
29. Borderline - No. 12 Gypsy Melodies mp3 mp3
30. Borderline - No. 13 Montmartre mp3 mp3
31. Borderline - No. 14 Fragments mp3 mp3
32. Borderline - No. 15 Desert mp3 mp3
33. Borderline - No. 16 The End mp3 mp3
34. It’s Me O Lord mp3 mp3
35. This Little Light of Mine mp3 mp3
36. Amen mp3 mp3

This is a wonderful and varied collection of work songs, spirituals and art songs. I get a lump in my throat every time I listen to Moses’ rendition of “There Are Angels Hoverin’ Round” by Uzee Brown, Jr. —AfroAmericanHeritage (Wisconsin)

The Tracks

1. Deep River mp3 mp3
2. Lovely Dark and Lonely One mp3 mp3
3. Dry Bones mp3 mp3
4. Wade In De Water mp3 mp3
5. Ethiopia Saluting the Colors, for Voice & Piano mp3 mp3
6. Dove and The Lily mp3 mp3
7. Exile mp3 mp3
8. Stan’ Still, Jordan mp3 mp3
9. Little Mother of Mine mp3 mp3
10. Don’t You Weep When I’m Gone mp3 mp3
11. The Spring, My Dear, Is No Longer Spring mp3 mp3
12. Oh! Rock Me, Julie mp3 mp3
13. Soldier, The mp3 mp3
14. Mammy’s li’l baby mp3 mp3
15. Hear De Lambs A-Cryin’ mp3 mp3
16. The Trees Have Grown So mp3 mp3
17. Thy Heart mp3 mp3
18. Hard Trials mp3 mp3
19. Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel? mp3 mp3

For their 13th album and in their 25th year together, post-punk, art-rock pioneers Birdsongs of the Mesozoic do a 180 degree musical swerve and link up with bass-baritone vocalist Oral Moses, one of the preeminent African-American performers of traditional spirituals. The band demolish all preconceptions about themselves by presenting a program of heavily rearranged, well known African-American spirituals and 19th century art songs. The blend of Birdsongs’ cutting-edge instrumentation with the strength and majesty of Moses’ voice creates a very unorthodox yet deeply moving sound, which The Noise called, “Totally sublime and deeply moving.” This collaboration represents a new experiment from all parties - something of a meeting at the crossroads between two creative parties passing in very different directions. Together they bring these centuries-old songs kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

The Tracks

1. I’m A Rollin’ mp3 mp3
2. Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray mp3 mp3
3. A Little More Faith In Jesus mp3 mp3
4. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child mp3 mp3
5. Joshua Fit The Battle of Jericho mp3 mp3
6. Swing Low Sweet Chariot mp3 mp3
7. Listen To The Angels Shoutin’ mp3 mp3
8. Wayfaring Stranger mp3 mp3
9. Great Day mp3 mp3
10. Nobody Knows The Trouble I See mp3 mp3
11. Oh Freedom mp3 mp3
12. Amen mp3 mp3

One of the most exciting experiments that have been made this year in the world of avant-garde, is the new disc Birdsongs Of The Mesozoic, in collaboration with the American baritone singer, Oral Moses.—Rockaxis - Spain

Moses’ vocal ability is affecting, to say the least; he can sound both terrifyingly powerful and vulnerable, yearning and exposed. The strongest tracks are undoubtedly “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” and “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” both somewhat minimalist in instrumentation when compared to the rest of the album. On the former, Moses’ drawn out lamentations are poignantly accompanied by Ken Field's haunting flute.—Exclaim! Canada’s Music Authority

As one of the largest bodies of American folk music, the Negro Spiritual “sprang” into existence and became a strong symbol of hope, resilience and resistance. It became one of major tools through which Africans made their voices heard throughout 400 years (1619–2019) of struggle.

This CD is a compilation of many of these Spirituals and still remain a stronghold even in today’s world where in many instances it seems as if time has stood still and the need for these precious gems — words of wisdom of our Ancestors — still toll the bells of freedom.

The Tracks

1. Ain’t Got Time To Die
2. There Are Angels Hoverin’ Round
3. Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?
4. Is There Anybody Here That Loves My Jesus
5. Go On Brother
6. Deep River
7. Witness
8. This Little Light of Mine
9. Gonna Shout All Over God’s Heaven
10. Death Is Gwinter To Lay His Cold Icy Hands On Me
11. Lit’l Boy
12. Come Down Angels and Trouble the Water
13. I’ve Been In De Storm So Long
14. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning!
15. Here’s One
16. Go Down Moses
17. Good News
18. I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired
19. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
20. Ev’ry Time I Feel De Spirit

No matter how spirituals are phrased, they communicate essentially the faith expressions of an oppressed people. —Dr. Melva Wilson Costen

This recording is, in many respects, a unique and creatively conceived kaleidoscope of American culture presented through the expressions and influences of African Americans. Moses and Floyd offer exceptionally convincing interpretations of each song, with clear understanding of the nature and unique message contained in each. The diverse genres, art songs by African American composers and artful settings of spirituals, also include works written by other Americans who use idiomatically African American musical resources, and whose creative energies have been powerfully influenced by African American folk life. This is a delightful tapestry of works that comprise a cross section of musical personalities and compelling lyrical content.

The Tracks

1. Walk Together Chidren mp3 mp3
2. Let Us Break Bread Together mp3 mp3
3. Gonna Shout All Over God’s Heaven mp3 mp3
4. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning! mp3 mp3
5. Amazing Grace mp3 mp3
6. Ballad of the Black Mother mp3 mp3
7. Lit’l Bo mp3 mp3
8. Did You Hear When Jesus Rose mp3 mp3
9. Zion’s Walls mp3 mp3
10. Come Sunday mp3 mp3
11. Dancing In the Sun (Weedun) mp3 mp3
12. The Negro Speaks of Rivers mp3 mp3
13. No Mo’ Auction Block mp3 mp3
14. I’ve Been In De Storm So Long mp3 mp3
15. Ol’ Man River (from Show Boat) mp3 mp3
16. Song to the Dark Virgin (Hughes) mp3 mp3
17. I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ (from Porgy and Bess) mp3 mp3
18. Oh, Glory! mp3 mp3
19. Ain’t Got Time To Die mp3 mp3
20. This River (Jahannes) mp3 mp3

This disc is recommended above all to teachers seeking to introduce the spirituals to students, for they ought to respond to Moses’ direct, heartfelt readings. But anyone interested in the intersection of the concert-music and African-American traditions should give this a listen. —James Manheim, All Music Guide

An A capella CD of Nineteen Negro Spirituals by bass-baritone, Oral Moss celebrates the history and strong music tradition of Old Zion Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia. This 135-year-old Zion Baptist Church which was built by enslaved African Americans in 1868 will become a museum to house its history and other African American churches in Georgia. In an attempt to recapture the true musical sense under which these spirituals “sprang” into existence all nineteen spirituals were recorded in Old Zion Baptist without any instrumental accompaniment. Oral Moses, bass-baritone and Professor of music at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA.

The Tracks

1. Nobody Knows De Trouble I See mp3 mp3
2. A Little More Faith In Jesus mp3 mp3
3. And He Never Said A Mumberlin’ Word mp3 mp3
4. Tryin’ To Get Ready mp3 mp3
5. Po’ Pilgrim of Sorrow mp3 mp3
6. I’m A Rollin’ mp3 mp3
7. Listen To The Angels Shouting mp3 mp3
8. Ev’ry Time I Feel The Spirit mp3 mp3
9. Go Down Moses mp3 mp3
10. I Want To Be Ready mp3 mp3
11. Oh Freedom mp3 mp3
12. Deep River mp3 mp3
13. Joshua Fit De Battle Ob Jericho mp3 mp3
14. ’Tis The Old Ship of Zion mp3 mp3
15. Steal Away mp3 mp3
16. Great Day! mp3 mp3
17. My Lord, What A Mourning mp3 mp3
18. Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen mp3 mp3
19. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot mp3 mp3