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CD and DVD Releases
The Shakers are America's oldest surviving religious communal sect.
Contrary to what some listeners might think, there are numerous recordings of Shaker music on CDs, both with Shaker singers and other musicians. There are also a few DVDs available.
The recordings listed here include those with Shakers and several were compiled from in-person interviews and are not available anywhere else . They are prime examples of an American religious folk music tradition lasting over two centuries.
These recordings are non-refundable unless defective, and if so, will be replaced at no additional charge.Some of the Shaker songs and hymns included on these CDs are available in performing editions by Roger Hall at the Shaker music series and Shaker music arrangements.
If you have questions about any of the titles, write to: Shaker Recordings
Click on these links to go to each section --
A Sampling of Shaker Music CDs
Singing by the Shakers
Blended Together: Interviews with The Shakers
Gentle Words - A Shaker Music Sampler
Let Zion Move: Music of the Shakers
Singing by other musicians
I Am Filled With Heavenly Treasures
Joy of Angels -
Shaker Spirituals for Christmas and The New Year
Love is Little -
A Sampling of Shaker Spirituals
Original Shaker Tunes
These two CD releases on Rounder Records, with 40 Shaker spirituals each, are the most extensive ones featuring the Shakers singing and speaking about their music...
Early Shaker Spirituals (Rounder)
A CD collection, originally released on LP in 1976, with 40 Shaker spirituals sung by The United Society of Shakers, Sabbathday Lake, Maine. Many of the spirituals are sung by Sister R. Mildred Barker, the foremost Shaker singer of her time. The spirituals include laboring songs, gift songs, prayer songs, a hymn and anthem and several interviews with Sister Mildred Barker. Extensive notes and texts for all the music are provided by Daniel W. Patterson.
These are a few of Shaker spirituals included on the CD set:
"The rolling deep" (Eldress Polly Lawrence)
"Come life, Shaker life" (Elder Issachar Bates)
"Down in the lowly vale" (Sister Polly Rupe)
"'Tis the gift to be simple" (Elder Joseph Brackett)
"I looked and lo a lamb" (anthem)
"With a new tongue" (Brother David A. Buckingham)
"O brighter than the morning star" (words: Ezra T. Leggett/
tune: Susanna Brady)
"O give me a little love" (Sister Sarah Fletcher)
You can order this CD directly from Amazon.com here:
Let Zion Move: Music of the Shakers (Rounder)
This 2 CD set from 1999 includes 40 Shaker spirituals sung by the Shakers from Canterbury, New Hampshire and Sabbathday Lake, Maine. It includes a history of Shaker music narrated by Sister R. Mildred Barker and Sister Lillian Phelps. There are also interviews with Sister R. Mildred Barker, Eldress Bertha Lindsay, and Sister Lillian Phelps.
The first interviews were done in 1960 by William (Bill) Randle. Later interviews were conducted in 1972 and 1980 by Roger Hall, who has edited and written the detailed notes for this unique collection.
These are a few of Shaker spirituals included on the CD set:
"Let Zion Move"
"Redeeming Love"
"Let My Name Be Recorded"
"I See The Light Before Me" (all four by Mary Ann Gillespie)
"Abiding Care" (Dorothy Durgin)
"O Tarry Not" (words: Dorothea Cochran/ music: Lillian Phelps)
"Star of Purity" (words: Susanna Brady/ music: Ezra T. Leggett)
"Lead Me On To Greater Victory" (Otis Sawyer)
"Prayer Universal" (Dorothy Durgin) -- solo by Charles Thompson
You can order this 2 CD set (single copies only)
with postage included from the
Or order from Amazon.com at this link:
Let Zion Move: Music of the Shakers
The CD set includes an attractive 72 page illustrated booklet with examples of Shaker music and the words to all 40 Shaker spirituals plus a bibliography and discography, compiled by Roger Hall. Many of the hymns are from the last printed Shaker hymnal. To read about this 1908 Shaker hymnal, go to:
Blended Together: Interviews with The Shakers
(American Music Recordings Collection No. 7)
Compiled and produced by Roger Hall, this is a valuable collection of field recordings with interviews and singing by four Shaker sisters:
Eldress Bertha Lindsay and Sister Lillian Phelps from Canterbury, New Hampshire; and Sister R. Mildred Barker and Sister Frances Carr from Sabbathday Lake, Maine.
Since many of these interviews were recorded on tape at the Shaker villages, the recorded sound is not always ideal. But these are rare examples of Shaker sisters talking about and singing their own music.
The CD title of "Blended Together" is named after a song by Elder Joseph Holden (1851-1919) from Mt. Lebanon, New York.
The late Sister R. Mildred Barker said in an interview that this was a favorite song at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community and was sung there for many years.
Track Titles:
1. Song: Blended together as one we stand -- a. Mitzie Collins & Roger Hall/
b. Sister R. Mildred Barker and Sister Frances Carr
2. Song: Mother says O rise be glad -- Eldress Bertha Lindsay, 1972
3. Interview with Eldress Bertha Lindsay at Canterbury, NH, 1972
4. Interview continued: about the reed organ
5. Interview continued: about the Shaker orchestra
6. Interview continued: about Canterbury singers
7. Interview continued: about Canterbury hymnal
8. Interview continued: about Elder Henry Blinn
9. Interview continued: about Shaker school
10. Song: I will go on my way -- Eldress Bertha Lindsay
11. Song: May I softly walk and O tarry not 'mid worldly strife
12. Sister Lillian Phelps tells about O tarry not and sings one of her songs
13. Interview with Eldress Bertha: Shaker dances and marches
14. Interview continued: about Shaker notation
15. Interview with Sister Lillian: about her musical training
16. Interview continued: about Shaker gift songs
17. Interview with Eldress Bertha: about a skipping song
18. Interview with Eldress Bertha: about Shaker dances
19. Song: In the days when I shall comfort thee
20. Song: I want to be clean and holy all over
21. Just enough cross by the way and 'Tis the gift to be simple
22. Interview with Eldress Bertha Lindsay -- Cleveland, Ohio TV, 1974
23. Song: O my sweet Shaker home
24. Song: O we're a band of sisters and happy are we
25. Song: Simple Gifts - Eldress Bertha's 90th birthday party
26. Song: Who will bow and bend like the willow - Sabbathday Lake,1974
27. Song: I must live must have my being - Sister Mildred Barker
28. Interview with Sister Mildred at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, 1980
29. Hymn: The Shakers - Sister Mildred and Sister Frances,1980
30. Song: We will all go home with you - Sabbathday Lake Shakers, 1974
"Blended Together" -- Broadside Series No. 2
To order this attractive broadside and the CD:
Blended Together - Interviews with The Shakers
go to the
Other Shaker interviews are available on the 2 CD Set:
Let Zion Move: Music of the Shakers
Gentle Words: A Shaker Music Sampler
(American Music Recordings Collection No. 16)
Words to the title song:
What the dew is to the flower,
Gentle words are to the soul,
And a blessing to the giver,
And so dear to the receiver
We should never withhold.
Gentle words, kindly spoken,
Often soothe the troubled mind,
While links of love are broken
By words that are unkind.
Then O, thou gentle spirit,
My constant Guardian be,
"Do to others," be my motto,
"As I'd have them do to me."
This CD was compiled by Roger Lee Hall and named after the title song, "Gentle Words," which he discovered in a Shaker manuscript music volume compiled by Alma McGill at North Union [now Shaker Heights] Ohio. Roger arranged the tune in 1976 and it was recorded for the first time and is included on this CD.
Also included on the CD are several different settings of the best known Shaker song, "Simple Gifts" (tracks 7 and 24).
The interviews with several Shaker singers (tracks 18-23) are field recordings made in 1957, 1974 and 1980. Though the sound quality is not up to today's standards, these are very rare recordings of the Shakers singing and speaking about their own music.
Some of the performances by non-Shaker musicians are from live concerts, including high school chorus (track 16); and a trio of soloists (tracks 26, 27, 28). Many of the performances feature the highly respected Plymouth Church Choir of Shaker Heights, Ohio, directed by John D. Herr in 1976 (tracks 2-13).This CD also includes the 1986 first performance of composer Roger Hall's "Variations on a Shaker Marching Tune," brilliantly performed by pianist David Hagan (track 17).
In addition, Roger interviews the distinguished composer, Aaron Copland, about his arrangements of "Simple Gifts" (track 25).
Track titles for the CD, Gentle Words: A Shaker Music Sampler
1. +Song: Welcome, Welcome Precious Gospel Kindred --
Rosetta Cummings, Enfield, New Hampshire, 1869
(arranged by Roger Hall)
2. Dance Song: Come Life, Shaker Life-- Issachar Bates,
New Lebanon, NY, 1835
3. Anthem: Mount Zion -- Issachar Bates, Ohio ca. 1815
4. Hymn: Rights of Conscience -- Issachar Bates, Ohio, ca. 1810
5. Hymn: Ode to Contentment -- Issachar Bates, 1833
6. Song: While We're Marching -- North Union, Ohio, 1847
7. Dance Song: Simple Gifts -- Joseph Brackett Jr., Alfred, Maine, 1848
8. Hymn: Doxology -- Oliver C. Hampton, Union Village, Ohio, 1850s
9. Song: A Dream -- Harvey L. Eades, Union Village, Ohio, 1860
10. Pacifist Hymn: A Prayer for the Captive -- Cecilia DeVere,
New Lebanon, New York, 1862
11. Anthem: Millennial Praise-- James G. Russell, Enfield, NH, 1883
12. Humility Song: Gentle Words -- Polly M. Rupe, 1867 (arr. Roger Hall)
13. Humility Song: Love is Little -- South Union, Kentucky, 1834
(arr. Roger Hall)
14. +Hymn: Celestial Praises -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1841
(arr. Roger Hall)
15. +Hymn: Celestial Choir-- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1847
(arr. Roger Hall)
16. +Song: May I Softly Walk -- Lebanon, New York, 1869
17. +Piano Variations on a Shaker Marching Tune -- composed by Roger Hall
18. Interview and Song: Living Souls, Let's Be Marching --
Brother Ricardo Belden (recorded in 1957)
19. Hymn: I Must Live Must Have My Being -- R. Mildred Barker, 1974
20. Song: O My Sweet Shaker Home -- Bertha Lindsay, 1980
21. Hymn: I Want To Be Like The Lily -- Bertha Lindsay (recorded in 1980)
22. Commentary on Shaker songs by Bertha Lindsay (recorded in 1980)
23. Skipping Song: O We're A Band of Sisters --Bertha Lindsay,
Canterbury, New Hampshire (recorded in 1980)
24. Song: Simple Gifts (arranged by Aaron Copland)
25. Interview with composer Aaron Copland in 1980
26. Song: Give Good Gifts -- The Sampler Singers, 2002
27. +Hymn: The Humble Heart -- text: Eunice Wyeth/
tune: Thomas Hammond, Harvard, Massachusetts, - Colleen Liggett and Roger Hall, 2002 (arr. Roger Hall)
28. +Song: We Will All Go Home With You -- Canterbury, NH, 1862 -
The Sampler Singers, 2002 (arr. by Roger Hall)+ = Premiere Recording
To order this CD, go to the Store
Note: This CD is also available
with the accompanying lyrics book,
Gentle Words: Shaker Music in the 20th Century on
a multimedia CD-ROM, readable on any computer.
Read more
at this link:
The music arrangements for CD tracks 1, 14, 27, 28
are included in the Music Supplement of...
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A Guide to Shaker Music (6th edition)
I Am Filled With Heavenly Treasures
(New World Records)
Featuring 39 tracks of Shaker spirituals performed by The Enfield Shaker Singers, directed by Mary Ann Haagen, who has also arranged a few tunes. It includes many spirituals recorded for the first time, such as the title song, Otis Sawyer's "The Closing Day," and David A. Buckingham's magnificent anthem, "Harmony of Angels." All the Shaker spirituals are performed in unaccompanied performances by the chorus and soloists. This CD is well worth adding to your collection.
To see track listings and order from Amazon, click this link:
I Am Filled With Heavenly Treasures
For more information about this performing ensemble, go to
Joy of Angels:
Shaker Spirituals for Christmas and The New Year
(Sampler Records Ltd.)
Note: This CD is currently SOLD OUT at the AMP Store.
But you can order the CD directly from
This CD from Sampler Records in 1995 features 38 Shaker spirituals and is the only one devoted to music for Christmas and the New Year, many of them recorded for the first time anywhere. The featured performers are: Randy Folger, Colleen Liggett, Kathy Leigh Johnson, Mitzie Collins, The Eastman Bach Children's Chorus, and The Sampler Chorus. The CD title is taken from the opening Shaker Christmas hymn: "Hail, hail the beautiful morn" by Elmina Phillips from North Union, Ohio. There is an accompanying songbook with all the music and extensive notes about the music and Shaker Christmas rituals by Roger Hall, plus a list of recordings of Aaron Copland's arrangements of "Simple Gifts."
Here is the list of titles, Shaker composers and communities:
1. Hail, hail the beautiful morn (Christmas Hymn) -- Elmina Phillips,
North Union, Ohio, 1869
2. O See The Lovely Angels -- Marcia Hastings,
Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1840
3. Mother's Golden Trumpet -- Archibald Meacham, White Water, Ohio, 1843
4. Christmas Offering/ Gladsome Sound -- Martha J. Anderson,
Mt Lebanon, New York, 1871
5. Christmas Hymn -- George R. Runyan, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky
6. Christmas Day -- Susan Bundy, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1868
7. Brethren and Sisters Let Us Sing -- Pleasant Hill, Kentucky
8. Simple Gifts -- Joseph Brackett Jr., Alfred, Maine, 1848
9. In Love and Sweet Union -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1845
10. When Christ was of a Virgin born -- Watervliet, New York, 1840
11. While once in Judah's lovely land -- John Dunlavy,
Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1815
12. Season of Devotion -- Enfield, New Hampshire, date unknown
13. Holy Praise -- Enfield, New Hampshire, December 25, 1852
14. Angel's Song -- Union Village, Ohio, date unknown
15. Christmas Eve -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1875
16. I Hear a Voice -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1860
17. Hail the Memorable Morn -- text: Richard McNemar/
tune: Issachar Bates, Ohio, 1832
18. The Prince of Peace is Come -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1830s
19. Christmas March -- Benjamin Dunlavy, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1825
20. Sweep As I Go -- Abraham Perkins, Enfield, New Hampshire, 1840
21. The Birth of Christ -- Richard McNemar, Union Village, Ohio
22. This is Jesus' Birthday -- Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1854
23. Peace and Joy -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1893
24. Star of Hope -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1875
25. To All the Good Children, A Happy New Year -- Prudence Houston,
South Union, KY, 1827
26. I Love of Play and Skip Around -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1837
27. The Birthday of Jesus -- West Union, Indiana, date unknown
28. Heavenly Music -- Nelson Phillips, North Union, Ohio, 1853
29. Hundred-Fold Blessing -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1875
30. Star of Purity -- Union Village, Ohio, 1868
31. Step Tune -- New Lebanon, New York, 1858
32. Our Saviour's Birth -- Benjamin Dunlavy, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1830
33. A New Year -- New Lebanon, New York, date unknown
34. New Year's Greeting -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1875
35. Low within the Vale -- Paulina Bryant, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1850
36. Give Good Gifts -- Mount Lebanon, New York, 1893
37. With Precious Gifts -- Enfield, Connecticut, 1839
38. Fear Not, For Behold -- Josephine E. Wilson, Canterbury, NH, 1900"The editorial essays in the printed anthology are models of their kind, providing clear and wise guidance to students and performers alike. The performances on the recording are lovingly skillful and delightfully varied and will repay repeated listenings."
-- Ralph P. Locke , Professor of Musicology, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester
"Here is a rich lode of possibilities for all kinds of singing occasions - some for congregations at Christmas, like the wonderful regional carols - and others for specific events, such as a Shaker pageant or historical program...I love the melodic ideas - this is not what you hear every day. Congratulations to all involved."
-- George Ward , recording artist and folklorist, Albany, New York.
Read the description by Sister Elmina Phillips of
Christmas Music Among the Shakers in the Olden Time
Love is Little:
A Sampling of Shaker Spirituals
(Sampler Records Ltd.)
Note: This CD is currently SOLD OUT at the AMP Store.
But you can order the CD directly from
A collection of 36 Shaker spirituals, released by Sampler Records in 1992, representing all of the 18 major Shaker communities, performed by Roger Hall, Mitzie Collins and other soloists, and The Sampler Chorus. It is titled after the popular Shaker humility song from South Union, Kentucky.
There is also an accompanying songbook compiled by Roger Hall with all the music from the CD, plus music notes, a list of titles from the Shaker Song Series, and a bibliography. Included is the earliest known Shaker song with complete words and music, "In Yonder Valley" (1787).These are the titles and Shaker communities with dates included:
1. Mother Ann's Song -- Harvard, Massachusetts, 1783
2. Father James's Song -- Harvard, Massachusetts, 1783
3. In Yonder Valley -- James Whittaker, Enfield, Connecticut, 1787
4. Square Order Shuffle -- Harvard, Massachusetts, 1791
5. Quick Step Manner -- Sung by John Robinson, Shirley, Mass, 1815
6. The Happy Journey -- Sung by Joshua Goodrich, Harvard, Mass, 1808
7. How Beautiful Do The Heavens Ring -- Hancock, Massachusetts, 1849
8. Living Souls Let's Be Marching -- singing of Brother Ricardo Belden, 1957,
Tyringham, Massachusetts, 1853
9. Followers of the Lamb -- Clarissa Jacobs, New Lebanon, NY, 1847/1985
10. Put Thy Hands To Work -- Community unknown, 1869
11. A Prayer for the Captive -- Cecilia DeVere, New Lebanon, New York, 1862
12. Glory and Honor -- David A. Buckingham, Watervliet, New York, 1873
13. O Do Feel More Life -- Sodus, New York, 1837
14. Welcome, Welcome Gospel Kindred -- Lydia Dole, Groveland, NY, 1865
15. Chinese -- Groveland, New York
16. Praise to Mother -- Ann Marie Love (?), Groveland, NY, 1852
17. A Round Dance -- Eldress Lydia Dole, Groveland, NY, 1865
18. All is Summer -- Groveland, NY, 1875
19. If Our Home is So Beautiful -- Groveland, NY, 1893
20. All at Home -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1870/1912
21. More Love -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1870/1914
22. Prayer Universal -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1890
23. Millennial Praise -- James G. Russell, Enfield, New Hampshire, 1883
24. Peace to Zion -- Enfield, New Hampshire, 1851
25. The Shakers -- text: Richard McNemar, ca. 1813/
tune: From the singing of the Sabbathday Lake Shakers, 1980
26. Simple Gifts -- Joseph Brackett, Jr., Alfred, Maine, 1848
27. Blended Together -- Joseph Holden, New Lebanon, NY, 1870/
Sabbathday Lake Shaker singers, 1974
28. Let Zion Move -- Mary Ann Gillespie, Alfred, Maine, 1875
29. Redeeming Love -- Mary Ann Gillespie, Alfred, Maine, 1875
30. Mother -- text: Richard McNemar. Union Village, Ohio, ca. 1813/
tune: From the singing of the Sabbathday Lake Shakers, 1974
31. How Happy Are They -- Richard McNemar, Watervliet, Ohio, 1833
32. Ode to Contentment -- text: Richard Pelham/tune: Issachar Bates, North Union, Ohio, 1833-35
33. On the Landing of Mother Ann in America -- North Union, Ohio, 1860
34. Slow March (The angels of heaven) -- Ephraim Frost,
Whitewater (or White Water Village), Ohio, 1872
35. Gentle Words -- Polly M. Rupe, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, ca. 1867
36. Love is Little -- South Union, Kentucky, ca. 1834/ 1976
Reviews:
"The recording includes a nice contrast of styles, tempi, vocal timbres and ranges. It resists the temptation to 'arrange' the music for modern performance, but lets the music speak for itself. I'd recommend both the book and recording as useful for singers and scholars, and would suggest that traditional music groups will find the collection a means of incorporating these songs into their own repertories. I'd also recommend the recording if for no other reason than that you'll enjoy it."--- Susan Porter, Professor of Music, Ohio State University, Lima, Ohio in The Sonneck Society for American Music Bulletin, Summer, 1993.
"The excellent vocals of Mitzie, Roger and the Sampler Chorus carry this recording onto a high level of musical achievement. Anyone interested in the Shakers and their music must have this recording."
---"Andy Recommends" in Andy's Front Hall Order Catalog, Voorheesville, New York.
Simple Gifts of Shaker Music
This specially produced non-commercial CD compiled and produced by Roger Hall with over one hour of music contains 18 Shaker spirituals was recorded in live concerts and from Public Radio programs between 1976 and 2002.
It includes six different versions of the best known Shaker song, "Simple Gifts" (aka: 'Tis the gift to be simple), arranged by Bob Beers, Judy Collins, Aaron Copland, and Roger Hall.
To receive a copy, make a donation of $20 or more to help keep this music preservation site online.
Make your donation by credit card payable to PineTree Productions, through safe and secure PayPal.
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please send your mailing address to:
Simple Gifts of Shaker Music
The music from this CD is also included on the multimedia disc,
Simple Gifts:
Shaker Chants and Spirituals (Erato)
This CD from 1995 features The Boston Camerata, directed by Joel Cohen, with the Schola Cantorum, joined by the Shakers and recorded at Sabbathday Lake, Maine.
There are a few errors in the CD notes. Contrary to what is written, The Spiritual Sailor in four-part harmony was NOT a Shaker hymn.
Also, the title song of this CD and best known Shaker song, "Simple Gifts," was NOT composed "circa 1875." You can read the correct information at: Joseph Brackett's "Simple Gifts"
See track listings and order at this link:
Simple Gifts: Shaker Chants and Spirituals
Learn how Joel Cohen found out about Shaker music,
which led him to record the best-selling CD, Simple Gifts.
Find out here
Read the notes for The Boston Camerata CD here
Another recommended CD release by The Boston Camerata...
The Golden Harvest: More Shaker Chants and Spirituals
Read the review of this Boston Camerata CD
with transcriptions by Anne Azema and Joel Cohen
and recorded at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker meeting house
at this link,
The Humble Heart:
24 Shaker Spirituals
(PTM 1004)
See the track titles for this CD with
Shaker arrangements by Roger Hall at
Beautiful Harp Music by Diane Schneider
From her series of soothing harp music, there are three CDs with Shaker song arrangements...
15 tracks of beautiful Christmas music arrangements by Diane Schneider, including "Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming" (2:36); "The First Noel" (3:03); "I Wonder As I Wander" (5:31); "Silent Night" (4:49). There is also one Shaker Christmas hymn ("When Christ was of a Virgin Born" (3:05) from the music collection: Joy of Angels: Shaker Spirituals for Christmas and the New Year.
Harp of Hope
2008 POW! Award-winning instrumental CD
There are 17 tracks on this CD including these tunes: "Greensleeves" (3:51), "The Ash Grove" (2:47), "Kum Ba Yah" (2:22). There are also hymns like "Abide With Me" (1:53), "Amazing Grace" (3:57), and "Nearer My God To Thee" (2:39). The Shaker song is the best known one: Elder Joseph Brackett's "Simple Gifts" (3:36) in a lovely arrangement by Diane Schneider. In addition to this music, there is a bonus track titled: "Angel's Wing" - described as "a 9 minute improvisation with floating, rhythm-less arpeggios to induce relaxation." There is also an Animal Therapy Edition of this same CD "for soothing relief, deep sleep, and anti-anxiety with dogs, cats, birds, horses -- and their owners."
This lovely CD of traditional songs of faith arranged by Diane Schneider includes three Shaker songs: "Love is Little" (2:45), "We Must Be Meek" (2:37), ""My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down." (3:35). Also the CD includes such well known hymns as" "How Great Thou Art" (4:42); "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"; and "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" (3:00).
All the selections are "therapeutically arranged to calm anxiety,
stabilize heart rate, and encourage restful sleep."
To order these CDs, click on this link:
The River of Love:
Music of the Shakers and Music Based on Shaker Themes
(Albany Records)
Featuring original Shaker melodies and arrangements by William Cutter, Aaron Copland , and World Premiere recordings of a cantata by Jacob Druckman, and Eric Sawyer's The Humble Heart: A Cantata for Youth.
The performers on this CD include these soloists:
Emily Browder, soprano
Pamela Dellal, mezzo-soprano
Andrew Leonard, tenor
Robert Honeysucker, baritone
Bill Geha, piano
Malcolm Halliday, conductorThe CD features the New England Voices, a performing and educational ensemble founded in 1998 and including youth and adult singers and instrumentalists.
Assisting with Shaker music research was musicologist and singer,
Roger Lee Hall.The founder and director, Nancy Annis McDowell, writes:
"The program is grouped thematically for the most part, songs about Mother Ann, songs about love, four-part spirituals, and hymns chosen by contemporary composers for their works based on Shaker themes. The River of Love perpetuates a new genre of American music begun by Jacob Druckman. Music based on Themes of the American Shakers. This recording by New England Voices, the first of its kind, is especially suited for youth as both performers and listeners."
Participants in this recording project (left to right):
Roger Lee Hall, Nancy Annis McDowell,
and Eric Sawyer.
(photo by Gail Hall)
New England Voices - Combined Choirs
(photo by Gail Hall)
Track Titles:
1. Hymn: Prayer Universal - Combined Choirs
2. Song: Simple Gifts (arranged by Aaron Copland) -- Pamela Dellal, mezzo-soprano; Bill Geha, piano
3. Song: A Mince Pie or a Puding (New Lebanon, NY) -- Emily Browder, Nancy McDowell, Pamela Dellal, Andrew Leonard
4. From a Shaker Hymnal -- There's a Light (arranged by William Cutter) - Combined Choirs; Amy Carroll, flute
5. From a Shaker Hymnal -- Let Zion Move (arranged by William Cutter) - Combined Choirs; Amy Carroll, flute
6. From a Shaker Hymnal-- I Will Go On My Way (arranged by William Cutter)- Combined Choirs; Amy Carroll, flute
7. Song: Drink Ye - Andrew Leonard, tenor
8. Song: I Love Mother - Corinne Candilis, child soloist
9. Mother Ann's Song - Michael Pritchard, bass
10. Mother Ann's Closet - Emily Browder, soprano
11. Dissmission of the Devil - Robert Honeysucker, baritone
12. Hymn: The Humble Heart - Pamela Dellal, mezzo-soprano
13. The Humble Heart: A Cantata For Youth (composed by Eric Sawyer, 2006 - World Premiere Recording) -- Emily Browder, Pamela Dellal, Andrew Leonard, Robert Honeysucker, Combined Choirs
14. More Love - Emily Browder, soprano
15. Invitation to the River of Love - Robert Honeysucker, baritone
16. Love is Little - Jennifer Shaw. soprano
17. Pretty Home - Grace Long, soprano
18. A Snag of it or a Handful of Gospel Love - Children's Chorus
19. Tuvan Throat Singing - Thomas Erick Summer, tenor
20. Adagio in Lydian Mode from String Quartet No. 2 (Eric Sawyer) - Karen Oosterbaan, violin; Frederick Bednarz, violin; Thomas Fajaro, viola; Hazel Gietheim, cello
21. Sweet Summer Land - Combined Choirs
22. I'll Tell Thee of Heaven - Combined Choirs
23. I Hunger and Thirst - Laura Stanfield Pritchard, soprano
24. I Know How to Pay - Philip Candilis, bass
25. On Zion's Holy Ground - Diane Taraz Shriver, soprano
26. Work for the Harvest - Combined Choirs
27. In My Father's House - Combined Choirs
28. Come Life, Shaker Life - Combined Choirs
29. O Heaven of Heavens - Emily Browder, soprano
30. One, Two, Three Steps - Emily Browder, Nancy McDowell, sopranos
31. Little Trumpet - Thomas Erick Summer, tenor
32. I've Set My Face for Zion's Kingdom - Combined Choirs
33. Funeral Hymn - Pamela Dellal, mezzo-soprano
34. The Simple Gifts: A Cantata Based on Themes of the American Shakers (Jacob Druckman, 1954/ World Premiere Recording)
- Emily Browder, soprano; Philip Candilis, bass;
Pamela Dellal, mezzo-soprano; Andrew Leonard, tenor
35. Farewell Song - Thomas Erik Summer, tenor
36. I Will Bow and Be Simple - Combined Choirs
37. Living Souls Let's Be Marching - Combined Choirs
Order your copy of The River of Love CD from Amazon.com
Click here
For more information about this performing ensemble, go to
Read the review of this Tudor Choir CD
Click here
Three Instrumental CDs
(Gourd Music)
A series of three CDs with very appealing medleys of Shaker melodies, arranged by William Coulter (guitar) and Barry Phillips (cello) and joined by an ensemble of highly talented folk musicians.
These CDs for recommended for enjoyable listening. To see track titles, click on the links.
Simple Gifts (GM 106)
(11 tracks)
Tree of Life (GM 114)
(12 tracks)
Music On The Mountain (GM 124)
(15 tracks)
DVDs with Shaker Music
Review:
This DVD was produced by Mary Ann Haagen, Musical Director of The Enfield Shaker Singers, She has written the following information for the DVD:
"The Enfield Shaker Singers are a group of amateur and professional musicians who have been singing together for 20 years with the goal of discovering, learning and presenting the songs and dances of the American Shakers. The Singers' extensive repertoire is drawn from Shaker written and aural accounts. Shaker dance is a unique American worship tradition in which marching, gesturing and dancing were a powerful expression of faith and an affirmation of communal life."
The DVD has two sections. The first one is a twenty minute film demonstration of the dances and marching, with commentary by Mary Ann Haagen.
The second or extra section has complete versions of the nineteen songs and dances.Also included is an insert booklet with the complete source information
for each of the songs and dances.This is the list of songs:
1. Come Let Us Flock
2. I Am Filled With Heavenly Treasures
3. I Love to See a Living Soul
4. I Love to Sing and Worship God
5. In Love and Peace
6. Let Me Have Mother's Gospel
7. Of Mother's Love I Want a Crumb
8. O Ho The Pretty Chain
9. O The Simple Gifts of God
10. O Will You Sing Another Song
11. Our Support We'll Gather In
12. To A Fullness
13. Turn to the Right
14. We Will Go Forth
15. Where My Hand Has Spread Around
16. With A New Tongue
17. With Every Simple Gift
18. With the Lamb of Mt. Zion
19. Yielding and Simple
The songs and dances are well performed by The Enfield Shaker Singers in Shaker dress, under Mary Ann Haagen's authoritative direction. She has collected the song and dance research and is also one of the performers. The production was edited by David Millstone.
This filmed demonstration consists of re-creations based on dance sources by 19th century Shakers.
There are also several songs with motioning from the singing of two 20th century Shakers: Sister R. Mildred Barker and Eldress Marguerite Frost.The Shakers no longer do the dancing and marching, having ceased doing them in the early 20th century. Yet there continues to be considerable interest in this aspect of Shaker culture.
For those who are interested in how Shakers danced, marched and gestured, this is a most informative and essential resource.
Highly recommended.
--Roger Lee Hall
For information how to order, click on this web site link:
Filmmaker Ken Burns is known for the very popular series on PBS television,
such as"The Civil War"; "Baseball"; and "Jazz."One of his first documentary films he made premiered on PBS in 1985 and was titled: "The Shakers"
It was beautifully photographed, and sensitively narrated by historian, David McCullough.Unfortunately, there was not enough mention of 20th century Shakers. Too much time was spent on the rise and fall of Shaker communities during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Several Shaker sisters were interviewed but not given enough attention in this documentary. Some viewers have assumed that there are no longer any Shakers living, while the Shakers still have a community in Sabbathday Lake, Maine.
Also, very little of the music was sung by the Shakers themselves on the soundtrack. Most of the music was arranged by Jesse Carr and a CD soundtrack was never released.
First issued on videotape, it is now available on DVD as...
Ken Burns' America: The Shakers
In 1999, Ken Burns produced another documentary shown on PBS which included some Shaker music, but it was not identified correctly.
CD: Not for Ourselves Alone:
The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony
The DVD has the same title...
Not for Ourselves Alone:
The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton
& Susan B. Anthony
Included in this documentary film by Ken Burns and Paul Barnes is some Shaker music. The soundtrack CD for Not for Ourselves Alone lists only one Shaker song:
"Good Evening My Friends" (track 8 of the CD).
Actually there are TWO Shaker songs included on this track:
"Good Evening, My Friends" (New Lebanon, New York, 1837)
"Mount Lebanon March" (New Lebanon, New York, 1822)Both songs were published in the collection titled, The Happy Journey: Thirty-Five Shaker Spirituals. This collection was edited by Roger L. Hall, and published by The Fruitlands Museums in Harvard, Massachusetts in 1982. Hall transcribed these tunes from the original Shaker "letteral" notation and prepared performing editions of them.
Unfortunately, this music collection is now out-of-print.Copies of these two tunes in performing editions are available by request. Write to: Two Shaker Song Editions
The two Shaker song arrangements used in Not for Ourselves Alone were made by William Coulter and Barry Phillips. This CD is one of the best recordings of Shaker instrumental arrangements available today. If you love simple and tasteful instrumental arrangements, then you will enjoy this CD.
The Shakers On Television
Sister R. Mildred Barker
© 1983. Gail Hall, photographer
A limited edition DVD, playable on your computer, is available with selected programs originally telecast on network and cable TV stations between 1966 and 1991.
The earliest is a half-hour black & white NET program from 1966, "What's New," hosted by Tony Saletan. It is believed to be the earliest telecast about the Shakers, and includes scenes from the Shaker Village Work Group (formerly Work Camp), a summer program for teenagers in New Lebanon, New York. An article, "Singing at Shaker Village Work Camp," was written by Roger Hall in the December 1996 issue (Vol. 1, Number 3) of SHAKERS WORLD. This article is available when ordering the DVD.
The 1966 television program also includes a brief interview with Sister R. Mildred Barker. This early television program is discussed in the book, The Story of SIMPLE GIFTS.
Other selections on the DVD include interviews with Eldress Bertha Lindsay at Canterbury, New Hampshire; and with Sister Mildred Barker and Sister Frances Carr at the last remaining Shaker community in Sabbathday Lake, Maine.Most of these programs are rare and hard-to-find anywhere else. They were transferred from vintage videotapes so the quality is not of today's digital standards. The DVD is playable on your computer but may not play on separate DVD players.
This DVD-R is for Educational, Non-Commercial Use Only. It is available for only a limited time in single copies.
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See also
Aaron Copland Meets The Shakers
Joseph Brackett's Simple Gifts
Shaker Music Books and Articles
Shaker Music Collections and Songbooks
Top Twelve Recorded Shaker Tunes
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