PROGRAMMESaturday, 2 May 2009 St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury at 7.45 pm
BLACK VOICES
Sandra Francis, Celia Anderson, Shereece Storrod, Evon Nelson, Carol Pemberton
'Spiritual Journey'
A Suite of Songs mapping the journey of the Spirituals Written and arranged for Black Voices by Ken Burton
A free-flowing selection including classical, jazz, blues, pop, traditional, African and Caribbean items - introduced by the group
'SPIRITUAL JOURNEY'
Universally, out of the most awful oppressing and depressing circumstances, the human spirit finds immeasurable strength out of which are born a myriad of wonders, including great artistic expressions. One of the greatest art forms to emerge from the Atlantic slave trade, which spanned many centuries but at its height during the 18th and 19lh centuries, took people from the west coast of Africa to the 'New World', was the Negro Spiritual.
Spirituals, slave folklore, sorrow or slave songs, as they are also known served as an essential survival tool for the slaves. These songs provided some relief during hard labour. They were also used as encouragement in difficult times of loneliness, uniting slave communities and fuelling their determination to re-gain their freedom. Many of the spirituals contain references to well known biblical characters who overcame impossible odds and triumphed over their enemies, these provided great hope for the slaves who often likened their situation to characters such as David against Goliath, Daniel in the lions den or Joshua victorious in the battle of Jericho to name just a few. Often leaders within the slave community would be likened to Moses in the Bible who led the children of Israel. Many believe that the spiritual 'Go Down Moses' refers to the work of Harriet Tubman in heading the underground movement, which helped many slaves escape to freedom, taking them from the deep south of America to free land in the north in Canada.
In highlighting some of the functions of the spiritual, it is important to note that through many of the coded spirituals, the slaves were able to communicate with each other, sharing via an 'oral newspaper' plans for escape, the deaths of fellow slaves, new arrivals to the plantations etc. Often words such as Heaven, Jesus, Lord, Going over Jordan, Canaan's Land were used interchangeably within the spiritual meaning freedom, and so the slaves could communicate and plan effectively without arousing suspicion.
We owe much today to the work of pioneering groups like the Fisk Jubilee Singers who introduced the spirituals to many audiences across Europe. Their main aim in touring and performing spirituals was to raise money for a building programme at their university. As a direct result, many choirs still perform many of the spirituals today.
'Spiritual Journey' takes a cappella quintet Black Voices into a new dimension, as the group embarks on a journey that maps a clear path of a small, but broad spectrum of spirituals, highlighting their function and beauty. The complete suite is composed/ arranged by Ken Burton, and whilst many of the songs have new arrangements, the obvious message of the strength and resolve of the slave is not compromised. The messages of the spiritual, coded or otherwise resonate clearly with the listener, and delivers comfort, humour, resolve, determination, purpose and hope.
1a. AFRICANA - Many from the native homelands describe instances where one voice in the village starts to sing, and other voices gradually join in, a common trait of black music tradition. Africana begins with one voice humming, getting gradually more joyful, and one by one the voices join in. The song is constructed as a series of rhythmic chants.
1b. BROKEN SPIRIT - During the period of slavery, many families were broken up, and diminished. The previous song continues, but with voices dropping out, one by one until there is one lone voice, the music becomes more melancholic. Families were broken up, and different tribes separated from each other in order to prevent communication; this encouraged communication in hums, moans and groans.
2. THE SPIRIT SPEAKS - A good demonstration of how the slaves communicated in hums, moans and groans.
3. NOBODY BUT ME ONE - This spiritual is based on an actual song the slaves sang, on arrival in the 'New World', to communicate the fact that during the Middle Passage crossing, some family members did not make it. The song is basically 'call and response', again typical of African oral tradition.
4. SOMETIMES I FEEL - An arrangement of the original 'Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child'
5. THE DELIVERER - A spiritual that speaks of the hope of freedom.
6. WHO'S GONNA HEAL MY BROKEN SPIRIT? - This is an emotional song of questioning.
7. BALM IN GILEAD - The 'answer' to song number 6.
8. EVERY TIME I FEEL THE SPIRIT - Prayer & faith sustained the spirit of the African; music was a form of release. This spiritual is lively and more hopeful.
9. MEDLEY: The Bible Stories. 'Go Down Moses', 'Joshua Fit De Battle', 'Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel', 'Ezekiel' and 'Dem Bones'. The slaves learned and passed on Bible stories through the Spirituals; the songs reflect Bible characters that had a resonance with their situation.
10. SWEET JESUS - The song is a medley of Spirituals which talk about the character of Jesus as a friend,:- 'Nobody Knows The Trouble I See', 'He's the Lily Of The Valley' and 'Steal Away'. '
11. WADE IN THE WATER - Songs were often sung as a means of escape from the hostile conditions of servitude. Often the words would have an earthly as well as heavenly meaning. The song is another medley of 'escape songs' - 'Wade In the Water', 'The Gospel Train's a Coming' and 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'. The mood of the song is one of 'conversation'.
12. FREEDOM - Spiritual, emotional, and geographical freedom was at the heart of the experience. The finale is an explosion of freedom, with strains of African chants, (sung in English).
Black Voices - Music with a Message!
Black Voices are the UK's leading female a cappella quintet. Established in 1988, they have steadily built an international reputation for delivering Inspiring, quality vocal performances and workshops.
All born and bred in Birmingham - England, Black Voices have developed their own unique brand of a cappella with an ever growing repertoire that includes Gospel, spirituals, traditional African and Caribbean, pop, as well as jazz and their own creative fusions. Black Voices has forged its own dynamic way of distilling and re-presenting its music from an African-Caribbean, black British perspective. The group presents a cappella, both sacred and secular.
Since the group's informal beginnings in 1988, Black Voices have steadily built a reputation for delivering vocal music that eradicates barriers of age, race, gender or religious persuasion. All the members of Black Voices came through the black church and this firm grounding has aided their development in becoming a very popular, professional performance company.
Black Voices have performed for the Pope, many presidents, royalty, as well as the general public all over the world. Black Voices love to sing, and their enjoyment of their craft is infectious. Black Voices have performed in every continent and in numerous countries across the globe. Their sound is refreshing and their messages uplifting and full of hope and love. Their eagerness to experiment and diversify has meant that many composers and arrangers have been able to add new threads of colour to the rich tapestry of songs that make up Black Voices' ever growing repertoire.
Black Voices hosted and presented its own a cappella series with BBC Radio 2, has performed on radio and television in numerous countries around the world, has produced several CDs, researched, produced, directed and performed in several international collaborations.
Whatever your musical taste, you're sure to find something in Black Voices concert that will inspire and move you!
Last Updated : 11/05/2009