TBGB Reviews…46 More Hidden Treasures from the African American Heritage Hymnal

46 More Hidden Treasures
from the African American Heritage Hymnal
James Abbington, Conductor
GIA Music 2007
www.giamusic.com

After the grand reception GIA Publications received for its 49 Hidden Treasures from the African American Heritage Hymnal, the company organized a choir from musically-gifted students and alumni of Morgan State University to make the sequel.

Like the original, the two-disc 46 More Hidden Treasures from the African American Heritage Hymnal ferrets out the unfamiliar, or just plain forgotten, songs collected in the now-classic hymnbook. It teaches congregations and choruses how to sing them and thus breathe new life into their church services and programs.

Unlike a typical choral composition demo CD, which is utilitarian by design, this set is instantly likeable and makes for good listening. Much of this has to do with the classically-trained choristers, who in one breath can deliver an anthem with appropriate austerity and a gospel with hand-clapping gusto in another. Equally important, the backing musicians enhance the arrangements without overpowering or outshining the choir.

The collection of songs on the two disc set is as diverse as the hymnbook itself, which was first printed in 2001. Covered on the CDs are standard Protestant and Catholic hymns, more recent gospel compositions, songs that straddle the fence between gospel and CCM (e.g., Bill Gaither), hymns that borrow from Irish melodies, and a selection from the Ecumenical Community of Taize in France (the hypnotic “Jesus Remember Me”). The producers even include a tasteful arrangement of “The Lord’s Prayer” made famous in the 1970s by Sister Janet Mead.

Two standout tracks, “The Lord is Blessing Me Right Now” and “He Has Done Great Things for Me,” owe a great deal to alto Sherry Lynn Hunt’s straight outta church leads. The latter could be released as a radio single, it’s that good. Issachah Savage’s vocal interpretation of “Precious Memories” is equally memorable, and the piano work on “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” sounds like it was torn right out of the Roberta Martin Singers songbook. The group’s rendition of the Ward Singers’ “Until I Found the Lord” is true to the original, sans Marion Williams’ high whoos, of course.

The Baptist lining hymn, “I Love the Lord, He Heard My Cry” seems almost impossible to articulate on staff paper, but the choir renders the otherworldly hymn with aplomb, as if to prove to the uninitiated that it can be done.

I was surprised to see songs such as the congregational favorite “Oh, What He’s Done for Me” and the Pilgrim Travelers’ late ’40s hit “I Thank You, Jesus” included, as I thought everyone knew these songs. But I’m not going to second guess the producers.

46 More Hidden Treasures, like its 49-song counterpart, are ready-made for fans of choir music. If they aren’t already, the sets ought to be sold at conventions such as the annual American Choral Directors Association, where they will be lapped up for personal listening and as educational tools.

Three of Four Stars