Albany Records: Spirituals in Zion

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Unaccompanied spirituals sung by Oral Moses in the historic Zion Baptist Church.

In 1619, twenty-two persons from different countries and tribes on the continent of Africa, landed in Jamestown, Virginia and were quickly bought and sold into the non-human existence of slavery. From this arduous and painful slave life sprang a poignant and powerful music genre that has become one of the most significant segments of American music. As you listen to this unique recording of unaccompanied Negro Spirituals, bass-baritone Oral Moses transports you into this deep dark world of bondage. Moses' deep resonant voice is well suited to command the strength, power and aesthetic beauty needed to maintain and support the strong tradition and characteristic elements that are so essential and inherent in the Negro Spiritual. The Negro Spiritual, sometimes referred to as plantation songs, sorrow songs or slave-songs, originated from the innermost being of enslaved Africans who were captured from the West Coast of Africa and transported to the Americas. While in bondage, they were forbidden to talk or make the musical instruments they had used in Africa, but they could sing whatever they felt. The gift of singing became an invaluable tool of expression and a relief from the cruel and brutal existence of the slave-life. It is in these simple African melodies, which, "sprang into existence," where the enslaved Africans expressed their pain, anger, grief, faith and joy. Just as Africans communicated among themselves using drum language in their own countries and tribes, so did the enslaved Africans continue to do so in America by using "cries," "hollers," "calls," "shouts," which eventually evolved into spirituals and work songs. This recording was made at Zion Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia. Founded in 1856 by slaves, this historic church proved a fitting location for the recording.

Traditional
Nobody knows de trouble I see
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
A little more faith in Jesus
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
And he never said a mumberlin' word
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
Tryin' to get ready
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
Po' pilgrim of sorrow
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
I'm a rollin'
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
Listen to the Angels shouting
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
Ev'ry time I feel the spirit
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
Go down Moses
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
I want to be ready
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
Oh Freedom
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
Deep River
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
Joshua fit de battle ob Jericho
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
ÕTis the old ship of Zion
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
Steal Away
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
Great Day!
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
My Lord, what a mourning
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

Traditional
Swing low, sweet chariot
Oral Moses, bass-baritone

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Unaccompanied spirituals sung by Oral Moses in the historic Zion Baptist Church.

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