WIT AND HUMOR – A FUNNY SITE BY BOB WAYNE

Early American music is enjoying a resurgence and the new CD from The Rose Ensemble is setting a new standard for early American music.

Quite often, groups that have performed early American music such as Country Dances, Early American Carols, Kentucky Hill Song, Shaker Spiritual Songs, or Southern Harmony Hymns, have gone out of their way to sound amateurish and crude.

However, the past is no different from the present. Professional musicians have always set a high standard for themselves and the cream has always risen to the top. These are the people who would be invited to perform thses songs at churches, bazaars and county fairs, just as they are today.

So while The Rose Ensemble might be derided for the incredible level of professionalism they bring to this music, when it’s all said and done, people have always preferred to hear beloved music sung by the most talented and skilled singers.

There is great beauty and soul in this early American music and The Rose Ensemble has created an album demonstrating the pride and dignity of these early American songwriters.

Cudos to The Rose Ensemble for another mesmerizing album and especially to Lisa Drew, Contralto, for her powerful rendition of the poignant Shaker hymn “Pretty Home,” written in 1849 by Sister Patsy Williamson, one of the few African-American Shakers.

If you’d like to download “And Glory Shone Around: Early American Carols, Country Dances, Southern Harmony Hymns and Shaker Spiritual Songs” by The Rose Ensemble:

Or, if you’d like to download Lisa Drew’s rendition of “Pretty Home,” here you are: