Tudor founder Doug Fullington directs the 17-strong Seattle-based mixed choir in a wonderful collection of 18th and 19th century American Shapenote songs, in this their 2nd CD. The composers who wrote and taught Shapenote songs sought ways for the melody to crop up in all of the vocal parts, or at least for each vocal part to have an interesting musical line, as opposed to all the lower parts supporting the sopranos. 24 spirited songs are here, some of the most melodic, upbeat Christian hymns we've heard. It's obviously more fun to sing Shapenote, because the singers are just singing their tails off! 'Montgomery,' 'Sweet Prospect,' 'China,' 'Soar away,' the joyous 'The better land,' the welcoming 'Weeping Mary,' the dynamic 'Eternal day,' 'Heavenly union,' 'Evening shade,' 'All is well,' 'Africa,' 'Traveling on,' the upbeat 'Happy land,' the glorious fugue 'New Jerusalem,' 'Hallelujah'. These are amazing songs, very blue collar, not designed to be sung in cathedrals. One rarely suspects of cathedral choirs that they are having too much fun singing, but we are certain of it here! Extensive liner notes. Recommended!

Listen to Weeping Mary in RealAudio.