The Shakers, best described as a Protestant Monastic Community, traveled from Manchester, England to America in 1 774. They formed several communities from Maine to Kentucky. As a major part of their lives, worship was enhanced by singing, which was considered one of the most important 'gifts' given to the group. The best known Shaker hymn, 'Simple Gifts' is the final song on this recording. Written by Elder Joseph Brackett ca. 1875, this hymn has become separated from its original purpose. Thousands of songs existed among the various communities and celebrated their religious beliefs as well as many historical occasions. The songs are simple folk like tunes that were sung in unison much like Gregorian chant. Occasionally, part singing and instrumental accompaniment were used, but this was a late addition. The melodies are beautiful, but merely serve as a vehicle for the importance of the words. This recording by the Boston Camerata features members of the Shaker Community of Sabbathday Lake, ME. This project preserves a very important part of American heritage.

Golden Harvest is an assortment of Shaker songs collected from their many communities. This wonderful music consists of thousands of songs on various religious topics. This is quite miraculous considering that the entire Shaker religion had no more than one thousand members at a time in its two hundred year existence. Nearly extinct, the Shakers and their inspiring music, fortunately, will be forever remembered as a result of this great recording. As a bonus this CD features a conversation between Joel Cohen and the members of the Sabbathday Lake community.

Christmas tunes from New England, the deep South, Shaker spirituals, and European-inflected folk songs, along 'Joy to the World' and alternate lyrics to 'Adeste Fideles' and 'Auld Lang Syne'. The music is eerily beautiful in that bittersweet folk way and highlights include a gorgeous solo strophic tune, 'The Heavenly Courtier,' a hypnotic erotic Bridegroom spiritual, a few folksy close harmony tunes, and Jesus, the Light of the World (alternate tune for Hark, the Herald Angels Sing). The singing is both beautiful for hearing and insightful for listening, and even in the old warhorses, they play with an exuberance that makes the listener what to sing out loud. This is a disc to warm the coldest American Scrooge's heart, and will hold a proud place in my Christmas collection.

This recortding is one of several in the highly successfule series of Christmas recordings from this fine ensemble. The music on this collection spans seven centuries (12th to 19th) and offers a wide and diverse range of compositions. Director Joel Cohen opens with a Hebrew cantillation of 'Isaiah's Prophecy' of the comming of the Messiah, moves on to a 10th-century Spanish setting of a sibylline prophecy, and then takes us to 12th-century Provence with 'Adest Pronsus'. The performances are always stylish and captivating.... a treasure and essential to your collection.

Listen to Gaude Maria in RealAudio.

An excellent companion to the other Christmas titles in this series here are some of the great Christmas songs of the Renaissance period. Traditional and early songs and carols from across Europe are brought to life by this wonderful vocal ensemble. If the holiday season stresses you out then you will be sure to relax during the listening of this recording of music from a far less frantic time.

Listen to Nouvelles, nouvelles in RealAudio.