Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir

In 1992, Linda Tillery came across a treasure trove of field recordings of traditional African American music. Within months she had assembled the Cultural Heritage Choir, originally a six-member ensemble to perform spirituals, work and play songs, field hollers and other slave songs in the folk tradition. Her research introduced Tillery to the folk music catalog of the Library of Congress, the documentary recordings of the Lomaxes, the ethnomusicological work of Bernice Johnson Reagon, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and Eileen Southern's indispensable Greenwood Encyclopedia of Black Music.

Today, the Cultural Heritage Choir - featuring Rhonda Benin, Elouise Burrell, Melanie DeMore, Emma Foster-Fiege, and Linda Tillery - is one of the vital performing groups in its field, bringing traditional forms of African American culture to the stage. Solidly rooted in the past, all the way back to the African-derived Gullah culture of the South Carolina and Georgia Sea Islands, the CHC has a powerful vision of the future, as well. In addition to songs and chants, delivered through such stylistic forms as call-and-response, multi-layered harmonies, and repetitive verse, the CHC repertoire includes intoned sermons, folk tales, polyrhythmic percussion and dance.

Discography

Say Yo' Business

Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Jaime Moeno's Jam Don't You Ever Let Nobody Drag Yo' Spirit Down Po Polu I'm Angry Wayfaring Stranger The Middle Passage Spirituals Medley Stand Tall and be Happy Moj E Mira Neper Therra Tree of Life Ain't No Mo' Cane on Dis Brazos All the Pretty Little Horses Little Johnny Brown Ballin' The Jack I'll Fly Away

This fine debut recording explores a variety of African-American traditional music, from spirituals (high energy "Good News De Chariot's Comin'," "God's Gonna Set This World On Fire") to children's songs to prison work songs ("Down The Line") to African rhythms ("Gankogui/Welcome"). Tillery had an epiphany in 1991 which led her from a successful pop career to pursuing roots music. The talented women's ensemble she assembled sings (and plays drums) beautifully across this spectrum of music. In comparison with Sweet Honey in the Rock, this group is less improvisational (at least on this recording), achieving a cleaner sound without sacrificing passion or authenticity. Well done!

Front Porch Music

Good News Do Christ's Comin' Gankogui/Welcome Voice of Mother Afrika Gon' Knock John Booker See Line Woman Children's Medley: All Hid?, That's All Right Julie, Rosie Darling Rosie Spirituals Medley: Way Over In Beaulahland, Wade in the Water, Run Mary Run Job, Job Down the Line Arwhoolie God's Gonna Set This World on Fire Lay Down Body Goin' Home Tomorrow Take Me to the River Lift Every Voice and Sing

This fine debut recording explores a variety of African-American traditional music, from spirituals (high energy "Good News De Chariot's Comin'," "God's Gonna Set This World On Fire") to children's songs to prison work songs ("Down The Line") to African rhythms ("Gankogui/Welcome"). Tillery had an epiphany in 1991 which led her from a successful pop career to pursuing roots music. The talented women's ensemble she assembled sings (and plays drums) beautifully across this spectrum of music. In comparison with Sweet Honey in the Rock, this group is less improvisational (at least on this recording), achieving a cleaner sound without sacrificing passion or authenticity. Well done!

3448 CD $14.98

To find a specific song on any recording (or to find recordings by group name or CD title),
pick the search method and type the item you are searching for here:

By Song Title

By Group Name

By Recording Title

By Music Category Any Category Contemporary Vocal Jazz Barbershop Doo-Wop Choral Collegiate Gospel World

    or use our for more search options