Cold Mountain

FAVORITES:
4.) The Scarlet Tide - Alison Krauss
8.) You Will Be My Ain True Love - Alison Krauss
14. Great High Mountain - Jack White
15.-18.) All of Gabriel Yard's score
19.) Idumea - Sacred Harp Singers At Liberty Church

I think that, in part, this comes from the strength of the old tunes that were used for this CD. Even in their watered-down, once-or-twice removed versions (i.e., except for the Sacred Harp songs, they are not being sung by people who have grown up with them and lived with them their whole lives, but by performers who sing them on stage), they shine through. I'm not a fan of Jack White's singing voice, but even he can't wreck "Wayfaring Stranger or "Great High Mountain."

Actually, most of White's songs were pretty good except for one he wrote himself: "Never Far Away." This was a truly mediocre song, sung in a very mediocre way, and the 3-note accompaniment to it reminded me of "Three Blind Mice." This song should have been left off of the album.

I enjoyed all of the other songs, especially those sung by Tim Eriksen and Cassie Franklin. "If fine lead crystal could sing, it would sound like Cassie Franklin," said someone who is familiar with her singing. I think this is a fine and accurate description of her voice. Tim Eriksen has a wonderful voice too, in my opinion, and I liked his rendition of "Am I born to die?" which also happens to be the tune, unharmonized, of "Idumea" which is featured last on the album.

Allison Kraus sounded far too tentative to my ears; I've heard her sing much more confidently on other albums and in person. I do wish that she had sung out more, so that her lovely voice would shine forth. It didn't on this album. Still, I liked her songs.

For sheer power, in my opinion the Sacred Harp singers steal the album. If you like your music served up with intensity, you will be delighted with these selections.

A word here about Sacred Harp singing: Unlike all the other selections on the album, which are performances, Sacred Harp is the real thing -- first generation, not watered down, sung by a mixture of those who have had it in their families for generations and those who have just discovered it. The people on the album are not a choir but a small group assembled from a larger community of singers who love this music.

The good news here is that, if you loved the tracks on this album, you too can get involved in Sacred Harp singing. It is participatory music, meaning everyone is there to sing for each other or, if they can't sing, to listen (but it's not a concert). Everyone is welcome; there are no auditions. You don't have to have a trained voice; you just have to have the voice you were born with. Just show up and you will be welcome. There's likely a group in your area; to find one, go to a search engine and type in "Sacred Harp."

All in all, I enjoyed this Cold Mountain CD. It will be one I listen to many times.