They Slice The Air
This ravishing acoustic album brings to life the sacred songs created and first sung by Africans enslaved in America in the 18th and 19th centuries.
TSP founder, noted psychologist and musician reveals how the spirituals embody a rich tradition of values, particularly in human relationships, community, and hope. Included in this soft cover edition is a newly recorded companion cd with 22 magnificent selections demonstrating the power of the spirituals.
Chapter One: “Over My Head I Hear Music in the Air”: African Beginnings
1) Over My Head, Traditional; performed by Melissa James & Kenneth Parks
2) Heav’n, Heav’n*, Arr. H.T. Burleigh; performed by Arthur Jones
Chapter Two: “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child”: Suffering and Transformation
3) The Blind Man Stood on the Road and Cried*, Arr. H.T. Burleigh; performed by Arthur Jones
4) Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Traditional; performed by James Williams
5) Mary Had a Baby*, Arr. Hall Johnson; performed by Arthur Jones
6) Sister Mary Had-a But One Child*, Arr. Roland Hayes; performed by Arthur Jones
Chapter Three: “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho”: Struggle and Resistance
7) Oh, Freedom, Traditional; performed by Joyce Cheatham & Ensemble
8) Go Down, Moses*, Arr. H.T. Burleigh; performed by Arthur Jones
9) Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?*, Arr. Edward Boatner; performed by Arthur Jones
10) Steal Away, Traditional; performed by Charmaine Anderson
11) Peter, Go Ring-a Them Bells*, Arr. J. Rosamond Johnson; performed by Arthur Jones
12) Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho*, Arr. H.T. Burleigh; performed by Arthur Jones
Chapter Four: “City Called Heaven”: A Working, Everyday Spirituality
13) This Little Light of Mine*, Arr. John W. Work; performed by Arthur Jones & Melissa James
14) We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder, Traditional; performed by Charmaine Anderson & Kenneth Parks
15) Lit’l Boy*, Arr. Roland Hayes; performed by Arthur Jones
16) I Want Jesus to Walk With Me, Traditional; performed by Arthur Jones & Charmaine Anderson
17) I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing, Traditional; performed by Arthur Jones & Ensemble
18) City Called Heaven*, Arr. Edward Boatner; performed by Arthur Jones
Chapter Five: “Scandalize’ My Name”: Accountability
19) Scandalize’ My Name*, Arr. Hall Johnson; performed by Kenneth Parks, Melissa James, Claurice McCoy, Arthur Jones & Ensemble
20) Give Me Your Hand*, Arr. Edward Boatner; performed by Arthur Jones & Ensemble
Chapter Six: “There Is a Balm in Gilead”: Hope and Healing
21) There is a Balm in Gilead*, Arr. Mark Hayes; performed by Melissa James
22) Wade in the Water*, Arr. Edward Boatner; performed by Arthur Jones
*Ingrid Hansen Thompson, piano
Ensemble: Soprano: Charmaine Anderson, Joyce Cheatham, Melissa James; Alto: Daphna Brown, Claurice McCoy; Tenor: Arthur Jones, Daniel Raybon, James Williams; Bass: Robert Davis, Arlen Hershberger, Kenneth Parks
Our 2nd CD released in 2003, TSP Choir collaborated with Anthony Brown, “Toil and Triumph, African American Spirituals”.
The CD contains the following selections. Click on the links below to hear a few samples of the music contained in this series.
1. Witness, Arr. Hall Johnson – Carl Fischer, Inc.
2. Didn’t it Rain, Arr. Margaret Bonds – Theodore Presser Co.
3. Every Time I Feel the Spirit, Arr. William L. Dawson – Tuskegee Institute
4. Nobody Knows de Trouble I’ve Seen, Arr. H.T. Burleigh – Warner Bros. Publications
5. I Know de Lord’s Laid His Hands on Me, Arr. H.T. Burleigh, Warner Bros. Publications
6. I’m A Trav’ling to the Grave, Arr. A.J. Hershberger – The Spirituals Project
7. Don’t Be Weary Traveler, Arr. H.T. Burleigh, Warner Bros. Publications
8. Ain’t-a That Good News!, Arr. Uzee Brown, Jr. (w/ Arthur Jones, tenor) – The Lorenz Corporation
9. Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Arr. H.T. Burleigh – Warner Bros. Publications
10. I got a Home in-a Dat Rock, Arr. Moses Hogan – Hal Leonard Corp.
11. I Been in the Storm So Long, Traditional
12. Is There Anybody Here Who Loves My Jesus?, Arr. L & M Byler
13. Give Me Jesus, Arr. A.J. Hershberger - The Spirituals Project
14. Scandalize My Name, Arr. Hall Johnson (w/ Arthur Jones, tenor) – G. Schirmer, Inc.
15. City Called Heaven, Arr. Edward Boatner
16. Heaven, Heaven, Arr. A.J. Hershberger – The Spirituals Project
17. Let Us Break Bread Together, Arr. Moses Hogan –Hal Leonard Corp.
18. Good News! Chariot’s Comin’, Arr. A.J. Hershberger – The Spirituals Project
19. God is a God, Arr. Wendell Whalum – Mar-Vel
20. He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand, Arr. Margaret Bonds – Theodore Presser Co.
Our first CD released in 2002, "The Spirituals Project Choir".
The CD contains the following selections. Click on the links below to download a few samples of the music contained in this series.
1. O Mary Don't You Weep, Don't You Mourn, Traditional
2. In Bright Mansions Above, Arr. Roland Carter
3. Go Down, Moses, Arr. H.T. Burleigh/Belwin-Mills Publishing
4. City Called Heaven, Arr. Hall Johnson
5. Don't You Let Nobody Turn You Roun', Arr. Phillip McIntyre/Shawnee Press
6. My God Is So High, Arr. A. Hershberger
7. I Don't Feel Noways Tired, James Cleveland
8. Calvary/Lord, Why Come Me Here?, Arr. James Williams
9. Hallelujah, Arr. A. Hershberger
10. I Want to Be Ready, Traditional
11. De Blin' Man Stood on de Road an' Cried, Arr. H.T. Burleigh/Belwin-Mills Publishing
12. You Better Min', Arr. A. Hershberger
13. Death's Gonna Lay His Col' Icy Hands on Me, Arr. A. Hershberger
14. Run, Sinner Run!, Arr. A. Hershberger
15. Wade in the Water, Arr. Howard Roberts/WB Music Corp.
16. I Can't Stay Away, Arr. A. Hershberger
17. The Old Ark's A-Movering, Traditional
18. Oh, Didn't it Rain!, Arr. H.T. Burleigh/Belwin-Mills Publishing
19. There's No Hiding Place, Arr. Glenn Burleigh
20. God's Gonna Set This Worl' on Fire, Arr. Moses Hogan/Hal Leonard Corp.
