1 There Is a Balm in Gilead - The Florida A & M University Concert Choir
2 We Shall Walk through the Valley in Peace - The Princely Players
3 Roll, Jordan, Roll - The Princely Players
4 I've Been Buked and I've Been Scorned - The Florida A & M University
5 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - The Princely Players
6 Joshua Fit de Battle - The Fisk Jubilee Singers
7 Wade in the Water - The Fisk Jubilee Singers
8 Deep River - The Howard University Chamber Choir
9 Listen to the Lambs - The Howard University Chamber Choir
10 Everytime I Feel the Spirit - The Florida A & M University Concert Choir
11 Oh Freedom- The Princely Players
12 Gospel Train - The Princely Players
13 I'm a-Rolling through an Unfriendly World - The Princely Players
14 Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child - Kehembe Eichelberger
15 Steal Away - The Princely Players
16 Go in the Wilderness - The Princely Players
17 Ezekiel Saw the Wheel - The Florida A & M University Concert Choir
18 Ain't Got Time to Die - The Howard University Chamber Choir
19 Wade in the Water - The Howard University Chamber Choir

From Amazon.com

Beyond the Jordan

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: This collection beautifully and powerfully captures the experiential essence of the African American Spirituals. They are sung just as they were composed--with spontaneous power, group harmony, and personal authenticity.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and the forthcoming "Sacred Friendships: Listening to the Voices of Women Soul Care-Givers and Spiritual Directors."

African American Spirituals: The Concert Tradition

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: This is an excellent presentation of glorious music which helped to save the sanity and physical being of slaves.

Better than I expected (from collegiate selections)

 Album Rating: (4 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: I listen to the last two songs (Ain't Got Time to Die & Wade in the Water) over and over and over again. Selections 5, 7, 10, 16, and 17 are great for sing-along. Seven more still have appeal. 14 of 19 - a better than average CD!

Excellent!

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: Spirituals as presented in the concert tradition, such as were performed by the Jubilee Singers after the Civil War. As such, they are not intended to sound like "field recordings" (as one reviewer here had apparantly expected) but rather, polished concert performances. The documentation (liner notes, bibliography, etc) is outstanding...one could teach a workshop just using the CD and notes.

If you're seeking a field recording sound, I suggest "I Believe in Angels Singing: Songs from the Underground Railroad Era (Cassette)
Order from Highlander Center 1959 Highlander Way
New Market, TN 37820 Tel: (423) 933-3443

Quality recording but not true to form.

 Album Rating: (3 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: This is a nice recording and it is well done. The quality of the music is very good but I was disappointed. All of the pieces are performed by choirs and as such are not true to the spiritual in its purest form. These are songs intended to be sung by people that are weary and heavy laden looking for rest. These are very personal songs which should be sung from the heart by a single voice. If not a single voice, a small group. If you are looking for spirituals sung by a large choir in a tightly controlled environment, this is for you. If you are looking for songs which are sung from the heart and soul, this is not it.