On My Journey Now: Spirituals & Hymns
Lester Lynch, Baritone
Pentatone PTC 5186 571 (2017) (74:58)
Baritone Lester Lynch writes in the liner notes of his CD On My Journey Now: "I have dreamed of recording this album from the inception of my career. To realize that dream at this particular moment in time, to record these songs of freedom - African American songs of praise and jubilation - while the violence against black men, women and children is escalating, echoes the spiritual tradition and revolutionary act of those who raised their voices in song against brutality and inequality.
An asterisk denotes a Traditional Spiritual
1. Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen*
Arr. John Charles Britton
John Charles Britton, acoustic guitar/Phil Berkowitz, harmonica
2. Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child*
Arr. Moses Hogan
Victor Simonson, piano
3. Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel*
Originally arranged by H.T. Burleigh
Arr. L. Lynch/N. Faingold
Victor Simonson, piano/Brian Farrell, organ/ART Singers
4. On My Journey Now*
Arr. John Charles Britton
John Charles Britton, acoustic guitar
5. Give Me Jesus*
Arr. Mark Hayes
Lester Lynch, piano
6. Kumbaya
Congan Folk Song
Arr. B. Farrell/N. Faingold
Craig Bravo Miller, djembe/Oakland School of the Arts Ensemble
7. Go Down Moses*
Originally arranged by H.T. Burleigh
Arr. N. Faingold/L. Lynch
Victor Simonson, piano/Brian Farrell, organ/ART Singers
8. Deep River*
Arr. H.T. Burleigh
Victor Simonson, piano
9. Ain't-a That Good News*
Originally arranged by Uzee Brown, Jr.
Arr. N. Faingold
Victor Simonson, piano/Don Lewis/ART Singers
10. Amazing Grace
John Newton
Arr. V. Simonson
John Charles Britton, acoustic guitar/Phil Berkowitz, harmonica
11. Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho*
Arr. V. Simonson/L. Lynch
Victor Simonson, piano
12. De Blin' Man Stood On De Road An' Cried*
Arr. H.T. Burleigh
Victor Simonson, piano
13. Stand Still Jordan*
Arr. H.T. Burleigh
Victor Simonson, piano
14. Wade in the Water*
Arr. L. Lynch/V. Simonson/B. Farrell
Victor Simonson, piano/Brian Farrell, organ/ART Singers
15. By An' By*
Victor Simonson, piano
16. My Lord, What a Morning*
Originally arranged by H.T. Burleigh
Arr. V. Simonson/L. Lynch/N. Faingold
Victor Simonson, piano/Brian Farrell, organ/Igor Pikayzen, violin/ART Singers
17. Were You There*
Arr. H.T. Burleigh
Victor Simonson, piano
18. Every Time I Feel the Spirit*
Originally arranged by H.T. Burleigh
Arr. V. Simonson
Victor Simonson, piano
19. Don't You Weep When I Am Gone*
Arr. H.T. Burleigh
Victor Simonson, piano
20. Battle Hymn of the Republic
Composed by W. Steffe - Originally arranged by P.J. Wilhousky
Arr. N. Faingold/L. Lynch
Victor Simonson, piano/Brian Farrell, Organ/Chris Barnes, trumpet/ART Singers
21. Let Us Break Bread Together*
Arr. Moses Hogan
Victor Simonson, piano
22. My Tribute (To God Be The Glory)
Music and lyrics Andrae Crouch
Arr. V. Simonson/L. Lynch/N. Faingold
Victor Simonson, piano/Brian Farrell, organ/Igor Pikayzen, violin/ART Singers
23. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands*
Originally arranged by Jacqueline Hairston
Arr. L. Lynch/N. Faingold
Victor Simonson, piano/Oakland School of the Arts Ensemble
24. Ride on, King Jesus*
Arr. Hall Johnson
Victor Simonson, piano
Lester Lynch has greatly enriched the presentation of the 24 tracks on this Pentatone recording by his careful selection of the sequence of the works as well as the variety of accompaniment, both vocal and instrumental. The acoustic guitar, harmonica, violin, organ and trumpet supplement the piano as instrumental companions to the beautiful baritone voice of Lester Lynch, which blends vigor and tenderness consistently throughout the program.
We have continued to enjoy this album after hearing it numerous times, and remain confident in the enduring nature of its appeal.
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