The Antoniana Library in Padua holds a manuscript called Cantate alla virtù della Signora Maria Pignatelli. A true vocal anthology of the early 18th century, this period canzoniere contains forty-eight secular cantatas, almost all unpublished, by seventeen composers from the great artistic centres that Italy had around 1700: Rome and the Papal States (Bologna, Ferrara, Ravenna), the Duchy of Milan, Naples, the Kingdom of Sicily, and Venice.
Released January 21, 2014 on Signature Sounds. The 14-song album was recorded live at Boston’s Lizard Lounge on January 24, 20,13. The Sacred Shakers are comprised of Eilen Jewell and her band: Jason Beek, Jerry Miller, Johnny Sciascia and rounded out by Daniel Fram, Greg Glassman, Daniel Kellar, and Eric Royer. Together, they offer new life to the gospel genre by revisiting the stripped down country and bluesy gospel material that inspires them.