Named after a radical right-wing American organization – and possibly for that reason simply retitled The Arm of the Lord in the States – Covenant, self-produced by the group at its longtime studio Western Works, is something of a curious release.
Brother Joe May was the male counterpart to Mahalia Jackson, a full-voiced tenor of amazing range and power. Although he recorded prolifically for the Nashboro label for the bulk of his career, this 27-track collection brings together his earliest recordings for the Specialty label. Although many of these tracks feature him working with the Sallie Martin Singers, Sister Wynona Carr, the Pilgrim Travelers, and his daughter Annette May, the real star of the show is Brother Joe, whose voice simply soars no matter what the surroundings.
First of the Big Bands is a studio album by Tony Ashton of Ashton, Gardner and Dyke and Jon Lord of Deep Purple, released in April 1974 by Purple Records in the UK and Europe and Warner Bros. Records in the US. The project was Ashton's and Lord's brainchild and continuation of their working relationship after Ashton Gardner & Dyke helped out on Jon Lord's soundtrack album The Last Rebel from 1971. Stylistically, First of the Big Bands was the precursor to Paice Ashton Lord's Malice in Wonderland album from 1977. Most of the album was recorded at Air and Apple Studios, London, with additional work being completed at De Lane Lea and Island.
Digitally remastered edition of this classic solo release from the Deep Purple member. The new artwork includes liner notes exclusively written by Roger Glover. The Gemini Suite was first performed in September 1970 at the Royal Festival Hall and was recorded the following year at the Abbey Road and de Lane Lea studios as the first solo project of Jon Lord. It is a six piece classic-rock fusion work inspired by the members of Deep Purple and was recorded with the London Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Oscar winner Malcolm Arnold and is featuring the guest musicians Albert Lee, Yvonne Elliman, Tony Ashton as well as the two other Deep Purple member Ian Paice and Roger Glover.
Sarabande is the second solo album by Jon Lord recorded in September 1975 near Düsseldorf (Germany). The orchestra was conducted by Eberhard Schoener. The complete Sarabande suite was premiered in live performance in Budapest on 18 September 2010 and later in Sofia on (30 October) and Essen (15 November). Lord amended the 1975 orchestrations, and also orchestrated Aria, which was played on piano and synthesizers on the recording, and Caprice which was simply a group performance on record. 'Finale' was made-over to allow the ‘parade of themes’ section -which was done with tape-loops on the recording- to be played live.
John Eliot Gardiner's is a highly musical and inspired account of Messiah, featuring an excellent group of soloists and an outstanding period-instrument band. With dance rhythms athletically sprung and da capo arias tastefully ornamented, the performance generates consistent interest and is lively in spite of its length. There is splendid choral singing from the Monteverdi Choir–the ending of "All We Like Sheep" is quite potent–and much wonderful work from the soloists. The recording, made in 1982, is impeccable.
In the Russian Orthodox Church, "only human voices are allowed to take part in the worship of the Lord." Directed by Lawrence Havriliak, the St. John's Russian Orthodox Choir of Spring Valley, New York sings a capella Ukrainian Christmas carols. Sung in Church Slavonic.