Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers : The Best Of Jubilee   

An LA-born native Californian, Albert McNeil earned Bachelors and Masters degrees at UCLA and did his doctorate studies at USC, the Westminster Choir College of Princeton and the Univ. of Lausanne, Switzerland. He has been conducting groups and church choirs for most of his adult life, and has dedicated himself to upholding a tradition of choral excellence as Founder/Director of the McNeil Jubilee Singers in 1968. Since then the Singers have earned international acclaim for their vast repertoire of African-American folk music, focusing on the rich genre known as Negro Spirituals as well as gospel, secular folk songs, calypsos and other African-Caribbean and African vocal forms. Their repertory also consists of concert works by distinguished African-American composers and arrangers along with Classical Opera, Sacred Music and Musical Theater. The 15 selections in "Best of Jubilee" draw on the best performances of one of the most honored choral ensembles. It's understandably hard to pick favorites, but the South African freedom song "Siyahamba'ekukhanuen'kwenkhos" (We are marching in the light of God), "Glory, Glory Hallelujah," "Open the Window, Noah," "Hallelujah! (Been Down Into The Sea)," "Oh, Mary Don't You Weep," "Oh Make Me Holy," "All My Trials," "Walk Together Children" and "Rocka My Soul" are particularly fine. Inspirational and moving songs, every one the best of the best!

Songlist: Siyahamba'ekukhanyet'kwenkhos, Dry Bones, Glory, Glory Hallelujah, Open The Window Noah, He's Got The Whole World In His Hands, Hallelujah! (Been Down Into The Sea), Sometimes I feel Like A Motherless Child, Oh Mary Don't You Weep, Jesus Lay Your Head in da Winder, The Word Was God, Oh Make Me Holy, All My Trials, Walk Together Children, John the Revelator, Rocka My Soul

Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers : Best of Jubilee Vol 2   

The 21 mixed-voice singers of Director Albert McNeil sing the powerful, emotion-packed spirituals that have been sung, recorded, rearranged and interpreted, and re-recorded for over 150 years. In these14 songs we have a mixture of the simplicity and complexity of arrangements by Moses Hogan, Jester Hairston, Lena McLinn and Albert McNeil, to the unique settings of young composers and arrangers like Stacey Gibbs, Richard Jackson and Augustus O. Hill. Undine Smith Moore's "Lord We Give Thanks to Thee" was written as a tribute to the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Fisk University's original Jubilee Singers. Hogan's "Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit," Hill's "Fix Me Jesus," McLinn's "Lit'le Lamb, Lit'le Lamb," Gibbs' "Somebody's Knockin' At Yo' Do'" and "See Dat Babe," McNeil's dynamic "John the Revelator" and Hairston's joyous "Wonderful Counselor" are particularly fine. Authentic, timeless music sung with passion and fire by one of the great Gospel ensembles!

Songlist: Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Fix me, Jesus, The Word Was God, I Will Arise And Go To Jesus, Lit'le Lamb, Lit'le Lamb, I Know I've Been Changed, Lord, We Give Thanks To Thee, Somebody's Knockin' On Yo' Do', This Little Light Of Mine, John, The Revelator, My Long White Robe, See Datee Babe, Lit'l Boy, Wonderful Counselor