Catherine Roma

Review: Fifty Six-strong MUSE is a women's choir dedicated to musical excellence and social change. Believing that diversity is strength, they are feminist women of varied ages, races and ethnicities, with a range of life experiences, political interests and musical abilities. Heterosexual, lesbian and bisexual, these are women loving women united in song, seeking out pieces composed by women, songs that enhance women's voices, and a concert experience that entertains, inspires, motivates, heals and creates a spirit of community in their audience. Some of our favorites of these 20 songs were commissioned by MUSE, Holly Near's "Foolish Notion" and "I Ain't Afraid" (with the spot-on refrain about religious fundamentalism, "I ain't afraid of your praying, I'm afraid of what you do in the name of your god"), Therese Edell's "Emma," and Sweet Honey in the Rock's Beatrice Johnson Reagon's "Greed" (from "Anybody Here"). Other favorites are "Step By Step," "Three Walking Songs," Connie Kaldor's "Mother's Prayer," Jennifer Stasack's "Wage Peace," Daniel Galay's "Mayim Maya" and "Emily Remembers" by Shirley Eikhard. Also wonderful are George Gershwin's "S'Wonderful," Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean A Thing" and Ysaye Maria Barnwell's lovely a cappella "Wanting Memories." Extensive to light accompaniment on most songs. "Growing" is a powerful, thought-provoking, inspirational CD that touches us on many levels!

Songlist: Wanting Memories, Duerme Negrito, Foolish Notion, I Ain't Afraid, Imagine My Suprise, S'Wonderful, The Summer Day, Emma, Go Down Moses, Greed, Step By Step, Three Waulking Songs, Mother's Prayer, Wage Peace, Mayim Maya, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), Sayitshaya and Vulani Amasango, Song of the Exile, Emily Remembers, I Feel Like Going On

Review: This CD is a collection of live recordings of Balkan chants to Appalachian songs. Four songs come from the MUSE concert honoring people of Appalachian descent (Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Mountain Song/Kentucky Woman, Carry It On). "Take Heart," "Git On Board/The Gospel Train," "Yes,You" and "We'll Understand It Better By and By" come from several of their New Spirituals concerts which feature music from the African American tradition by contemporary arrangers and composers. This 2002 recording captures MUSE's diverse concert experience.

Songlist: Will the Circle Be Unbroken, We'll Understand it Better By and By, Take Heart, Her Song Rises, Mountain Song / Kentucky Woman, Carry It On, Annie, The New Underground Railroad, Vila Moma, Polegala, Git On Board, Yes, You, Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Review: These selections are as distinct as the members of MUSE. The traditional Zulu song "Babethandaza," "Let Us Now Hold Hands," by Jennifer E. Stasack and Pat Mora, and "La Andina - Woman of the Andes," by Libby Harding and "Mountain Songs" by Holly Near are among many which are sure to become favorites. This recording reflects MUSE's commitment to a diverse, exciting repertoire, musical excellence and social change.

Songlist: Babethandaza, Change of Heart, Miss Celie's Blues, We Are, Les Sirenes, On Children, Take Back the Guns, Shir Lashalom, Let Us Now Hold Hands, Seven Principles, A Small But Fateful Victory, Simply Love, Everything Possible, To Be Strong, Wade in the Watah