Derric Johnson

Review: Velvet: a rich fabric. The harmonies of Regeneration: sumptuous, angelic outpourings of rejoicing, of which velvet is a most fitting adjective. Carrying on in the mode established by the best-selling "Christmas In Velvet" volumes one and two, the fourteen traditionals and hymns contained here (ten of which were released a few years ago in a now out-of-print recording entitled"Pure Silk"), are inspiring not only because of their thematic content of praise, but because of the arranging of Derric Johnson, the group's director. To study a Derric Johnson arrangement is to contemplate the canon of a master. Key to his style is his seamless blending of classical choral and jazz idioms that are fresh, yet easy to assimilate. What could be more uplifting than the gloriously ascending intervals of "More Than Wonderful," ending in an epic high note? The serene and resonant "Holy Ground" is set against a backdrop of plush oohs and aahs. The countermelodic texture of "Just As I Am" is engaging but never excessive. The men and women of Regeneration (some of whom moonlight as Walt Disney World's "Voices of Liberty"), could not be more pristine in their performance. Their control, phrasing and interpretation is textbook perfect. All in all, "Hymns in Velvet" is an exercise of pure enjoyment.

Songlist: Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Jesus, Lover of my Soul, Just a Little Talk With Jesus, Spirit of God, I Must Tell Jesus, A Mighty Fortress, I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked, O Love That Will Not Let Me Go, Just As I Am, It Is Well With My Soul, Go Down Moses, Holy Ground, Jesus Is His Name, More Than Wonderful

Review: Derric Johnson is the director of the 'Voices Of Liberty,' the ten-voice ensemble that performs at Walt Disney World. This collection, featuring the Voices themselves, is as unabashedly and straightforwardly patriotic as it is possible to be, with songs such as 'This Land Is Your Land,' 'America, The Beautiful' and 'Battle Hymn Of The Republic' on the set list. The CD's opener, 'Golden Dream,' is the musical equivalent of a twelve-gun salute, if for nothing other than its finale, which climbs up the scale chromatically to dizzying heights. The challenging arrangements and the virtuosity of the performances - excellent across the board - are a complement to the sometimes grave lyrical content, which emphasizes all-American values with unmitigated confidence. Whatever one's opinions on that score, musically 'A Cappella Americana' is great.

Songlist: Golden Dream, Shenandoah, Railroad Medley, We, The People / America The Beautiful, The Star Spangled Banner, Songs Of The South (medley), This Land Is Your Land, Battle Hymn Of The Republic, Oh Susanna!, Black Is The Color of my True Love's Hair, The Penny / My Country 'tis of Thee

Review: Quite probably the busiest performing a cappella group in the country The Voices of Liberty are also one of the longest running professional a cappella groups as they perform several sets each and every day at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The group follows in an even longing-running tradition of Regeneration, as both are almost the same as they were both directed by, and perform almost exclusively the arrangements of, the great Derric Johnson. The sheet music we've all been waiting for, finally some of Derric Johnson's finest Christmas arrangements have been printed for us to sing! Included are 3 Volumes of 4 songs each from the namesake recordings.

Songlist: A Cappella Christmas Vol. 1, Away in a Manger, Gesu Bambino, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, O Holy Night, A Cappella Christmas Vol. 2, Deck the Halls, Go Where I Send Thee, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, Jingle Bells, A Cappella Christmas Vol. 3, Christmas In The Air, French Chorale of Praise, Pat-a-Pan, We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Review: Widely considered to one of today's top a cappella arrangers Derric Johnson is also one of our favorites. This songbook is a collection of 14 classic American folk songs as for arranged and performed by Derric Johnson's Liberty Voices and which can be heard on their CDs "A Cappella Americana" and "A Slice of A Cappella". To study a Derric Johnson arrangement is to contemplate the canon of a master. Key to his style is his seamless blending of classical choral and jazz idioms that are fresh, yet easy to assimilate. We highly recommend this songbook for most all choirs, ensembles and groups should have a least one Derric Johnson arrangement in their repertoire.

Songlist: America, The Beautiful, Love's Old Sweet Song, My Country 'Tis Of Thee, Oh! Susanna, Shenandoah, Simple Gifts, Skip To My Lou, The Star Spangled Banner, Swing Low, Taps, The Red White And Blue, We The People, Yankee Doodle, You Are My Sunshine