Karle Erickson

Review: Another fine collection by prolific World Voices, whose mission is "celebrating global cultures and creating community through choral music." Renowned founder Dr. Erickson directs the 40-strong, mixed-voice ensemble in 22 selections from all over the world, favorites include folk tunes "Home on the Range," "The Blue Tail Fly" and "Old Black Joe" from the US, Native American songs "This We Know" and "In Dreams" by Ron Jeffers; the Welsh tune "Ffa La Ba Lam," the Irish "The Gartan Mother's Lullaby" and the Scotch song "I'll Ay Call In By Yon Town." Others are Kenya's "Ning Wendete," Ecuador's "Wawaki," Israel's "Bashana Haba'ah," Korea's "Ahrirang," Iceland's "Visur Vatnsenda-Rosu" and Sweden's "Domaredansen." Some light (authentic to the culture) accompaniment. A beautiful, varied collection from World Voices.

Songlist: Ffa La Ba Lam, The Garten Mother's Lullaby, I'll Ay Call In By Yon Town, Lasciatemi Morire, Chiu Chiu, Wake Up, Ning Wendete, O Mio Babbino Caro, Stomp Your Feet, Home On The Range, The Blue Tail Fly, Old Black Joe, This We Know, Wawaki, In Dreams, Veniki, Bashana Haba'ah, Simona MiDimona, Arirang, Tom Fiddler, Visur Vatnsenda-Rosu, Domaredansen

Review: Founder Karle Erickson directs his 40-strong, mixed-voice World Voices in this collection of 20 powerful songs. The songs are in 3 groups, 5 African-American Spirituals, especially "John Saw Duh Numbuh," "Wade in the Water" and "I've Been 'Buked;" 11 Eastern European tunes, especially "Quis Potest Dicere" by Zdenek Lukas, the lilting "Prsi, prsi," the lovely "Annie, My Sweetheart" and the dramatic "Tambur;" and four African songs, particularly Abraham Adzenyah's harmonic "Wonfa Nyem," Boniface Mganga's "Vamuvamba" and the rhythmic "Zungo." Some accompaniment and percussion, all authentic to the music. We enjoyed every cut of this collection!

Songlist: John Saw Duh Numbuh, Wade In The Water, He Never Failed Me Yet, I've Been Buked, Praise His Holy Name, Bizakodo, Quis Potest Dicere, Ave Verum Corpus, Cantate Domino, Prayer Of The Children, Prsi Prsi, Good Night Beloved, Martin's Homecoming, Annie, My Sweetheart, Za Tou Nasi Storolickou, Tambur, Wonfa Nyem, Vamuvamba, Zungo, Praise The Lord

Review: Your spirit will be lifted by this choral and instrumental blend of songs that celebrates the single divine spirit of God. Giving praise and thanks, expressing the joy of faith through the musical genres of classical, gospel and folk traditions found in the diverse cultures, languages and religions of the world.

Songlist: Our Father, Santo, Offer Unto God (Psalm 50), Sicut Cervus, Exultate Deo, Somebody's Prayin', Avinu Malkeinu, Wake Me Up, Lord, Goin' Up to Glory, Quis Potest Dicere, The Gift to be Simple, God of Peace and Love (Yarabba Ssalam), Salmo 150, Death is Gonna Lay His Cold Icy Hands, Cantate Domino, Regeneration (Part 3 of "Celestial Spring"), I've Been 'Buked, Webster (An American Thanksgiving), Heleluyan, Ya Ba Bom

Review: "Mosaic" is the premiere CD release by Dr. Erickson's talented, 40 mixed-voice World Voices, who seek to "enhance the awareness and deepen the meaning of the cultural, spiritual and religious roots of music from around the world" with their music. A noble purpose indeed, and these 20 songs, from the folk and religious traditions of Asia, Russia, Israel, the Nordic countries, the Caribbean and the United States, joyously fulfill it. Favorites include the Caribbean tunes "Congori Shango" Larry Farrow's wonderful "Jamaican Market Place," "La Paloma Se Fue" and the Cuban folk song "Tumbando Cana." The Russian folk tune "Veniki," the lovely Chinese tune "Pengyou, Ting!," the Nordic folk songs "A Maiden Is In A Ring" and "A Sailor's Greeting," the American spiritual "Goin' Up to Glory" and the Hebrew "Ya Ba Bom (There Shall Be Peace)" are particularly fine. An impressive debut CD by World Voices. Some light accompaniment.

Songlist: Congori Shango, Nigra Sum, Jamaican Market Place, La Paloma Se Fue, All My Trials, TumBando Cana, Our Father, Veniki, Arirang, Pengyou Ting, God's Son Has Made Me Free, Ave Maris Stella, A Maiden Is In A Ring, Tjuv Och Tjuv, A Sailor's Greeting, Somebody's Prayin', Goin' Up To Glory, Grace, Avinu Malkeinu, Ya Ba Boom