Review: There are 21 singers here, directed by founder Everett McCorvey's Kentucky-based American Spiritual Ensemble in the recording of this beautiful Christmas album, but the sound is so rich and full it seems like there must be more. Favorites among the 18 songs include standards like "Away In A Manger," "Little Drummer Boy," "Mary Had A Baby," "Christmas Medley" and "Ave Maria;" and less familiar tunes like "I Believe This Is Jesus," "Behold The Star," "Great Day," "Rockin' Jerusalem," the joyous "Here's A Pretty Little Baby," "The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy," "Siyahamba," "Prepare Me one Body" and "I Can Tell The World." There is some piano accompaniment. This album is a foot-tapping celebration from beginning to end, and to us that is what "The Spirit of the Holidays" is all about. Don't miss this one! 

Songlist: I Believe This is Jesus, Behold the Star, Away in a Manger, Little Drummer Boy, Mary had a Baby, Great Day, Ave Maria, I Can Tell the World, Christmas Medley, Rockin' Jerusalem, Here's a Pretty Little Baby, The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy & Mary's Little Boy Child, Siyahamba, Prepare Me One Body, Sister Mary Had-a But One Child, Round the Glory Manger, Sweet Little Jesus Boy, Over the Rainbow

Review: Director McCorvey has assembled a stellar group of 22 mixed voices, all soloists in their own right, to create his all-star touring ensemble. Favorites among these 15 live cuts, recorded on the group's 1998-2000 tours of Kentucky and Spain, include the live cut "Walk Together Children," the most dynamic arrangement of "The Battle of Jericho" we have heard, "Rock-A-My Soul," "Free At Last (From Big River)," "Amen," "Lord, How Come Me Here," "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired," "You Can Tell The World" and "Come Sunday." There is some piano and drum accompaniment, but mostly rich, powerful harmonies, soaring leads and great arrangements. Some of the best spirituals we have heard in a long time, from national musical treasure ASE!

Songlist: Walk Together Children, I've Been Buked, The Battle of Jericho, Hail Mary, Rock A My Soul, I'm Gonna Sing 'Till The Spirit Moves In My Heart, Old Time Religion/When The Saints, Free At Last (from Big River), Amen, Here's One, Lord, How Come Me Here, Lord I Have Seen, I Don't Feel No Ways Tired, You Can Tell The World, Come Sunday

Review: Founded by Everett McCorvey in 1995, the 32-strong, mixed-voice American Spiritual Ensemble has toured Italy, Germany, Britain, Scotland, Spain and Japan, and has sung in the Metropolitan Opera, NYC Opera and Houston Grand Opera, among many other venues. All the members are soloists in their own right, and the ensemble thrills audiences with their dynamic renditions of classic spirituals, jazz and Broadway selections. "Lily of the Valley" is a dynamic, generous collection of 19 spirituals, some favorites are "You Must Have That True Religion" (which segues into "Gimme That Old Time Religion"), "Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel," the title tune, "I Want To Be Ready," "Fix Me Jesus," "My Lord, What A Mourning," "Ride Up In The Chariot," "Scandalize My Name," "Done Found My Lost Sheep," "Watch and Pray" and "Come Down Angels." Some of these songs are new to us, others are old favorites, but all of them are stunningly powerful and lovely. There is some piano and light drum percussion. Don't miss this wonderful CD by one of the finest spiritual ensembles in the world!

Songlist: You Must Have That True Religion, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, The Lily of the Valley, I Want To Be Ready, Fix me, Jesus, Elijah Rock, Daniel, Daniel, the Servant of the Lord, My Lord, What a Mourning, I Thank You Jesus, Is There Anybody Here?, Ride Up In the Chariot, Ride On King Jesus, Done Found My Lost Sheep, My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord, Scandalize My Name, Watch and Pray, 'Roun' About de Mountain, Ride up in the Chariot, Come Down Angels

Review: The American Spiritual Ensemble has grown to 42 members for this memorable recording "The Spirituals." Two powerful pictures in the liner notes, depicting a slave couple at a mean cabin, dreaming of escaping their bondage, and then on the cover, striking out across a fog-shrouded field in the early morning, tell us the story of these 15 authentic songs. "Crossin' Ovah," "Follow The Drinking Gourd," "There Is A Balm in Gilead," "It's Me Oh Lord," "Guide My Feet," "Here's One," "Give Me Jesus," "I Want Jesus to Walk With Me" and "We Shall Overcome" speak of the tremendous struggle of African-Americans to gain their freedom and equality. The soulful leads and harmonies of these powerful coded songs actually helped some of the singers find their way out of bondage. Powerful, wonderful stuff from the American Spiritual Ensemble! Some piano accompaniment.

Songlist: Plenty Good Room, Crossin' Ovah, Follow The Drinking Gourd, Steal Away, There is a Balm in Gilead, Follow The Drinking Gourd, It's Me Oh Lord, Guide My Feet, Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Follow The Drinking Gourd, Here's One, Give Me Jesus, Follow The Drinking Gourd, I Want Jesus to Walk with Me, We Shall Overcome