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Besides collecting and performing numerous American folk songs, John Jacob Niles also wrote songs in the same folk-like idioms. Many of his songs were based on fragments or snatches of melody that he collected, which he reworked into complete compositions, and he often used familiar texts. When he performed, he accompanied himself on various string instruments, but he also made arrangements for piano. The songs Niles collected and composed have long been the staple of classical vocal recitalists, but the listener may experience a slight cultural/aesthetic disconnect when hearing music that was conceived for untrained voices performed by singers steeped in the European bel canto tradition. For the listener with an interest in the American folk tradition for whom this is not an issue, this collection of Niles' songs should hold strong interest. Soprano Hope Koehler and pianist James Douglass have gathered an eclectic selection of 18 of Niles' works, including some of his best known ("I Wonder As I Wander," "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair," and Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head") as well as some that are more obscure. Koehler sings simply and expressively, and has a sweet voice, but with a little more vibrato than is ideal for this repertoire. The sound is nicely present, but the volume level is very high and requires some adjustment to keep it from being overwhelming.
© TiVo
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The Lass from the Low Countree (John Jacob Niles)
Traditional, Lyricist, MainArtist - John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
Go 'way from my Window
John Jacob Niles, Lyricist, MainArtist - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
Black is the color (John Jacob Niles)
Traditional, Lyricist, MainArtist - John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
The Wild Rider (John Jacob Niles)
Anonymous, Lyricist, MainArtist - John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
The Black Dress (John Jacob Niles)
Traditional, Lyricist, MainArtist - John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
Ribbon Bow (John Jacob Niles)
Traditional, Lyricist, MainArtist - John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
Unused I Am to Lovers (John Jacob Niles)
Anonymous, Lyricist, MainArtist - John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
My Lover is a Farmer Lad (John Jacob Niles)
Anonymous, Lyricist, MainArtist - John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
Little Black Star (John Jacob Niles)
Anonymous, Lyricist, MainArtist - John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
The Gambler's Wife (John Jacob Niles)
John Jacob Niles, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
Carol of the Birds (John Jacob Niles)
John Jacob Niles, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head (John Jacob Niles)
Traditional, Lyricist, MainArtist - John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
I wonder as I wander (John Jacob Niles)
Traditional, Lyricist, MainArtist - John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
What Songs Were Sungs (John Jacob Niles)
John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist, MainArtist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
Sweet Little Jesus Boy (John Jacob Niles)
Anonymous, Lyricist, MainArtist - John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
Gambler, Don't You Lose Your Place (John Jacob Niles)
Anonymous, Lyricist, MainArtist - John Jacob Niles, Composer - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
The Robin and The Thorn (John Jacob Niles)
John Jacob Niles, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
When I Get Up Into Heaven (John Jacob Niles)
John Jacob Niles, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - JAMES DOUGLASS, Artist - Hope Koehler, Artist
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
Album review
Besides collecting and performing numerous American folk songs, John Jacob Niles also wrote songs in the same folk-like idioms. Many of his songs were based on fragments or snatches of melody that he collected, which he reworked into complete compositions, and he often used familiar texts. When he performed, he accompanied himself on various string instruments, but he also made arrangements for piano. The songs Niles collected and composed have long been the staple of classical vocal recitalists, but the listener may experience a slight cultural/aesthetic disconnect when hearing music that was conceived for untrained voices performed by singers steeped in the European bel canto tradition. For the listener with an interest in the American folk tradition for whom this is not an issue, this collection of Niles' songs should hold strong interest. Soprano Hope Koehler and pianist James Douglass have gathered an eclectic selection of 18 of Niles' works, including some of his best known ("I Wonder As I Wander," "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair," and Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head") as well as some that are more obscure. Koehler sings simply and expressively, and has a sweet voice, but with a little more vibrato than is ideal for this repertoire. The sound is nicely present, but the volume level is very high and requires some adjustment to keep it from being overwhelming.
© TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 18 track(s)
- Total length: 00:51:46
- Main artists: Traditional John Jacob Niles Anonyme Hope Koehler JAMES DOUGLASS
- Composer: John Jacob Niles
- Label: Albany
- Genre: Classical Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred)
(C) 2008 Albany (P) 2008 Albany
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