“Free America! – Early Songs of Resistance and Rebellion” – Works by Jeremiah Ingalls, Andrew Law, William Billings, Otis Sawyer, Daniel Read, Sister Patsy Williamson, Thomas Commuck, Thomas Arne, Anonymous – The Boston Camerata/ Anne Azema – Harmonia mundi HMM 902628, 59:45 [Distr. by PIAS] ****:
It’s been a while since I’ve heard from the Boston Camerata, one of the finest early music groups in the world, and second to none when presenting Americana. Perhaps it is a little odd then that a French lady, Anne Azema, has taken over the group from the now retired and emeritus conductor Joel Cohen. But—one listen to this excellent disc, and all thoughts of country of origin are quickly forgotten, for Azema is not only an exceptional director, fully aware of the felicities of early American music, but a superb vocalist integrally involved with the ensemble. And what an ensemble! Aside from the normally brilliant instrumentalists, we have such luminaries as Joel Frederikson singing bass as well as playing guitar.
As you might gather from the title of the disc, this program treats the American enthusiasm in many forms. The disc is divided into sections reflecting differing aspects of this “resistance”: All Unite!, Gone for a Soldier, Repentance, The Rich Man, and A Land of Freedom. The smorgasbord of composers listed shows the obvious quality of the music, and every selection is imbued with a genuine and authentic spirit of the times reflected. There is nothing quite like the rich and diversified genuineness of the varied and grassroots grounded music of early America, and this is an excellent place to start. Sound is excellent, performances moving and beautiful.
Tracklist:
Friendly Union
The Cuba March – The New Union
Bunker Hill
Liberty Tree
Chester
Captain Robert Kidd
Jolly Soldier
Boston March
Saw you my Hero
David’s Lamentation
Johnny has Gone for a Soldier
Prince William’s March
Repentance
Thirst for Gold
My Body Rock ‘Long Fever
Didn’t my Lord Deliver Daniel
Sanctum Te
Pretty Home
Hebrew Children
False are the Men of High Degree
The Rich Man
The Jolly Sailor
The Appletree
Trumpet of Peace
March (Clamanda)
O Zion Arise
Free Americay!
Rise Columbia!
Yankee Doodle or The Lexington March
—Steven Ritter
