Paul Winter Consort & Friends – Everybody Under the Sun: Voices of Solstice, Vol. 1, The Singers – 2 CD – 72:00 / 77:00 – *****
Coming onto near 40 years now, the Paul Winter Consort has presented solstice concerts annually at the world’s largest cathedral, St. John the Divine, in New York City. Celebrating a “one world” concept with musicians from around the globe, Paul brings his ethereal soprano saxophone along with his consort, which has featured oboist Paul McCandless, cellist Eugene Friesen, and guitarist, Oscar Castro-Neves, all noted musicians.
To celebrate this extended period of solstice concerts, the Living Music label is releasing a 2 CD set of highlight vocals (a strictly instrumental set will be issued next year) from 22 guest singers from 13 distinct cultures, all who have shared the stage with the consort over the past 38 years.
Winter and his group have been artists-in residence at the Cathedral since 1980. In world tours Winter has met musicians, that although famous in their own countries, may be lesser well known to American audiences. The solstice concerts have introduced them to a New York audience anxious to appreciate their talents. The extraordinary set of vocals presented in this anthology share a common theme of acceptance, and joyous energy that both soothes the soul, as well as lightens the daily load of stress that we experience at the present time on the world stage. Though we may not understand all the languages being sung, the passion of the vocalists, backed by Winter’s consort, comes through loud and clear. I could also swear that I heard some church organ, as well, lifting the emotions.
Some of the singers will be known to many US listeners, such as Pete Seeger, Ivan Lins, Luciana Souza, and especially Procol Harum’s, Gary Brooker, but part of the fun is experiencing vocalists from Bulgaria, Armenia, Tibet, and Zimbabwe, and many others. An additional treat for gospel music lovers is being moved by Theresa Thomason on “Sound Over All Waters,” and “The Rain is Over and Gone,” as well as on “The Sparrow” from Kecia Lewis-Evans. Celtic fans will love hearing from Karan Casey doing “Golden Apples of the Sun,” and Niam Parsons on “Green Grass, It Grows Bonny.”
Some of the most striking moments are tracks that feature a cultural blending melting pot of partnerships such as Thomason and Lucky Moyo (from Zimbabwe) giving their take on the chestnut, “You are My Sunshine,” and Renato Braz, from Brazil, along with the Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble from Russia on “Angola.” Pokrovsky seems to be a favorite of the consort as his ensemble is featured on four of the 30 tracks. They show that they can tear it up on “Kurski Funk,” which starts off the anthology, whetting the appetite for what is to come.
There are many emotional moments that deeply move, such as two versions of “In My Life” to honor John Lennon, who was murdered ten days before the Winter Solstice concert in 1980, just blocks from the Cathedral. The first is from Susan Osborn, and the second from Gary Brooker (of Procol Harum fame). Both versions are spine tingling.
Personally, some of the tracks that were most memorable to me were indigenous music from cultures and countries that I was least familiar with, such as two numbers from Armenian Arto Tuncboyaciyan, and a riveting track, “Words of Wish Fulfillment” from Yangjiin Lamu, from Tibet.
To sweeten the pot for familiar good vibes, Winter includes Gary Brooker’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” and Pete Seeger’s iconic, “How Can I Keep from Singing?”
A constant throughout is the soaring soprano sax of Paul Winter. It raises any musical mix to a higher level of elation. Just the right amount of audience interaction is included, both in applause, and a sing-a long with Gordon Bok on “The Good Wish.”
The acoustics are sublime with the warm ambiance of the Cathedral just adding to the chills up-the- spine moments throughout this anthology. The only regret listeners will experience is the fact that they do not live near New York, with the chance to experience this mini-United Nations cultural bonding musical feast in person.
I highly recommend the purchase of this 2 CD set, both for yourself, and those you love. This is music we need more now than ever…
Tracklist:
Disc 1:
Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble – Kurski Funk (Russia)
Susan Osborn – In My Life (US)
>Kecia Lewis-Evans – The Sparrow (US)
Pete Seeger – How Can I Keep from Singing? (US)
Luciana Souza – Luiza (Brazil)
Ivan Lins – Lua Soberama (Brazil)
Karan Casey – Golden Apples of the Sun (Ireland)
John -Carlos Perea – Witchi Tai To (Apache)
Noirin Ni Riain – Fog on the Hill (Ireland)
Chris Berry – Nhemumusassa (US)
Maria Koleva – Bulgarian Song (Bulgaria)
Arto Tuncboyaciyan – Singing to the Mountain (Armenia)
Lucky Moyo – Zebra Song (Zimbabwe)
Theresa Thomason – Sound Over All Waters (US)
Gary Brooker – A Whiter Shade of Pale
Disc 2
Theresa Thomason and Lucky Moyo – You are My Sunshine (US & Zimbabwe)
Danny Rivera – El Belen (Puerto Rico)
Renato Braz & Dmitry Pokrovsky Ensemble – Desenredo (Brazil & Russia)
Niam Parsons – Green Grass, It Grows Bonny (Ireland)
Abdoulaye Diabate & Paul Winter Consort – Prayer, Suite Port Au Prince (Mali & US)
Fabiana Cozza – Sweet Memories (Brazil)
Arto Tuncboyaciyan – Before It’s Too Late (Armenia)
Yangjiin Lamu – Words of Wish Fulfillment (Tibet)
Susan Osborn – Mystery (US)
Renato Braz & Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble – Angola (Brazil & Russia)
Noirin Ni Riain – Christmas Day is Come (Ireland)
Gary Brooker – In My Life (England)
Gordon Bok – The Good Wish (US)
Theresa Thomason – The Rain is Over and Gone (US)
Paul Winter Consort & Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble – Minuit/Auld Lang Syne (US & Russia)
–Jeff Krow
