The Gospel at Colonus [Original Cast]

by Shows-g

Overview

Playwright Lee Breuer and composer Bob Telson had an idea: Retell the story of Oedipus using a gospel choir and soloists as the storytellers. The result was The Gospel at Colonus, which had a very successful theatrical run and produced the extraordinarily beautiful song suite presented here. Telson made the inspired decision to allow much of the weight of the enterprise to be borne by the enormous talents of Clarence Fountain & the Five Blind Boys of Alabama and the J.D. Steele Singers, featuring the absolutely incredible voice of Jevetta Steele (who would have a bit of a hit with the title song from the film Calling You). Some of the songs are priceless: "Stop Do Not Go On," with its heartfelt vocal urgings from Sam Butler, is a showstopper of its own, but it's followed by "How Shall I See You Through My Tears," a devastating number with Steele singing in a voice possessed of positively unearthly beauty. Intriguingly, not only can Breuer's lyrics be read as either traditional gospel text or pertaining to the story of Oedipus, but they can also often be heard as love songs from the R&B tradition. There's not a weak song on the record. Telson, a one-time member of the Philip Glass Ensemble and an associate of numerous jazz musicians (Lenny Pickett and John Hagen are in the ensemble here, for instance), successfully sublimates these influences and manages to create a remarkably authentic pop-gospel hybrid by entrusting the interpretation of his pieces to the artists who deeply know the genre. When the entire cast converges for the penultimate "Lift Him Up," the effect is nothing short of electrifying. Highly recommended not only for fans of gospel music but also for anyone interested in the diverse directions of contemporary music in general. ~ Brian Olewnick

Product Details

Release Date:	07/27/2018
Label:	Nonesuch
UPC:	0075597919127

Tracks

1. Live Where You Can
2. Fair Colonus
3. Stop Do Not Go On
4. Who Is This Man
5. How Shall I See You Through My Tears
6. A Voice Foretold
7. Never Drive You Away
8. Numberless Are the World's Wonders
9. Lift Me Up (Like a Dove)
10. Sunlight of No Light
11. Eternal Sleep
12. Lift Him Up
13. Now Let the Weeping Cease

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Five Blind Boys of Alabama   Guest Artist,Vocals
J.D. Steele Singers   Guest Artist
Institutional Radio Choir Of The Church Of God In Christ   Guest Artist
The Original Soul Stirrers   Guest Artist,Vocals
Bob Telson   Synthesizer,Piano,Vocals
Bob Malach   Sax (Alto)
Institutional Radio Choir   Vocals
Hugh McCracken   Harmonica,Slide Guitar
Sam Butler   Guitar,Vocals
Beverly Graham   Vocals
Morgan Freeman   Vocals
Zev Katz   Bass
George Cooper   Vocals
Daniel Lazerus   Vocals
Lincoln Schleifer   Bass
David Hewitt   Vocals
Little Village   Vocals
Jevetta Steele   Vocals
Gary Katz   Vocals
Willie Rogers   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Leroy Clouden   Drums
Donald Ballard   Vocals
J.J. Farley   Vocals
Jearlyn Steele Battle   Vocals
J.D. Steele   Director
Ezekiel Tobby   Vocals
Denise Martin   Vocals
Isabell Monk   Vocals
Carolyn Johnson-White   Vocals
Chris Royal   Trumpet
Mary Hunt   Vocals
Lee Breuer   Director
Butch Heyward   Organ
Linda Wilkerson   Vocals
Vincent Haddock, Jr.   Vocals
Zack Kelly   Vocals
Mary Fiser   Vocals
Joyce Taylor   Vocals
Ben Odom   Vocals (Background),Vocals
Keith Doars   Vocals
Mark Johnson   Trombone
Bobby Butler   Vocals
Clarence Fountain   Vocals
Donald Fagen   Vocals
Joe Watson   Vocals
Betty Cooper   Vocals
J.T. Clinkscales   Vocals
Monique Williams   Vocals
Janet C. Napper   Vocals
Deborah C. Brett   Vocals
Jackie Banks   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Martin Jacox   Vocals
Angie Haddock   Vocals
Joan Faye Wright   Vocals
Walter Dixon   Vocals
Terrence Moore   Vocals
John Hagen   Sax (Alto),Sax (Baritone)

Technical Credits

Bob Telson   Producer,Composer
Billy Funk   Composer
Daniel Lazerus   Engineer,Producer
David Hewitt   Engineer,Sound Design
Gary Katz   Producer
Lee Breuer   Composer
Tom Caravaglia   Photography
Michael David   Executive Producer
Donald Fagen   Producer
Sherman Warner   Sound Design,Executive Producer
Doug Johnson   Artwork