Here are a pair of releases from two completely different parts of the world, but both express the spiritual yearnings of a human race looking for meaning in this fallen world.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member John McEuen puts together an ensemble featuring the rich and earthy voice of Martha Redbone in this collection of musical interpretations of the writings of William Blake, an 18th Century romantic naturalist. The music and writings meld gospel and Cumberland Gap styles of music with lyrics about battles between the spiritual and physical realm. Leaning a bit towards pantheism which was a big trend back then the songs like “I Heard an Angel Singing” and “The Garden of Love.” Redbone’s voice is earnest and filled with red clay as she yearns like a woman delivering a testimony at a local rural church on “How Sweet I Roamed.” A taste of Americana via Great Britain!
The choir and dance ensemble Zedashe mixes vocals and Eastern European instrumentation for 25 short but sweet songs that range from folk tunes to Orthodox Christian liturgy. The melding of voices on the liturgical pieces such as “Ghirs Ars Cheshmaritad” is timeless and eternal, while the folk material such as the “Rachian Dance Melody” is as festive as a church picnic. This is music that will transport you to another time and place, not a bad thing indeed!