OURO EM PÓ seria o título mais adequado para esta postagem.
O quinteto vocal branco GLAD é assombroso. Trata-se de mais um grupo à capella que se dedicava exclusivamente à música sacra,
mas, tal como o Take Six, não resistiu às exigências do mercado e acabou gravando música "pagã" - e logo de quem: GEORGE GERSHWIN com o auxilio luxuoso de....GENE PUERLING. Precisa dizer mais alguma coisa ou basta ? Dos membros originais só restou o fundador Ed Nalle: os demais foram substituidos. Tal como o Take Six, por serem
excelentes e experientes instrumentistas, também aderiram ao acompanhamento de instrumentos. Tenho mais 4 albuns do Glad para postar, mas resolvi começar logo pelo mais importante de todos, como vocês vão poder conferir.
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GLAD formed on the campus of West Chester State University of Pennsylvania when singer Ed Nalle auditioned for a new Christian band. Nalle would write and produce much of GLAD's early material in addition to his role as lead vocalist. The other members (from Temple University in Philadelphia) were Bob Kauflin (keyboards, vocals), T. Coble (bass, vocals), John Bolles (guitar, vocals), and Brad Curry (drums). The group's name was chosen from a poll taken at a shopping mall. Playing over 200 dates annually at college campuses, churches and concert halls throughout the United States, GLAD released their first two albums on Myrrh Records in 1978 and 1980. GLAD, their debut album, was enthusiastically received by young Christian music lovers interested in a gospel message presented with artistry and conviction. "The Reason" (on Beyond a Star) was their first a cappella song, which they subsequently re-recorded for their 1988 watershed album, The Acapella Project. That album was released with some trepidation because there was no track record in the genre for the Christian market, but it proved tremendously popular (selling over 400,000 copies[1]), and received a Dove Award nomination and a Billboard Critic's Choice Award Since that time, GLAD has alternated band and a cappella recordings and increased their admirers, evidenced by new groups that are obviously influenced by the group's elaborate,
multilayered sound. GLAD made a bold venture into the mainstream with their 1995 release, A Cappella Gershwin (featuring some arrangements by the legendary GENE PUERLING), which set the a cappella world buzzing and helped introduce their music to a wider audience. The Charleston Gazette wrote, "GLAD has long been Christian pop music's most sophisticated ensemble... The singing,
built around Ed Nalle's uncanny high tenor, has the elegance and sophistication the source material demands." The group's musical talent, polish, and uplifting message has been a dynamic ministry for over thirty years, twenty recordings, and thousands of concerts; additionally, since 1985 they have helped to secure sponsors for thousands of needy children in Third World nations through Compassion International and trips to countries such as Haiti, Mexico, Ecuador, Kenya, Brazil and Indonesia. GLAD's current lineup includes Nalle and longtime members Chris Davis (a musician with a strong background in classical and electric guitar, plus session work in the Northwest) and John Gates (an experienced studio percussionist who backed Gladys Knight & the Pips, Frankie and the Knockouts, and others), plus alternating keyboardists Paul Langford and Don Pardoe. Kauflin and Don Hart are the group's primary a cappella arrangers. Recently, the group has released recordings inspired by the writings of John Piper and the worship music of Sovereign Grace Ministries (formerly PDI). With over 1.5 million albums sold, GLAD is one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian pop/rock and a cappella music.
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ALBUM COMMENTS
A Cappella Gershwin,” a modern tribute to the craft and enduring musical genius of George and Ira Gershwin, aims for the heart. The album celebrates the centennial of Ira Gershwin’s birthday; George was born two years later. In contrast to the vulgarity of much of today’s popular music, lead vocalist, Ed Nalle, believes “A Cappella Gershwin” reinforces what is great about American music and art. “Some of the most popular artists in the U.S. are communicating about violence, extra-marital sex, and rebellion against all authority. Against that backdrop, we have chosen to make a recording of great American music written by a prolific composer whose songs comprise much of the musical vernacular of the twentieth century. Sophisticated harmonies, strong melodies, and clever lyrics are hall marks of Gershwin and the essence of this recording.” The tunes cover the gamut of Gershwin themes, from the clever and witty “They All Laughed” to the yearning and romantic
“The Girl I Love”, in which Nalle’s tenor voice sends arrows straight to the heart. A dozen tunes are performed including
GLAD’s “Gershwin Overture”, a tour de force medley of six everlasting Gershwin classics incorporatinga cappella treatments
of “Rhapsody in Blue” and “An American in Paris”. There’s much more, from the jaunty “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” to a dazzling performance of “Someone To Watch Over Me,” with harmonies and invention rich enough to put mere mechanical musical instruments to shame.
“I think that if you select great music to perform, then that performance should be in service to the composer,” said Ed.
“It’s an honor for us to perform this music and we wanted to do it as well as humanly possible.”
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MINHA OPINIÃO: Vou entrar aqui apenas como o "espírito-de-porco", o "advogado-do-diabo": sabemos que o excelente sexteto brasileiro BR-6 gravou um elogiadíssimo album com músicas de Gershwin e Tom Jobim. Vou ver se já posso disponibilizá-lo, para que tenhamos um parâmetro...(não sei se a idéia é boa ou ruim mas...vai valer a pena comparar.)
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GLAD: A CAPELLA GERSHWIN
GLAD IS:
Ed Nalle
Chris Davis
John Gates
Paul Langford
Don Pardoe
Arrangements: Gene Puerling, David Maddux, Don Hart, and the group's own Paul Langford.
TRACKS/FAIXAS:
I Got Rhythm
Girl I Love (The)
Our Love Is Here to Stay
Embraceable You
Gershwin Medley (The)
They All Laughed
Foggy Day (A)
Little Jazz Bird
They Can’t Take That Away From Me
Someone To Watch Over Me
DOWNLOAD :
AQUI
