I recently became fascinated with the Shakers, a very interesting Christian sect that believed that excellent craftsmanship was one of the truest forms of devotion to God. Their furniture and buildings to this day are valued very highly and are considered impeccably and exquisitely crafted. This very close attention to detail and pride in quality also permeated the way they wrote and sang music as well. Given these attitudes, it is indeed unfortunate that now there are only 4 Shakers left in this world, and they are not taking new members.
The Shaker song "Simple Gifts", which always sends shivers down my spine when I hear it, was borrowed by Aaron Copland and is the tune you hear in the most famous part of "Appalachian Spring." It is a majestic and soaring tune that is a evocative as is it is inspiring.
So knowing all this, I got this CD called "The Shakers of Sabbathday Lake" (Sabbathday Lake is the home of the last remaining Shakers), which is a disc of Shaker songs. It is a great CD with simple but moving songs that paint pictures of simpler times. It is peaceful and meditative, and perhaps best listened to when staring out at snow-lined streets.
I recommend it.
― Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 1 August 2007 16:29 (eighteen years ago)
I live in shaker heights! And yet I've never heard Shaker music. Weren't they supposed to take a vow of celibacy or something, which would explain their dwindling numbers.
― brownie, Wednesday, 1 August 2007 16:40 (eighteen years ago)
Yes, they believed that people should not procreate. I believe it had to do with maintaining one's purity.
Since you're in Shaker Heights, you should visit the Shaker Museum: http://www.case.edu/affil/shakhist/one.htm
I'd like to go someday.
― Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 1 August 2007 16:53 (eighteen years ago)
that sounds really interesting!
The new Nedelle album uses an old (obviously!) Shaker chorus in one of the songs, which I believe is called "Friends and Ancestors" (or something like that) which you might really enjoy. I thought it was a pretty inventive thing to incorporate and apparently she shares your interest in Shaker music.
The record itself is really great also... I love Nedelle though! :-)
― Saxby D. Elder, Wednesday, 1 August 2007 17:59 (eighteen years ago)
Isn't Lord Of The Dance a shaker song, or am I mistaken?
― Matt #2, Wednesday, 1 August 2007 18:01 (eighteen years ago)
How old is the music? This is something I've been wondering, actually.
― QuantumNoise, Wednesday, 1 August 2007 18:13 (eighteen years ago)
It's 20th century rewrite of the Shaker tune, "Simple Gifts."
― Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 1 August 2007 18:15 (eighteen years ago)
Where can you get this Shaker disc, if you don't mind the implicit laziness of the question?
― Saxby D. Elder, Wednesday, 1 August 2007 20:15 (eighteen years ago)
I checked it out from my local library, but it's also on Amazon. I gave the wrong title-- it's actually called "Simple Gifts: Shaker Chants and Spirituals."
here it is: http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Gifts-Shaker-Chants-Spirituals/dp/B000005EDQ/ref=pd_bxgy_m_img_b/002-8774411-5515262?ie=UTF8&qid=1185993028&sr=8-3
and here's another one that looks good. http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Gifts-William-Coulter-Phillips/dp/B000005C2H/ref=pd_sim_m_1/002-8774411-5515262?ie=UTF8&qid=1185993028&sr=8-3
― Richard Wood Johnson, Wednesday, 1 August 2007 20:17 (eighteen years ago)
I made it out to the Shaker museum over the weekend. Damn, that is some nice fucking furniture. Someday when I'm rich, I'm gonna outfit my whole house with Shaker furniture.
― Richard Wood Johnson, Monday, 6 August 2007 18:16 (eighteen years ago)
thx for the links... Yeah the furniture is SWEET!
― Saxby D. Elder, Monday, 6 August 2007 19:12 (eighteen years ago)
i will check out the shakers. i've always been keen on the moravians:
http://www.moravianmusic.org/Recordings.php
― scott seward, Monday, 6 August 2007 19:18 (eighteen years ago)
I'm curious about 'underground music' from societies that believed music was evil.
― Richard Wood Johnson, Tuesday, 7 August 2007 16:03 (eighteen years ago)