"Shenandoah" (arr. Hewitt-Jones) by VOCES8, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer

[@richardtodd7295]

I reached WAY back for this one. This was recorded in 2016. From left to right, the second soprano, that did the beautiful solo at the beginning, is Emily Dickens. She sang second soprano with Voces 8 from 2009 to 2017. I have another video in mind that features her which I will be sure to request soon. Andria Haines was the 1st soprano doing the high parts, and is still singing, so beautifully with Voces 8. Blake Morgan, first tenor, first sang with Voces 8 in 2016, and continues singing and arranging and composing to the present. Barnaby Smith sings counter tenor, second alto, and is the music director and conductor. On the right end is Jonathan Pacey who sings bass, and was with the group from 2015 to 2022. Jeff, when you heard Carrick Fergus and commented on the low bass, that was the work of Jonathan Pacey. Voces 8 frequently performs arrangements by Hewitt-Jones. For those of you not familiar, this song is not about the Shenandoah River. It is about a love lost. Wikipedia is my source for the history of Voces 8, and also provides a good explanation of the song.

[@erik1836]

Always loved this song. So many exquisitely beautiful works like this that are worth listening to time and time again that one even forgets one has forgotten. Thanks for pulling this one out if the closet for us, Richard!

[@rbmelk7083]

Loved this! Thank you, Richard!

[@jbach4311]

Chills! They have Visible Mics this time.

[@davidlevine1697]

like i have commented on before when viewing your posts, i love the diversity and being introduced to new music. tyvm for not pidgeon holing your reactions to just one genre. ☮❤🙏

[@laurat63]

Beautiful, i think you might like Voctave singing On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, its beautiful too x

[@sarahmgeorges]

I was waiting for that D flat at the end, wondering if he was going up or down…😂 so, I guess we’re going to Abbey Road next? 🤔😉😁

[@StrateleStudios]

Yes we are!!!

[@paulmarshall6736]

You obviously like to listen to choirs, and seem to be knowledgeable on it. You should try listening to the Danish girls choirs. They do fantastic renditions of: Blackbird Lux aurumque Magnum mysterium Nunc Dimittis. They also have junior choirs and children's choirs. You will be amazed at the quality of their sound. The Sanish folk group, Dreamers Circus often accompanies them, so if you find one of the younger choirs w the dreamers circus, you will be good. In Danish pigekoret is girls choir Juniorkoret is of course junior's Bornekoret is children's. They are well worth the listen to.

[@erik1836]

Imagine a huge rowdy crowd of hip hopsters gathered in some poorly lit venue filled with smoke that once filled young lungs enroute to their appointments with cancer; - gyrating, cavorting to the mindless cacophony of senseless iterations of profanity, female degradation allusions and denounciations of police officers - amongst the other mindless vagaries of repudiated, sacrosanct concepts, which they never underwood, never will that they hold in disdain that those who DO think - aren't allergic to the process - all know, love, hold hallow, near and dear? As they - are gathered to celebrate, exhibit without the chaos that, resides within them? And, out we trot this merry band of singers exemplary, heavenly and, they give voice in counterpoint to the caricature of "music" that? Hip hop music is always was, ever will be? What their reactions would be? Lol Once Upon a Time, many, many years ago, when I was in LA a young lad, perfectly sincerely and sweetly asked me, "Erik whose favorite rapper (substitute hip hopper)?" I replied in typical, Erik fashion - you've come to know and love. "Is there a difference?"