Search - Custer LaRue, Baltimore Consort :: Amazing Grace

Custer LaRue as classical folk musician

M. J. Smith | Seattle, WA USA | 06/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album reminds me of Maddy Prior's album of West Gallery music; it does not remind me of the various current releases of early American religious music by choral groups. This is an album that will appeal to folk musicians with a love of the ballad. It also appeals to those interested in lute, bandora, stings etc.; their accompaniment to LaRue's voice is absolutely inspired.Contents as it is not currently in the listing: Frozen Heart; Wondrous Love; Come Brothers and Sisters; Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal; Death, 'tis a Melancholy Day; Female Convict; Down in the Garden; Hark, My Soul; The Little Family; Wedlock; Old-Fashioned Bible; Cross of Christ; Heavenly Coronation; Hold On; Good Old Way; Come Friends and Relations; Poor Wayfaring Stanger; Amazing Grace.Especially interesting are the pieces that moved into the Black Gospel repetoire e.g. Hold On and Good Old Way. An absolutely lovely cd with no missteps."

Custer LaRue is my all-time favorite

NotATameLion | Michigan | 08/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As I have said before (and will no doubt say again), one cannot go wrong in purchasing an album on the Dorian label. This disc is further justification for me calling them my favorite record label. Brian Levine and all the folks at Dorian deserve a big thanks from every true lover of music.In spite of what I said about Claire Gignac in my review of "Les Chants d'Eros," Custer LaRue is still my favorite female singer. "Amazing Grace" makes my admiration for her even greater than it was before. She is truly great here. The songs themselves are wonderful material. A few of them are still common repertoire in some church settings. Most of the songs have become obscure over the years--only finding resurrection in LaRue's performance.My favorite songs here are "Wondrous Love," "Hold On," and the title track. It is a sign of a great album that is so hard to choose a favorite on "Amazing Grace."I love the early instruments used in this recording. It puts a new interpretive spin on the songs. The Baltimore Consort are a dazzling collection of artists who are each outstanding players in their own right--the real miracle is how they play so seamlessly together. I look forward to more music from this great ensemble.In the meantime, I give "Amazing Grace" a full-fledged recommendation."

Awesome voice

NotATameLion | 08/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Custer Larue has a wonderfully light, pure soprano that is well augmented by the various early instruments of the Baltimore Consort, and her unaccompanied rendition of "Amazing Grace" gives me goosebumps! The selections are not "preachy" religion and therefore very listenable. LaRue reminds me of the early Joan Baez; no, she is even better. Heard a selection from this recording on NPR, bought the CD and now want to own everything she ever recorded! A very special, talented group of musicians and Custer LaRue's voice is unforgettable."