Simon Estes brings his commanding bass-baritone voice to a program of traditional African-American spirituals on this Philips Digital Classics LP, accompanied by the Howard Roberts Chorale. Recorded in New York in 1984, the album includes powerful interpretations of such standards as “Go Down, Moses,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” and “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen.”

The performances were arranged, orchestrated, conducted and produced by Howard A. Roberts. The gatefold jacket also includes extensive historical liner notes by Paul Robeson Jr., adding considerable context to the spiritual tradition represented here.

Album Details

Artist: Simon Estes

Title: Spirituals

Label: Philips / Digital Classics

Catalog Number: 412 631-1

Country: Netherlands

Year: 1985

Genre: Spirituals / Gospel / Classical Vocal

Format: Stereo LP, Digital Recording, Gatefold

Choir: Howard Roberts Chorale

Conductor/Arranger: Howard A. Roberts

Condition

Vinyl: NM

Jacket: EX

A worthwhile Philips recording combining a major American classical bass-baritone with one of the foundational bodies of African-American sacred music. The Paul Robeson Jr. liner notes make the gatefold particularly interesting for listeners and collectors interested in the history of the spiritual.