Finbar refers to
Sacred as “one chosen from the well of the intensely emotional.” He is absolutely correct.
This CD is filled with masterful choices in repertoire, perfectly arranged to showcase the particular talents of each Tenor. It includes magnificent, intricate harmonies, complex arrangements, lovely vocal ornamentations, all combining to create an experience to touch your very soul.
Sacred is a great cross-section of inspirational and religious music. It includes the secular as well as the denominational in its selections, from the humanitarian to the intensely religious. Its lyricists range from Biblical to folk, drawn from the ancient as well as the modern. It has crossed denominational boundaries to encompass all of humanity: uplifing and comforting all who will listen with an open heart. Sacred debuted in the Top 10 on Billboard's Classical Crossover Charts.
This CD was anticipated with great enthusiasm, and will not disappoint a single listener: there is something here for everyone. My particular favorites, though very difficult to choose, include Lord of the Dance, I’ll Walk with God, Be Thou My Vision, My Forever Friend; Deus Meus and Salve Regina are mystical and majestic, and there couldn’t be a better solo selection than Anthony’s lovely and heart-felt To Do Your Will.
John and Finbar offer great solo choices to round out the list on this incredible CD, which, in my humble opinion, contains nothing poorly done, nothing poorly chosen, nothing less than perfect. Order your copy and prepare yourself for a powerfully moving experience.
Below you will find explanations and links for the various selections.
The track list has officially been released. It is as follows:
Deus Meus, Trio
Be Thou My Vision, Trio
Morning Has Broken, Finbar
My Love, Trio
If I Can Help Somebody, Anthony
My Forever Friend, Trio
Shelter Me, John
Amazing Grace, Trio
To Do Your Will, Anthony
Hail Glorius Saint Patrick, Trio
How Deep the Father's Love, John
Lord of the Dance, Trio
There's No Cross, Finbar
I'll Walk with God, Trio
Salve Regina, Trio
This is a melody from an 18th century traditional Irish folk song "The Water is Wide," with lyrics from an old Scottish ballad. It is a wonderful song and a perfect choice for Anthony Kearns; it was suggested to him by John McDermott.
To Do Your Will
The Water is Wide Lyric and Midi
One of John's solos was written by Stuart Townend and was #1 on the evangelical hit parade world-wide in 2004. (Be patient as this link loads. You will hear the melody as you read the words.)
How Deep The Father's Love
Finbar offers us a Cat Stevens song, taken from an old Celtic hymn, with lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon.
Morning Has Broken
Deus Meus, is the 62nd Psalm. Here is a link to the history and lyrics:
Deus Meus,
it is the only location with the information that I can locate. With thanks to "Tenor Tours" webmaster for posting it.
Ancient Irish music and lyric translated in 1905 by Mary Elizabeth Byrne, the following song is wonderful!
Be Thou My Vision
Another ancient Irish melody with words added by Sister Agnes in 1920, this is a typically and traditionally Irish Catholic selection.
Hail Glorious St. Patrick
Anthony included a song which fans of his solo tours have been hoping to have recorded. It is a great gospel song which is has been featured in Anthony's Solo Repertoire index for years. It was popularized by Mahalia Jackson some years ago:
Contemporary Index (toward the bottom of the page).
Lyrics only:
If I Can Help Somebody
This piece was written by Sydney Carter and is a fabulous addition to The Irish Tenors' Repertoire! It is so magestic, so intricate, yes.......fabulous!
Lord of the Dance
This Stevie Wonder piece is also quite
wonderful, and having been recorded by many artists, it is highly recognizable. With a terrific humanitarian lyric and lush harmonies, it lends itself beautifully to the vocal quality and rich lyric interpretation of the Tenors.
My Love
I particularly love this one, and as mentioned above, you may listen to it by accessing the Razor and Tie link. Listen to the rich harmonies!
My Forever Friend (Scroll down the page to locate the lyric.)
Charlie Landsborough Website
Considering who wrote this song, as well as the fact that Mario Lanza sang it, it seems perfectly logical that The Irish Tenors, especially Anthony, would want to include this piece. Anthony regards Lanza highly and puts his own interpretation on much of Lanza's music. He has been frequently compared to Mr. Lanza, rightfully so! He has also included music by Brodszky in his solo concerts ("Because You're Mine," written with Sammy Cahn).
I'll Walk with God
This is a very interesting article regarding Mario Lanza's interpretation of this song.
Article
Salve Regina is a haunting Gregorian Chant which is done a cappella by The I.T. It is masterfully done.
Salve Regina
Amazing Grace has been recorded by The I.T. previously, but this is a fresh new arrangement and is perfectly lovely. (Fourth, fifth, and sixth stanzas are not well known and not recorded by The Tenors.)
Amazing Grace
There’s No Cross, Chuck Jones/Allen Shablin was previously recorded in 1997 by Finbar on “I Give You My Heart”
There's No Cross That Love Won't Bear
John's offering of
Shelter Me is a wonderful song which he recorded on one of his solo CDs "Great is Thy Faithfulness." It is written by Joe Beck, Bruce Carroll, and Billy Sprague.