Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

There is much to enjoy on this release from the Phoenix Chorale of Arizona, USA. All 28 members are professional musicians and the Artistic Director since 2019, Christopher Gabbitas, has an accomplished CV from his time as a boy chorister at Rochester Cathedral though to 14 years as a King's Singer and he seems to be a good fit at Phoenix on the basis of the splendid a cappella singing on this collection. 'Promised Land', released in 2026 to celebrate the foundation of USA, surveys two and a half centuries of American choral music, from African American spirituals and Shaker hymns to contemporary works by Eric Whitacre, Caroline Shaw and Frank Ticheli. Given the creativity of the American people over this timespan we get a varied programme that generally avoids the more obvious choices. So while the Shaker eldress Hannah Cohoon is represented we do not hear the most famous of Shaker melodies that in the UK has been associated with Sidney Carter's "Lord Of The Dance" and in the US as part of Aaron Copeland's 'Appalachian Spring'. We go back to the roots of American music, if you will pardon the pun, with a work song, "Great God Almighty" in an arrangement by Stacey V Gibbs. There are several African-American and Traditional Spirituals and one of my personal favourites, "Shenandoah" in a sparkling arrangement by James Erb that breathes fresh life into what can sometimes become rather plodding. The Southern Harmony and Sacred Harp traditions are not overlooked with Stephen Paulus's arrangement of "The Road Home" being a standout. Some of the songs would sit comfortably in most Christian services across the traditions: William Walker's setting of Charles Wesley's "Hallelujah" in an arrangement by Shawn Kirchner being an example. Other songs may have been relegated to children's services and school assemblies and are here brought back to our attention: "This Little Light Of Mine", for example. And some songs would give many choirs an opportunity to shine, JK Atwood's "Unclouded Day" being one I would like to sing myself. So there is, as I have said, much to appreciate here: 19 interesting songs across a variety of styles all well arranged and beautifully sung. Happy birthday America!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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