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Psalms from the Soul: Volume 2
Lent, Eastertide & Ordinary Time
Rawn Harbor, ValLimar Jansen, Frank Jansen, Val Parker
Twenty-eight gospel-style psalms and canticles with verbatim texts from the Lectionary divided into two volumes. This resource supplies common psalms and Gospel canticles for the entire liturgical year.
The first gospel-style psalmody collection
Introducing Psalms from the Soul, the first psalmody collection designed especially for African American parishes -- and all who love gospel music. Providing 28 gospel-style psalms and canticles with verbatim texts from the Lectionary, it features new music by some of todays best-known gospel composers.
Psalms and canticles for the entire liturgical year
Divided into two volumes, this highly anticipated resource supplies common psalms and Gospel canticles for the entire liturgical year: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost and Ordinary Time. Intended primarily for Sunday liturgies in parish settings, it also supports communal recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours.
Recorded with an authentic gospel choir
Recorded with an authentic gospel choir, the CDs reveal the full potential of this passionate music. The call-and-response between cantor, choir and assembly, infectious rhythms, and cantor embellishments all invite enthusiastic participation.
New music by four of todays best gospel composers
All the composers contributed new musical settings. A gifted pianist and composer, Rawn Harbor is one of the preeminent African American liturgists in the U.S. Long-time OCP composer Val Parker has two collections of piano improvisations. Both gifted musicians, ValLimar and Frank Jansen have two collections of spirituals and gospel-style music.
Original cover art by Ghana native Sami Bentil
Psalms from the Soul looks as good as it sounds. The songbooks and CDs feature Outdooring, a colorful original painting by Sami Bentil. A native of Ghana, he produces art that blends the history of that nation with his passionate vision of world peace. More information is available at samibentilart.com.
The entire congregation takes part by singing the response
After the first reading comes the responsorial Psalm, which, the Church tells us, is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and holds great liturgical and pastoral importance, because it fosters meditation on the word of God. The entire congregation takes part by singing the response (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Third Typical Edition).
An essentially Catholic approach to psalmody in true black gospel style
Psalms for the Soul provides an essentially Catholic approach to psalmody in true black gospel style. Written by gospel musicians for gospel musicians -- and all who love this spirited music -- these dynamic settings will help assemblies around the U.S. sing the response to Gods word with heartfelt zeal and authenticity.
This collection is a second volume of fifteen gospel-style responsorial psalms from the second half of the church year, Lent through Pentecost and Ordinary Time, designed especially for African American Catholic parishes....The two volumes include all of the Common Responsorial Psalms designated for seasonal use in the Catholic Lectionary for Mass. Fully supporting this liturgical use, the texts are verbatim psalm texts from the Lectionary.
In keeping with the broad range of expression in the psalms, the musical settings reflect a variety of styles and moods; yet all well within the broad genre of "gospel." The joyful Psalm 118 is energetic and syncopated, while the gut-wrenching lament of Psalm 22 is expressed in a slow-moving refrain full of melancholy. An unexpected surprise (and pleasure) is Psalm 23. Scored for SATB choir throughout with only percussion for accompaniment, the setting feels more African than African American, and would work well as a stand-alone anthem. Another unusual pairing is Psalm 100 with a slow 12/8 blues. The verse settings are equally varied, ranging from psalm-tone chants to recitative-like statements to songlike arrangements. In general, the congregational responses are simple and easily learned...
Psalms from the Soul is an intriguing mix of fixed liturgical texts paired with a highly improvisatory music style. All the arrangements work very well with just the printed music; nevertheless, the reviewer strongly recommends using the CD as a guide to what is not on the page. There is ample room for harmonic and melodic improvisation on the part of the keyboard player....
This collection is a welcome addition for any congregation that enjoys gospel music as well as singing the psalms.
—Eileen M. Johnson, The Hymn
