Little Boy (Negro Spiritual) / Roland Hayes

[vocesongbird]

@ropeburne99 actually, the original Negro Spirtituals had a strong English base in terms of sound. they were probably sung in more operatic of a style than one would think because of that. The slaves originally from Africa were influenced by that music. It wasn't until later that the "sound" of the Negro spiritual came to be that we are most familiar with.

Have you heard Ms. Kathleen Battle sing spirituals??? Wow.

[wepopalot]

Beautiful voice... and nice technique.

[vulcanlyre]

@wepopalot You are very kind. Thanks for your comments. Randye

[ropeburne99]

I still wondering why "negro spirituals" are song so proper... i would imagine a lil moaning and groaning, like songs at church

[vulcanlyre]

@ropeburne99

It's my belief that it's because concert spirituals have taken on elements of art songs both musically and in performance practice. Simply put, there are things I would do--and have done--singing these songs in a service that would be deemed inappropriate in a concert environment. And I'm sure my voice teacher and I are going to have much to discuss about how closely I come to crossing that "line" when I give my next recital this Sunday (2/27/11).

[ropeburne99]

@vulcanlyre cool. your vocals are amazing... i just made the observation last night, that movies like Roots, Queen, etc always have the classical version of negro spirituals, when i know the slaves were not in the fields singing classical :) because thinking like slave for a moment, if you want a break through you gonna have to do some moaning a groaning, crying and hollar, just to make sure God hears the prayer in the song.

[scuttlebuttlodge]

Heavenly.

[alexmixk]

Is beautifull ,I love it.

[SteelFlower1]

Wow, you blew me AWAY! I have never heard that song before, now I will never forget it! Absolutely AMAZING VOCALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vulcanlyre]

Thank you very kindly. This setting is one of my favorites.

It also helps that I was working with a pianist who was very sensitive to my improvising. This is *so* important in singing Spirituals. Tim Newton was--and is--an extraordinary musician and collaborator.

[bh5606]

Like to hear more of her singing.

[mimicrush]

Love her voice.

[bishopgeoffrey]

I saw this last week sometime and fell in love with it! The next day I happen to see my voice teacher in the hall of one of the buildings at school, and I asked him about this piece and he said that he did. The next day I was rehearsing in a practice room and he came in with my other repertoire and on the top of it was Little Boy, and so because of this beautiful lady's singing I am honored to sing this piece this semester... I'm so excited!

[mrjohnleslie]

WOW

[tkguy30]

Nice voice!!!

[4Bunno]

Beautiful! I would like to learn this musical style.

[MarJupVen]

Absolutely stunning! You brought the song to life.