I need a list of every artist(or almost every)artist who has recorded
the Shaker hymm Simple Gifts.

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Request for Question Clarification by revbrenda1st-ga on 11 Dec 2002 14:56 PST

Hi ginny

I don't think that you can get a complete list -- this song has been
around for 150 years. For at least (conservative estimate) 80 years,
there's been technology that would allow it to be recorded. The tune's
been used in a car (Oldsmobile) commercial, as a TV theme song
("American Journal"), by Michael Flatley in his 'Lords of the Dance'
production, as a hymn, as a song, etc. etc.
I could spend hours going site by site and finding you artists and
recordings in a wide variety of interpretations, but frankly, and
respectfully, I'd need a better monetary incentive. Also, I doubt I
could find EVERYone or even ALMOST everyone who has recorded what
Randy Folger says "... may be the perfect piece of music." I can
provide with you a history of the hymn and SOME of the more notable
recordings, but I don't think I could make a dent in what appears to
be a very large list. If I knew for what purpose you need such a list,
it would help me/us hone in more accurately on the best results for
you.

Respectfully,
revbrenda1st

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Clarification of Question by ginnyd-ga on 11 Dec 2002 15:50 PST

Thanks for the insight.  I had actually found a list online but now
can't find it again!  It wasn't everything . . . I really am just
looking for a simple folk version (with words)of it to use in a video
piece about pumpkins. Either male or female is ok - but am thinking
more about a deep male voice with guitar, etc.

Thanks.

Hi ginny,

According to David Crumm, this song was written by Shaker Elder Joseph
Bracket. He reports that " 'Simple Gifts' was a dancing song. The
Shakers called it a quick dance," Hall says. "There are words in the
song about bowing and bending and turning, and the Shakers actually
did that as they sang those words. The song was both an instruction
for dancing as well as an instruction for life."

150 Years of "Simple Gifts"
http://www.freep.com/fun/music/qshaker11.htm

Indeed, according to another website, "It's said that Elder Joseph
would sing and dance this song "with his coat tails flying"."

The Janus Museum
http://janusmuseum.org/

I've looked at dozens of websites and haven't found even a hint of a
deep-voiced, guitar playing male who has a recording of this tune. I
found some instrumental versions with some guitar work, but nothing
with vocals. I did find two baritone recordings.

You can listen to them from the above-mentioned site. One is performed
with no instrumentals by Joel Frederiksen with members of the Boston
Camerata, the Schola Cantorum of Boston, and the Shaker community of
Sabbathday Lake, Maine, conducted by Joel Cohen. It's on the CD
'Simple Gifts' and is available from:

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000005EDQ/thejanusmuseum/102-5742217-2876966

The other is sung by William Warfield, baritone, with the Columbia
Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Aaron Copland. I can't imagine Elder
Joseph's coat tails flying to this version, however. It's on a CD
called 'Copland Conducts Copland' and is available from:

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000026GG/thejanusmuseum/102-5742217-2876966

You can hear another version on the Dance on a Moonbeam website, sung
by mezzo-soprano, Frederica von Stade. It's not a toe-tapper, either,
but pumpkins aren't noted for speed, I guess.    :)

http://danceonamoonbeam.tripod.com/music.html
Ordering information can be found here:
http://danceonamoonbeam.tripod.com/buycd.html

"Former English National Opera principal, Lesley Garrett has become
one of Britain's biggest selling opera singers."  From this site you
can hear her singing a rather majestic version of 'Simple Gifts.' The
site itself is predominantly in Swedish, but it's clear enough for you
to download the song.

Vitaminic_the music evolution
http://stage.vitaminic.se/main/lesley_garrett 

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is well-noted for its excellence, and you
can hear its rendition of the song here:

http://www.telarc.com/gscripts/title.asp?gsku=0579

I hope one of these will meet your needs. I have always loved this
tune, but until you asked your question I had no idea of its name or
history. Thank you so much.

Regards,
revbrenda1st

The Kings' Singer's (UK) recently recorded an excellent version of
this.  I'm not sure of the album title, but I'm sure you can find it
at www.kingssingers.com