Performance Series
at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts
An Orchestra of Voices
MARCH 2, 2023
Additional Digital Material
CHANTICLEER
The Best Of . . .
Cortez Mitchell, Gerrod Pagenkopf*, Kory Reid, Bradley Sharpe, Logan Shields, Adam Ward – countertenor
Vineel Garisa Mahal*, Matthew Mazzola, Andy Van Allsburg – tenor Andy Berry*, Zachary Burgess, Matthew Knickman – baritone and bass
Tim Keeler – Music Director
Straight Street†
Dúlamán†
Shenandoah
The Chain
Summertime† from Porgy and Bess Cortez Mitchell, solo
Stormy Weather†
Both Sides Now†
Blue Skies†
Calling My Children Home†
Goin’ Home to God
I’ll Fly Away
Rock-a My Soul†
Somebody to Love†
J. W. Alexander (1916-1996) and Jesse Whitaker (1920-2006), arr. Joseph H. Jennings
Michael McGlynn (b. 1664)
Traditional American, arr. Marshall Bathowemew & James Erb
Fleetwood Mac, arr. Tim Keeler
George Gershwin (1898-1937), arr. Kirby Shaw
Harold Arlen (1905-1986), arr. Gene Puerling
Joni Mithell (b.1943), arr. Vince Peterson
Irving Berlin (1888-1989), arr. Jennings
Doyle Lawson (b.1944), Charles Waller (19352004), Robert Yates (1936-2015), arr. Joseph H Jennings
Traditional Spiritual, arr. Steve Barnett
Albert E. Brumley (1905-1977), Dean Webb (1937-2018), Mitch Jayne (1928,2010), arr. Tim Keeler
Traditional Spiritual, arr. Jennings
Commissioned by Chanticleer in 2011
Freddie Mercury (1946-1991), arr. Vince Peterson
†These pieces have been recorded by Chanticleer.
Texts and Translations
Well, I used to live up on Broadway Right next to a old liar’s house My number was self righteousness Had very little guide of mouth
So I moved, I had to move And I’m living on Straight Street now.
One day my heart got troubled
All about my dwelling place
I saw the Lord ‘round my settlement And He told me to leave that place
So I moved, I had to move And I’m living on Straight Street now.
Oh since I moved, I’m really living I got peace within.
I thank the Lord for ev’ry blessing
I’m glad I found new friends.
Before I moved over here
Let me tell you how it was with me
Old Satan had me bound up And I had no liberty
So I moved, I had to move And I’m living on Straight Street now.
*Andy Berry occupies The Eric Alatorre Chair given by Peggy Skornia Vineel Garisa Mahal occupies The Tenor Chair, given by an Anonymous Donor Gerrod Pagenkopf occupies The Ning G Mercer Chair for the Preservation of the Chanticleer Legacy, given by Ning and Stephen Mercer Straight Street – James Woodie Alexander and Jesse Whitaker, arr. Joseph Jennings Dúlamán – Michael McGlynnA níon mhín ó, sin anall na fir shúirí
A mháithairin mhín ó cuir na roithléan go dtí mé.
Refrain
Dúlamán na binne buí Gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige
Dúlamán na binne buí Gaelach
Rachaidh mé chun 'lúir leis a' dúlamán Gaelach, Ceannódh bróga daor' arsa dúlamán Gaelach.
Bróga breátha dubh' ar a' dúlamán Gaelach, Bearéad agus triús ar a' dúlamán Gaelach
A 'níon mhín ó, sin anall na fir shúirí
A mháithairin mhín ó cuir na roithléan go dtí mé
Tá ceann buí óir ar a' dúlamán Gaelach, Tá dhá chluais mhaol ar a' dúlamán Maorach
Oh gentle daughter, here come the wooing men, Oh gentle mother, put the wheels in motion for me.
Gaelic seaweed of the yellow peaks, Seaweed from the ocean, Gaelic seaweed of the yellow peaks.
I would go to Dore with the Gaelic seaweed “I would buy expensive shoes,” said the Gaelic seaweed.
The Gaelic seaweed has beautiful black shoes
The Gaelic seaweed has a beret and trousers
Oh gentle daughter, here come the wooing men, Oh gentle mother, put the wheels in motion for me
There is a yellow gold head on the Gaelic seaweed, There are two blunt ears on the Gaelic seaweed
Translation by Michael McGlynnShenandoah – Traditional American, arr. Marshall Bathowemew & James Erb
O Shenandoah, I long to see you And hear your rolling river,
O Shenandoah, I long to see you ‘way, we’re bound away
Across the wide Missouri
I long to see your smiling valley And hear your rolling river, I long to see your smiling valley ‘way, we’re bound away
Across the wide Missouri
‘Tis seven long years since last I see you
And hear your rolling river
‘Tis seven long years since last I see you ‘way, we’re bound away
Across the wide Missouri
O Shenandoah, I long to see you, And hear your rolling river
O Shenandoah, I long to see you, ‘way, we’re bound away
Across the wide Missouri
The Chain – Fleetwood Mac, arr. Tim Keeler
Listen to the wind blow, watch the sun rise Running in the shadows, damn your love, damn your lies
And if you don’t love me now
You will never love me again I can still hear you saying You would never break the chain
Listen to the wind blow, down comes the night Running in the shadows, damn your love, damn your lies
Break the silence, damn the dark, damn the light And if you don’t love me now
You will never love me again I can still hear you saying You would never break the chain
Summertime – George Gershwin, arr. Kirby Shaw
Summertime, and the livin’ is easy Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high Oh, your daddy’s rich and your mama’s good-lookin’ So hush, little baby, don't you cry
One of these mornin’s you’re gonna rise up singing then you’ll spread your wings and you’ll take to the sky But till that morning, there’s a nothin’ can harm you With daddy and mammy standin’ by
Text by DuBose Heyward (1885–1940)Stormy Weather - Harold Arlen, arr. Gene Puerling
There’s no sun up in the sky
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain’t together Keeps raining all the time
Life is bare
Gloom and misery everywhere
Stormy weather, Just can’t get my poor self together, I’m weary all the time, so weary all the time
When he went away the blues walked in and met me, if he stays away ol’ rocking chair will get me, All I do is pray the Lord above will let me walk in the sun again
Can’t go on, Everything I had is gone Stormy weather, Since my man and I ain’t together Keeps raining all the time.
text by Ted Koehler (1894–1973)Both SIdes Now - Joni Mitchell, arr. Vince Peterson
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air And feather canyons everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way But now they only block the sun They rain and they snow on everyone
So many things I would have done but clouds got in my way I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now, from up and down and still somehow it’s cloud illusions I recall I really don’t know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way that you feel, as ev’ry fairy tale comes real, I’ve looked at love that way But now it's just another show And you leave ‘em laughing when you go And if you care, don’t let them know Don’t give yourself away I’ve looked at love from both sides now, From give and take and still somehow, It’s love’s illusions that I recall I really don’t know love at all
Tears and fears and feelin’ proud, to say “I love you” right out loud, dreams and schemes and circus crowds, I’ve looked at life that way But now old friends are acting strange They shake their heads, they say I’ve changed somethin’s lost, and somethin’s gained in living every day.
I’ve looked at life from both sides now, from win and lose and still somehow it’s life’s illusions I recall. I really don’t know life, I really don’t know life at all.
Blue Skies - Irving Berlin, arr. Joseph H. Jennings
Blue skies smilin’ at me Nothin’ but blue skies do i see Bluebirds singing a song Nothin’ but bluebirds all day long Never saw the sun shining so bright Never saw things going oh so right Noticing the days hurrying by When you're in love, my how they fly Blue days, all of them gone Nothing but blue skies from now on
Text by Irving BerlinCalling My Children Home – Doyle Lawson, Charles Waller, Robert Yates, arr. Joseph H. Jennings
Those lives were mine to love and cherish, To guard and guide along life’s way Oh, God forbid that one should perish, that one alas should go astray
Back in the years with all together, around the place we’d romp and play So lonely now, I often wonder, oh, will they come back home someday?
I’m lonesome for my precious children, they live so far away. Oh, may they hear my calling, and come back home someday.
I gave my all for my dear children, their problems still with love I share. I’d brave life’s storms, defy the tempest, to bring them home from anywhere.
I lived my life, my love I gave them, to guide them through this world of strife. I hope and pray we’ll live together, in that great glad hereafter life.
I’m lonesome for my precious children, they live so far away. Oh, may they hear my calling, and come back home someday.
Goin' Home to God – Traditional Spiritual, arr. Steve Barnett
Soon I will be done with the troubles of the world, Goin’ home to God
I want to meet my mother, I want to meet my father, I want to meet my sisters and brothers, Goin’ home to God
Soon I will be done
I want to see my Jesus, I want to see my Jesus, I want to see my Jesus, Goin’ home to God
Soon I will be done
No more weepin’ and a-wailin’
No more weepin’ and a-wailin’
No more weepin’ and a-wailin’ Goin’ home to God
Soon I will be done
I'll Fly Away - Albert E. Brumley, Dean Webb, Mitch Jayne, arr. Tim Keeler
Some glad morning when this life is o’er
I'll fly away
To a home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away
I'll fly away, oh, Glory I'll fly away
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by I'll fly away
Just a few more weary days and then I'll fly away
To a land where joy shall never end I'll fly away
I'll fly away, oh, Glory
Rock-a My Soul - Traditional Spiritual, arr. Joseph H. Jennings
Rock a my soul in the bosom of Abraham, Rock a my soul in the bosom of Abraham, Rock a my soul in the bosom of Abraham, Oh, rock a my soul!
My soul is glad, From sin set free, I’m going home to live with Thee!
Rock a my soul…
I may be weak, But Thou are strong, I’m leaning on His mighty arm!
Rock a my soul…
Somebody To Love - Freddie Mercury, arr. Vince Peterson
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Each morning I get up, I die a little, Can’t barely stand on my feet Take a look in the mirror and cry, Lord what you’re doing to me I’ve spent all of my years believing you, But I just can’t get no relief, Lord! Can anybody find me somebody to love?
I work hard every day of my life! I work till I ache my bones! At the end of the day, I take home my hard earned pay all on my own I get down on my knees and I start to pray, And the tears run down from my eyes, Oh! Somebody find me somebody to love!
Everyday! I try and I try and I try, But everyone wants to put me down, They say I’m goin’ crazy They say I’ve got water in my brain, Got no common sense, I got nobody left to believe
Got no feel, I got no rhythm, I just keep losing my beat I’m OK, I’m alright, Ain’t gonna face no defeat I just gotta get out of this prison cell, One day I’m gonna be free, Lord!
Find me somebody to love, Can anybody find me somebody to love?