"I am SO happy that this has finally been re-released onto CD! I have known this album for the last 10 years, as a friend of ours gave us a copy, first on cassette tape, which we wore out, and then on CD. I have played it for just about anyone who will sit still long enough to listen, and I count it among my favorite recordings of all time! I have other classical gospel recordings by some of Ms. Quivar's colleagues, and while I also enjoy them, they simply are not in the same league as this recording!
Florence Quivar is, quite simply, perfect in this recording. She has the perfect mix of classical and traditional gospel technique, and performs every song on this album with an astonishing range of colors, ability and with so much feeling that I am moved every time I listen. I am a classical singer myself, and this album is a true inspiration to me. It is a document of what singing really can be about, a magical fusion of sound, word, emotion and soul! I can recommend this for both the classical and the gospel enthusiast, but know many people, who really are neither, who just recognize and respond to the powerful, emotional, fantastic singing in this album!"
Quivar- a wonderful interpreter of Spirituals
Emilia Alan | Pembroke Pines, FL | 09/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is a must buy for any audience, any age. Her voice is that of a gorgeous-full voice mezzo, her singing revives ordinary songs into lively, well interpreted spirituals. Highly recommed it."
Mary E. Johnston | Englewood, New Jersey | 12/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"She is especially amazing in "Sit Down, Servant" and "Honor" but she really sings every piece with great authority and sincerity befitting the idiom.
Her recordings with the Harlem Boys Choir are just wonderful to hear.
She has the perfect voice for these spirituals and never makes her voice the point, but rather the texts."
Tell me, are you a Christian?
Finnamon | New York, NY United States | 07/18/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not much to say except that Florence Quivar's recording of spirituals is the best of its kind that I have ever heard. Marian Anderson is her spiritual forebearer and she can never be matched. But she approached these very much as if they were art songs. It was the perfect approach at the time, and I still listen to her recordings of this repertoire with great respect, admiration, and reverence.
But Florence Quivar lives these songs in a completely different way. Never once does she reach for a showy effect, nor does she make insincere gestures. Other singers in this repertoire may occasionally reach the heights she attains here, but no one sustains it in the same way.
And it doesn't hurt (nor is it a surprise, given how she clearly loves this music) that she is in superb vocal estate here.
I close with a quote from a song Cher sang, "Walking in Memphis" that sums up how I feel about this recording:
"They said, tell me, are you a Christian, child? And I said, 'Man, I am tonight!'""