Korean Job Discussion Forums

[applesandshanana]

I'm not Christian, but I could listen to Sufjan Steven's Seven Swans album for days on end.

[Rteacher]

I've always liked "Day by Day" from Godspell, but this version I found via Google is more interesting than beautiful, I think...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIT9Zwspmpk

This version seems more beautiful but, perhaps, less interesting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WizOagQJKTg

[jg]

The Staples Singers are really good, and Mavis Staples is still recording - I'll be seeing her in concert soon. Her new album is top shelf, as usual. Their best stuff isn't always religious though, I like the political songs best. "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" as sung by Pops Staples always sends shivers down my spine, what a lovely and mournful song.

Upbeat post 70's gospel bores me, it's good to listen to in person but bands like the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Kirk Franklin, etc just aren't that fun to listen to on your mp3. Gospel and pop don't mix well: minus the raunch, desire, anguish, what have you, it just seems so uninspired, despite the obvious strength of faith.

[faster]

[kermo]

I used to have an album called "Georgian Hymns and Battle Songs"-- that's Georgia the former Soviet state, not American state. It's mostly choirs, with bone-rattling bass voices and amazing clashing harmonies. I wish I could link to it. It's quite unearthly and ancient music.
http://www.polyphony.ge/en/chpolyphony/history.php

Oh, right on! Here's a sample of a track that appeared on my album:

http://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Humanity-Rene-Eespere/dp/B000003ELQ
Click on "Listen" for
7. Shen Khar Venakhi - Ensemble Georgika

I also get chills when I hear "Huun-Huur-Tu," The Throat Singers of Tuva. They're Mongolians, and they generally sing about their horses, hence the name of their albums "Sixty Horses in My Herd" and "Where Young Grass Grows," but they also sing sacred Buddhist music that will knock your socks off.

[Rteacher]

Here's some "drunk guys singing Armenian Church music":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yN_gK1h9ak

[Big_Bird]

Jesus Christ Superstar (Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice)

I used to think this was cheesy, until I watched it properly one day. The singing is really heartfelt and passionate - I especially love the rock vocals of Jesus and Judas, but everyone else is great too. I love the way it's scored. This is probably one of my favourite musicals of all time. If you love 70s rock, this is wicked!

It's all bloody good, but I thought I'd supply a few of my favourite bits.. in no particular order and links to youtube:

1) This is really funky: Judas singing about how he is displeased with Jesus

2) Jesus getting into a rage 2 minutes into the clip. What a fabulous rock voice! The Temple/The Lepers

3) Jesus climbing a hill confessing that he is scared and having second thoughts. I love the bit where he reaches the top and screams in that wonderful metallic voice "WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!?" and then agrees to die with "Watch me die!" being the cue for several stills of famous depictions of the crucifixation: Gethsemane

4) I love this clip, with Jesus and Judas having a furious argument (2.55 and then again 5 minutes in). The fury and the passion! The Last Supper

5) The bit where Judas goes to the preists and offers to betray Jesus. This is a very interesting piece, both visually and musically. I love how it starts off with the flute and the tanks, and then turns into some dynamic 70s rock, with a conflicted Judas singing his heart out...especially love the bit where he falls on his knees and sings "Just don't say I'm DAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamned!!" ....and ends with war planes screeching above: Blood Money

6) A tormented Judas hangs himself to some really dramatic funky music

[Greekfreak]

I love Elvis' gospel records, although just about anything released by Mahalia Jackson was great.