Mercoledi Musicale

Back in 1996 - I think it was - I bought an album called Steal Away. A compilation of hymns and gospel songs it was my introduction to Charlie Haden and Hank Jones. I became a devoted Haden fan after that and figured owning a few of Jones' cds wouldn't be too shabby of a move either. Steal Away has had pride of place on my favourites shelf ever since.

Jones died in May of 2010 but in February of that year he and Charlie Haden reunited one more time to record Come Sunday - another collection of hymns, gospel songs and inspirations melodies. It is quieter more reflective album than its predecessor - the work of older artists who have learned to strip music down to the essentials. Steve Futterman over at The Barnes and Noble Review has captured the feeling of what these two great artists have created in his review and anything I could add would be superfluous - not a word to use where Haden and Jones are concerned.  And to my mind this is perhaps the best of the tracks on this great CD.

The story of how Thomas A. Dorsey came to write Take My Hand Gracious Lord is a fairly well-known one.  Perhaps the best know and loved of all gospel-blues songs it was born out of his grief at the death of his young wife Nettie Harper in childbirth and infant son two days later in august of 1932.  Dorsey freely admitted that he had found inspiration for the melody in the hymn tune  "Maitland," by American composer, George N. Allen but the lyrics were his cry from the heart at a dark time in his life.

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear
Precious Lord linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears
And the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

It has been sung at State and family funerals, and in gospel and jazz halls; and its been translated in at least 40 languages.  Singers as diverse as Elvis Presley, Leontyne Price, Nina Simone, Jim Nabors, the late Etta James and Aretha Franklin have performed and recorded it.  Perhaps the best known version is by one of Dr Dorsey's favourite gospel singers, the voice of gospel when I was growing up, Mahalia Jackson.  Here she is singing the first verse and to my mind like Haden and Jones, she performs its simply and as a cry from the heart.

Even if hymns and gospel music are not quite your style I strongly recommend Come Sunday for the sheer artistry of the two men involved. It is music making at its simplest, most elegant and most eloquent.

01 February - 1796: The capital of Upper Canada is moved from Newark to York.