Religious Expression In Folk Music

10 p.m. to Midnight Host: Steve Winters

Two of the world's major religions observe events this week that are essential to each. Jews began on Wednesday night a celebration of Passover, which recalls the flight of Israelites from slavery and bondage in Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. Most of Christianity this week marks the Passion of Jesus Christ, climaxing in His Resurrection. Just as Passover celebrates liberation of Jews from oppression, so does Easter celebrate the freeing of Christian believers from the bondage of sin because Jesus took it on Himself on the cross and triumphed over sin.

This year's program was again a mix of old and new material and included a reprise of selections from Kim and Reggie Harris' "Let My People Go" album that was well received by listeners in recent years. The second hour was dedicated to recent album releases that incorporate religious elements into the songwriting, including four selections from a stunning new album that is the soundtrack for a documentary on The Sacred Harp and includes contemporary reworkings of the traditional hymns.

  • Artist, "Title", Album, Label

  • Andy Statman Quartet, Adir, Between Heaven And Earth, Shanachie

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    The Passover Story
    This entire set is comprised of selections from the album "Let My People Go" (Appleseed Records) by Kim & Reggie Harris and Rabbi Jonathan Kliger and the Jewish community of Woodstock, N.Y.

  • B'chol Dor Va'dor (In Every Generation)/I'm On My Way,

  • Ha Lachma Anya (This Is The Bread Of Oppression),

  • Avodim Hayinu (Slaves Were We),

  • Man Come Into Egypt,

  • Ilu Finu (Were Our Mouths Oceans Of Songs),

  • Venomar Lefanav (Let Us Sing A New Song),

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    The Passion Of Jesus Christ

  • El McMeen, Resurrection Power, Amazing Grace, Piney Ridge Music

  • The Isaacs, Man On The Mule, Bridges, Horizon

  • Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Lord's Last Supper, Thank God, Crossroads

  • Seldom Scene (with John Duffey), Were You There?, Baptizing, Rebel

  • Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, “He Is Risen”, Gospel Parade, Sugar Hill

  • Nathan Clark George, “The Lamb Now Lives”, Rise In The Darkness, Independent

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  • Mac Powell, “Help Me To Sing”, Awake My Soul, Awake Productions

  • John Wesley Harding, “Columbus”, Awake My Soul, Awake Productions

  • Cordelia’s Dad, “The Traveler”, Awake My Soul, Awake Productions

  • Liz Janes, “Abbeville”, Awake My Soul, Awake Productions

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  • Kate Campbell, “Dark Night Of The Soul”, “Looking For Jesus”, “Everybody Knows Elvis”, Save The Day, Long River Music

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  • The Sacred Shakers (with Eilen Jewell), “Ready To Home”, “Twelve Gates To The City”, “Banks Of The River”, The Sacred Shakers, Signature Sounds

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  • Andy Statman & David Grisman, “New Shabbos Waltz”, New Shabbos Waltz, Acoustic Disc