An Afternoon of African American Spirituals

Sherry Boone, Harriett D. Foy and Brandie Sutton

February - the month that some celebrate the history and accomplishments of blacks - features several productions about the black experience on the New York City stage. By far, the most moving and impressive seen to date is The African American Spiritual: A Black History Month Tribute Concert. The passionate soprano Sherry Boone, the deep and soulful Harriett D. Foy, and the classic and elegant soprano Brandie Sutton took the audience (and me) on a journey of pain, slavery and hope through song. When tears emerged from these wonderful singers' eyes as they sang, I was filled with emotions that I have not felt at a performance on the New York City stage in recent memory. Wiping the tears that swelled in my own eyes, I left the Merkin Concert Hall on February 5th reflective but somehow alive. Thank you to these three women. What a honorable and memorable event.

Song List 

Part I - The Middle Passage and Slavery

An African Children's Song

Watch and Pray

Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child

Lord, How Come Me Here?

Song for a Dark Girl

You'd Never Believe (from the Opera Ellen Craft)

Part II - Escape and the Underground Railroad

And I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray

Go Down Moses

Steal Away

No More Auction Block for Me

Slavery Chain

He Never Said a Mumblin' Word

Over My Head (I Hear Music in the Air)

Witness

Part III - Freedom in the North

Poor Wayfarin' Stranger

Every Time I Feel the Spirit

Gospel Train

Stars

Change My Name

O Freedom

Part IV - Heaven and Transcendence

Ain't a That Good News

Ride On King Jesus

Ride on Jesus

Give Me Jesus

Oh What I Beautiful City

Artists

Sherry Boone

Harriett D. Foy

Darius Frowner (Musical Director/Pianist)

Brandie Sutton