Montana A Cappella Society | Love Is Here to Stay

Published: November 9, 2009

There’s something to please everyone’s musical palate on the Montana A Cappella Society’s new CD, Love Is Here to Stay: 500 Years of Love Songs.

The Bitterroot Valley choral group's second effort, following 2007’s Christmasse Comes but Once a Year, spans musical styles from 1450 to modern-day, rendered in fine a cappella fashion – voices only.

The group, formed in 2003 and comprising volunteer singers from all walks of life, represented Montana last year at the U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Artistic director Don Matlock says, “the myriad faces of love have been explored by philosophers, poets, and musicians for millennia, and … we want to share with you some of our own musical explorations of love.”

The recording opens with a gospel-flavored Shaker hymn from 1893, “Give Good Gifts.” Matlock says that, in it, we are reminded that to bless and be blessed is the law of love.

Rich vocal modulations propel Malotte’s “The Lord’s Prayer” (1935), and Newton’s “Amazing Grace,” from 1835, is sung at a fast, almost rapturous clip. There’s some Rachmaninoff and Schubert; and a song from wa-a-y back, di Lasso’s “Matona, Lovely Maiden,” written around 1550, has a bit of a march tempo.

The traditional American song, “Shenandoah” (1810), has cool unison male vocals at the beginning, and pretty soon we get some finger-snappin’ stylin’ on Troup’s “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.” From 1946, this jazzy tune is steeped in doo-wa-aahs and gallons of reverb. Move over, Johnny Mann Singers!

There’s a nod to traditional Celtic favorites, “Loch Lomond” (1841), and “Danny Boy” (1913). Lots of fa-la-la-la-las infuse Morley’s complex and tuneful “Sing We and Chant It” (circa 1595); and some way cool “tick-tocks” and “drip-drops” entertain us in Cole Porter’s “Night and Day,” from 1932.

Choral nuances infuse “Vita de la Mia Vita” (circa 1750) from Tasso and Hawley, and the lovely “Ashokan Farewell,” written in 1983 by McGregor and Ungar, is sung in the wide, sweeping fashion of musicals.

Lots more music is rendered stylishly in this nifty compendium of a cappella songs. A portion of the proceeds from this new album is earmarked for choral programs in Bitterroot Valley schools.

Visit the group at www.montanaacappella.org.

– Mariss McTucker