Voices Only: ‘Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah,’ ‘Paradise Valley’ and shape notes

Welcome to Voices Only, where we scour the internet to bring you great a cappella.

I’ve got a couple of shape-note classics for you this week. First up is a congregational rendition of “Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah” from the Kennedy Heights Church of Christ in Cincinnati.

Can anyone name the song leader? He’s really good. Post in the comments if you know.

I also found this version from the Harding University Concert Choir in a collection produced by Dallas Christian Sound. (Once upon a time, they were one of our best advertising clients. We miss them!)

There’s no real video here, but the audio is great.

Finally, here’s a terrific rendition of “Paradise Valley” from Legacy Music Publishing.

According to it’s website, Legacy was founded in 2010 to carry on the legacy (hence the name) of M. Lynwood Smith (1924-2007), who was “a gospel preacher, prolific songwriter and longtime publisher of hymnals and other religious materials. … We primarily provide music resources to churches and individuals, emphasizing the shaped note (do, re, mi) method of music notation. We also offer some bible study helps to aid in the work of the church and the teaching of the gospel.”

(Is it “shape notes” or “shaped notes?” Now I’m confused.)

Either way, the four-part harmony here is incredible.

 

I don’t know the whole backstory on brother Smith, so I went down a rabbit hole of videos about his life and his compositions. It’s interesting stuff that I’ll share in a future installment of Voices Only. Stay tuned!

What’s your favorite a cappella song? Send us a video link and a short description of what the song means to you. We might use your selection in a future Voices Only.

Filed under: a cappella hymn A Cappella Hymns Acappella congregational singing Dallas Christian Sound Legacy Music Publishing shape notes shaped notes Voices Only