"American Anthem". (Recital).(Review)

Denyce Graves (and others)

[] "AMERICAN ANTHEM" Songs and hymns by Scheer, Ward, Key, Copland, Thomson, Berlin, Gold, Malotte, others RCA Red Seal 09026-6888-2

With her televised appearance at Washington D.C.'s National Cathedral during America's Day of Mourning following the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, Denyce Graves instantly moved to a higher level of recognition in the eyes of the non-operagoing public. Graves sang "America the Beautiful" and "The Lord's Prayer" movingly at that event. One week later she turned up on a special edition of The Oprah Winfrey Show singing "American Anthem," a song by Gene Scheer so effectively patriotic it had Oprah herself clapping and singing along.

Graves has now recorded that number, along with "America the Beautiful" and "The Lord's Prayer," for this new RCA disc, American Anthem: Songs and Hymns Featuring Denyce Graves and others. That "and others" is in very small print on the CD cover. But caveat emptor -- these are the only three cuts on this disc in which Graves is heard. All the others are recycled RCA material featuring the likes of the Boston Pops and the Robert Shaw Chorale. That's not to say this CD isn't worth purchasing. Graves's voice is becoming richer and more resplendent all the time; her work on this CD is a pleasure to hear. All net proceeds from the sale of the disc are ...