Now The Green Blade Riseth (UHQCD)

Quite a few audiophiles are of the opinion that „And Now The Green Blade Riseth” is at least as good an album as the similar, far better known „Cantate Domino” – if not the better one. Scott Hull of New York studio Masterdisk handled the remastering of the original analog tapes and expressed his enthusiasm for the work: „These master tapes remind me of classical recording techniques used years ago. These choral works sound great on vinyl because they were recorded for vinyl. What we have here is a graceful and full choir in a magnificent space.” The recording was captured by sound engineer Alvin Bertil in March 1981 at Stockholm’s Österhaninge Church.

The Stockholm Cathedral Choir under the baton of Gustaf Sjökvist is accompanied by organist Bengt Berg. The repertoire combines traditional and contemporary religious chorales with set pieces from folklore and jazz. Thanks to Berg’s arrangements, including for guitar, flute and piano, the 20 pieces seem familiar and speak directly to the listener even without a spiritual context.

Fabio Camorani of the AudioNautes label now releases the album’s UHQCD after the LP. The hardcover includes extensive notes on the work and recording. The first edition of the title is consecutively numbered.

UHQCD stands for Ultimate High Quality Compact Disc and is a joint development of the Japanese CD replication company Memory-Tech and the Audio Quality CD Company from Hong Kong. Unlike conventional CDs, UHQCDs are not pressed from polycarbonate, but cast from a photopolymer and cured with UV light. Another layer of high-purity polycarbonate is applied to the softer photopolymer for scratch protection. The combination results in significantly reduced reflection of laser light inside the CD and an unmatched precise edge transition between pits and lands of the CD. UHQCDs are 100% compatible with standard CD players. Musically, the result is a sound image strongly reminiscent of analog master tapes.

Lista pieselor

1. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (Pov 729)

2. When he comes (Pov 742)

3. There Is a Road to Heaven (Pov 743)

4. Thou Whom Shepards Worshipped (Pov 653)

5. Loves Coma Is Come Again (Pov 688)

6. When we Share the Bread that He Gives us (Pov 641)

7. God and Man at Table are Sat Down (Pov 642)

8. The Love of God is Broad like Beach and Meadow (Pov 713a)

9. Said Judas to Mary (Pov 634)

10. God, When You Breathe (Pov 625)

11. Your name, o Jesus is a Comfort (SvPs 66)

12. Sorrow and Joy Go Hand in Hand (SvPs 365)

13. I Know of a Dark and Gloomy Garden (SvPs 267)

14. Walk carefully, o, Christian (SvPs 565)

15. O, Jesus Mine, what Wrong Have You Done? (SvPs 81)

16. Just One Day, One Moment at Time (SvPs 365)

17. My Soul, You Must Now Forget (SvPs 71)

18. O Christ, who art the Light and Day (SvPs 445)

19. Hope Gives Rest to my Redeemed Soul (SvPs 599)

20. Spread Your Wings Over Me (SvPs 451)

Format	UHQCD
Casă de discuri	AudioNautes
Gen muzical	Muzică clasică