American folk songs and spirituals

18 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Gentle, CLASSICAL: Traditional



Details:
Acclaimed "outstanding" by The Baltimore Sun and other critics, Gregory Lipscomb is quite versatile as a singer, violist and arranger. His Folk Portraits has been heard regularly on radio stations and continues to receive critical acclaim.

Dear Listener:

My grandmother was really the inspiration for this album. It all started with my first CD, "Grand ma's Favorites," which was totally dedicated to her. It's never been on the market , but rather a gift for my family. Many of the same tunes are on "Folk Portraits," but my own arrangements. I only regret Grandma never got to hear it. I think she would have liked it better than the first one. I'm happy,though, knowing she heard the first one a lot during her last months.

The songs on this album, which were not directly inspired by Grand ma, were in reaction to September 11, 2001. I thought, "what could be more fitting than an album of American folk songs and spirituals?"

The horrible tragedy of September 11, 2001 profoundly reminded me of my connection to fellow Americans and to fellow human beings, for that matter. Regardless of race, creed, age, or general musical preferences, we all seem to share a common ground with the folksong. For this reason, I found it quite fitting to record this album as a reminder of our common humanity. I hope you find it to be non-pretentiously reflective and enjoyable.

Sincerely,

Gregory W. Lipscomb


Native to Richmond, Virginia, he began viola studies at age eleven and later attended The Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Lipscomb began vocal studies during his senior year only one year prior to entering The Peabody Institute of Music as a graduate student in Voice.

Since then his career has ranged from opera roles, concert solos and recitals in the USA and abroad to playing viola in such orchestras as The Harrisburg Symphony, The Trenton Symphony, most recently principal violist with The Lancaster Symphony, and others. Upon occasion he has been engaged as both baritone soloist and orchestral violist in the same evening. Lipscomb has been known to fill-in for baritone soloists with only a few hours notice, minimal rehearsal, and later rejoining the viola section.

Currently Mr. Lipscomb resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is on the faculty of The Settlement Music School, where he teaches violin, viola and formerly voice. "Folk Portraits," which consists of many of his own arrangements of spiritual songs, marks his solo-album debut.