Awake, my soul: the story of the Sacred Harp

We know for sure that at least some BIB readers love the Sacred Harp choral style, especially after the film Cold Mountain and the subsequent visit of a fine Sacred Harp ensemble to the Omagh festival a few years ago. At that same festival, one of Professor Jack Bernhardt's lectures touched on the contribution of Sacred Harp to bluegrass vocal harmony. So thanks to FOAOTMAD for drawing attention to the film Awake, my soul: the story of the Sacred Harp.

If you have friends on Tyneside in England, let them know that there'll be a special showing of the film today week (Thursday 20 May), plus performances from Richard Dawson and Cath & Phil Tyler, at 7.30 p.m. in the Star & Shadow Cinema, Stepney Bank, Newcastle, NE1 2NP; admission £5. There are other Sacred Harp activities in the area soon; for more info, call +44 (0)191 2150138, or see this website.

The film (on which the narration is by Jim Lauderdale) is available on DVD and the soundtrack on CD; both can be bought through the Awake, my soul website, on which plenty of this glorious sound can be heard. Meanwhile, take two minutes and give yourself a treat by watching the trailer.