My What Sweet Honey It Is

Now in their fourth decade, Sweet Honey in the Rock are the pinnacle of strong female groups. Empowering, inspiring, and largely a cappella, these ladies know how to bring it, and on this recording they pay tribute to several cornerstone artists over two full-length albums. Recorded over two shows in 2011 at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall, the ladies smooth voices blend beautifully over the songs of artists like Odetta, Billie Holiday, Miriam Makeba, and Nina Simone, among others.

While their voices alone command your attention, there are plenty of moments here where you find yourself sort of lost in the mesmerizing voices and rhythms. “See Line Woman” on disc one is probably the best example of this. The rhythms drive the song but it’s the powerful, bluesy vocals that bring it all to life. You are transplanted back to a time long ago earl on and  you can hear the desperation in each line. It’s so incredibly powerful. The groovy Jazz of “That Midnight Special” is a highlight as well, as is the tribally gorgeous “Sabumoya.

“The Freedom Suite,” a collection of Odetta’s favorite freedom tunes, (“Oh Freedom,” “Come and Go With Me To That Land,” “I’m On My Way to Freedom Land,” and “Glory, Glory Hallelujah”) is a highlight for certain as well. It’s such a moving suite, these women sing it like they know it in their soul. These are desperate songs sung with so much conviction that they become anthems of hope. “Let There Be Peace” gets your feet moving a bit near the end of the set with a brilliant base line that you can’t help but be woo’d by.

While I’m not the most educated when it comes to Sweet Honey in the Rock’s catalog. It’s easy to recognize the perfection of this performance. Everything is spot on, from timing to pitch to, delivery. It’s all so rhythmic and moving. This album is more than a tribute, it’s an invitation (and an inspiration) for us to be better than who we are.