Reportedly seven years in the making, the musical documentary Awake My Soul offers a glimpse into a little-known and seldom-discussed form of a capella music christened 'Sacred Harp singing' that relies on an alternate set of musical notations called shape notes. Because this Christian worship music originated in rural churches of the American south, the program travels to these venues and examines 'The Sacred Harp,' a very special hymnal built entirely around shape note singing, used and celebrated by a select few who are christened 'The Lost Tonal Tribe.' ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
As seen on Public Television nationwide. 'Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp' is the first feature documentary about Sacred Harp singing, a haunting form of a cappella, shape note hymn singing with deep roots in the American south. Shape note singing has survived over 200 years tucked away from notice in the rural deep south, where in old country churches, singers break open 'The Sacred Harp', a 160 year old shape note hymnal which has preserved these fiercely beautiful songs which are some of the oldest in America. The film offers a glimpse into the lives of this 'Lost Tonal Tribe' whose history is a story of both rebellion and tradition. The filmmakers, Matt and Erica Hinton spent 7 years documenting this yet largely unknown art form. Narrated by country singer Jim Lauderdale. This Special Edition includes an extended version of Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp with over 20 minutes not seen on Television, as well as over 5 hours of bonus features! Including: * Awake, My Soul, a documentary introduction to the history, music and traditions associated with The Sacred Harp, a 19th shapenote hymnal which contains many of the earliest American tunes. * Deleted Scenes * Additional interview footage from the Sacred Harp singers featured in Awake, My Soul commenting on a variety of themes. * Over two hours of Sacred Harp singing (62 songs) from 1998-2006, the years that Awake My Soul was in production. * A feature-length audio commentary by featured singers Hugh McGraw, Raymond Hamrick, John Plunkett, and director, Matt Hinton. * The original 10 minute film that was the university project which led the directors, Matt & Erica Hinton, to produce Awake, My Soul . * Interviews with Narrator/ country singer Jim Lauderdale and with Executive Producers Mac Powell & Tai Anderson of the Grammy award winning band, Third Day. * Subtitles for those who haven't yet grasped the nuances of the Southern dialect of the English language. * and more...
