Charlton Heston - Charlton Heston Reads the Old Testament at JazzHeritage.com

Review

Long before he was filmmaker Michael Moore's buddy, NRA president, or screaming about taking guns from his cold dead hands, Charlton Heston was Moses. This role as Moses propelled Heston from being just another Hollywood schlep into an icon adored by millions worldwide. At the peak of Heston's success, he went into the studio and recorded two records worth of material: the first being that of the Old Testament and the second being The Life and Passion of Jesus Christ. The first of the two releases finds Heston in fine form throughout the span of two full-length discs, delivering the material with great confidence that isn't overly dramatic (as is he is so prone to do at times) and brings the material the majestic justice it so richly deserves. It doesn't read from the Bible verbatim; rather it takes the most important passages from each book and weaves them together in an epic fashion. The Robert DeCormier Chorale breaks up some of the text with soaring hymns that work very well as a supplement to Heston's reading. It's a release that will interest die-hard Heston fans, retro-kitsch obsessors, and most importantly, those looking for a primer or supplement to aid them through reading one of the most important pieces of text of all time. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

Few voices have the power, resonance, warmth, hue, character and depth that Charlton Heston could muster when he was in his prime and that is when this incredible recording was made. Whether you are Heston fan or not, this recording of Heston reading from the Old Testament is a powerful and fulfilling historic document.

Heston's performance as Moses in the classic DeMille film led to this recording and the majesty of that performance translates beautifully to disc. Here Heston reads the five books of Moses, and while most of you are familiar with the story, hearing it read by Heston adds so much to the tale. His pacing and the way he uses his voice to accentuate various words only adds to the experience. But this is more than just a two-CD set of a man reading, because the producers wisely added some music to illustrate the story. Using the Robert DeCormier Chorale, the producers added choruses such as "Come and Go With Me." These interludes add to the tale and allow for breaks between the narrated sections.

A highly recommended recording and historical document.

—Jacob Anthony

Tracks + Soundclips

Charlton Heston Reads the Old Testament
	1. First Day	0:46
	2. Chorus: My Lord, What a Morning	0:38
	3. Second Day	0:37
	4. Third Day	0:51
	5. Fourth Day	0:43
	6. Fifth Day	0:32
	7. Sixth Day; God Created Adam	2:04
	8. Seventh Day	1:12
	9. Chorus: Oh, Lord, What a Beautiful City	0:43
	10. Garden of Eden	1:14
	11. God Created Eve	1:09
	12. Serpent, Apple, And Expulsion	3:30
	13. Chorus: Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child	1:35
	14. Cain and Abel	2:47
	15. Chorus: Too Late, Sinner	2:17
	16. Conclusion, Adam and Eve	1:15
	17. Chorus: Noah, Noah, Hold On	0:40
	18. God Brings the Flood	5:13
	19. Flood, With Chorus: Didn't It Rain	1:32
	20. Rains Abate	3:00
	21. Abraham and Sarah	3:51
	22. Abraham and Isaac	0:32
	23. Chorus: You Hear the Lambs A-Cryin'	0:43
	24. Abraham and Isaac, Conclusion	3:48
	25. Story of Joseph	1:32
	26. Jacob in Israel/We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder	2:07
	27. Israel's People in Egypt	1:37
	28. Infant Moses	1:27
	29. Chorus: We Shall Overcome	1:04
	30. Moses Flees Egypt	0:46
	31. Burning Bush	2:17
	32. Plagues on Egypt	6:51
	33. Chorus: Go Down Moses	3:02
	34. Parting of the Red Sea	1:49
	35. Chorus: Mary, Don't You Weep	1:30
	36. Water from a Rock/Manna from Heaven	2:33
	37. Chorus: Come and Go With Me	1:23
	38. Contention Among the Israelites	2:57
	39. Ten Commandments/The Golden Calf	5:06
	40. Chorus: There Is a Balm in Gilead	2:44
	41. Last Blessing of Moses	4:08
	42. Chorus: Deep River	2:07
	43. Death of Moses	0:27

Details and Credits

Product Details

Label: Artemis
Release date: 2003/11/11
Lyrics included with album

Styles

Album Credits
Performance Credits

Technical Credits
Charlton Heston	Liner Notes
Ed Friedner	Transfers
Maynard Solomon	Producer
Robert de Cormier	Choir Director
Robert DeCormier Chorale	Performer

Charlton Heston Reads the Old Testament

Review

Read About This Recording

Contents

Tracks + Soundclips

Details and Credits