Every Time I Feel the Spirit

"Fresh" is the word for this a cappella treatment of the popular traditional spiritual, owing largely to Lloyd Larson's clever use of simple syncopation in a rhythmic riff that builds momentum in the altos, tenors and basses while the sopranos carry the lead. "Ev'ry time I feel the spirit moving in my heart...I will pray, yes, I will pray." This has good dynamic contrast, too, which contributes to the overall feeling of motion as the piece builds to a closing fortissimo chord. Nice!