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That Lonesome Road: SSA, <i>a cappella</i> Choral Octavo

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That Lonesome Road Cover Image
That Lonesome Road: SSA, a cappella Choral Octavo

That Lonesome Road: SSA, a cappella Choral Octavo

Words and music by James Taylor and Don Grolnick / arr. Kirby Shaw

Item: 00-46945
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Description
James Taylor's beautiful ballad gains new life in this simply stated a cappella setting by arranger Kirby Shaw. Sensible voice leading makes chords easy to tune, uncomplicated rhythms allow the text to speak. Awesome, accessible writing in every edition.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 4
UPC: 038081535944
SKU: 00-46945

More about this title

About the Composer: James Taylor

James Taylor emerged as one of America's most influential singer-songwriters in the early 1970s, crafting introspective folk-pop ballads that resonated across generations. His gift for melody and emotional authenticity established him as a cornerstone of the singer-songwriter tradition, and his catalog remains central to American popular music education and performance.

Why we love this

Kirby Shaw's arrangement strips away studio production and lets the song's melodic and harmonic beauty carry the weight, making it an ideal choice for choirs wanting to perform recognizable contemporary material without technical fireworks. The accessible voice leading and straightforward rhythms mean your singers can focus on tone and text rather than fighting complicated notation, freeing them to deliver a genuinely moving performance.

What to expect

Intimate and reflective, the arrangement invites listeners into a quiet moment of introspection. Without instrumental support, every voice becomes transparent; the emotional weight lands squarely on the singers' tone, breath control, and commitment to the song's lyrical narrative.

Who it's for

This octavo works for any SSA or mixed-voice choir seeking a piece that honors a classic song while remaining genuinely singable in rehearsal and performance. It appeals to directors programming contemporary material for concert, festival, or competition settings where emotional authenticity and clear communication matter more than showiness.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the melody across your first sopranos so it projects clearly without overshadowing the inner harmonic voices; these chord tones matter equally to tuning and blend.
  • Shape the phrases around the text rather than bar lines; let the lyrical content guide your breath placement and dynamic shaping.
  • Rehearse the tuning challenges by singing each voice part alone against a sustained root note, then layer voices one at a time to establish the harmonic foundation before singing full chords.

How to use it

Pair this with other folk-rooted or contemporary a cappella pieces to build a thematic concert set, or use it as a closing number on a mixed program where it can settle audiences into a reflective mood. The four-page length and performance time make it flexible for both full concerts and shorter recital formats.

Skills your students will build

  • Tuning seventh chords and other altered harmonies through voice leading awareness
  • Singing a cappella without instrumental support or drone
  • Phrasing lyrics expressively across harmonic changes
  • Balancing melody and inner voices in three-part harmony

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