H. Leslie Adams (1932-2024) is best-known for his vocal compositions, with a large output of art songs and song cycles to choose from, and his works have been performed all over the world. His music is accessible to audiences and performers alike, and our guest today, countertenor Darryl Taylor, of the African American Art Song Alliance, offers amazing insight into Leslie as a person and a composer, as well as shows us the deeper meaning in the songs we discuss.

Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, Ricky L. Owens, Jr., countertenor, Donovan Elliot Smith, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist:

Five Millay Songs (click on the titles for purchase information)

• For You There Is No Song

Nightsongs

• Creole Girl
• Prayer

Collected Songs (several of the songs come in more than one key in this volume!)

• Love Memory
• Amazing Grace

Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA, the Carnegie Mellon School of Music Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA, and The Church Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA.

Darryl Taylor has recorded all of these songs as well:

• For You There Is No Song
• Creole Girl
• Prayer
• Love Memory
• Amazing Grace

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So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.

You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree

For more information on Ricky L. Owens, Jr., countertenor, visit his website.

You can follow Donovan Elliot Smith on his YouTube page.