One Voice is a powerful and deeply original musical project from civil rights attorney, songwriter, and performer Alan Schorr — an album inspired by the intersection of law, civil rights, and the enduring promise of the American justice system. After more than three decades as a civil rights attorney, Alan Schorr set out to create something no artist had explored before: a collection of songs about how ordinary people, through courage and the rule of law, can create meaningful social change. The result is an album that is both timely and timeless — rooted in justice, humanity, optimism, and hope. Rather than a protest album, One Voice is ultimately an uplifting one. Through a diverse blend of musical styles spanning generations of American music, the album reflects the evolving story of civil rights, equality, and the belief that every individual voice matters. At its heart, One Voice is about the extraordinary power of one person to stand up, speak out, and make a difference. Drawing from Alan’s lifelong experience in the courtroom, the album celebrates the idea that the American justice system, at its best, gives every person the opportunity to be heard — regardless of power, wealth, or position. This is more than an album. It is a musical reflection on justice, resilience, and the enduring belief that one voice truly can change the world.
Inside the tracks
One Voice
The opening and title track sets the stage for this song cycle. Because of the unique American legal system and our Constitution, individuals are able to take on big corporations and governments in order to effect social change. Musically, the song begins with a solitary and grows to a rousing gospel-tinged finale with many voices in a musical interpretation of how one voice can change the way we think, act, and live our lives.
NEW GENERATION
The Federal Age Discrimination in Employment, and state laws such as the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, make it unlawful for businesses and governments to discriminate against employees on the basis of their age. “New Generation” features a conversation between a next generation company CEO and an older worker who has just been laid off. Brian Fishman, a next generation attorney, shares the duet with me in this rocker.
SHINING STAR
Even before her groundbreaking decades of achievement as a Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg was changing the world for working women. She would often attend opera in Washington, DC, with her political adversary, Justice Antonin Scalia. The opera interlude in the song, featuring soprano Donna Friedman, signifies how music can bring us together to try to solve the world.
INDIVIDUALITY
The struggle for civil rights for our LGBTQ+ community has been especially difficult due to the lack of political will to enact laws protecting equal rights and the right to marry. Thanks to the terrific horn score by arranger, Jeff Lesser, and a fantastic production by engineer and producer, Richard Hartline, this song now soars as the disco-style hit record that it was intended to be when I first wrote it almost 50 years ago
OH JEROME
Our laws protecting against discrimination on the basis of disability are much broader than providing handicapped parking spots or ergonomic chairs. The failure to accommodate workers’ disabilities can result in severe injury and even, as in the case of Jerome Bradford, death. His dramatic story is told as a folk song. The violin is played by my son and law partner, Adam Schorr, and the flute at the end of the song is beautifully played by Celia Bradford herself.
IT’S THE CONSTITUTION
The United States Constitution has been the star of the show for almost 250 years. It has been the backbone of our democracy and has survived changing times, huge political swings, and even the Civil War. Musically, this blues number continues to grow as the Constitution continues to grow. Upon the completion of all of the Amendments, the band explodes in a jazz swing celebration. After all, It’s The Constitution, and you better treat it right.
BLOW THAT WHISTLE
Thanks to our whistleblower protection laws, conscientious employees can protect the public without fear of reprisal without recourse. This song chronicles my three biggest whistleblower cases. Each case took a decade to complete and each required at least one trip to the New Jersey Supreme Court. This song, in a South Chicago Blues style tells each of the three stories, along with the moral of the story - you can fight City Hall.
VENICE IS SINKING
An album about civil rights and social justice would not be complete without a protest to governments around the world who are allowing climate change to imperil our Earth and its human and non-human inhabitants. This progressive rock song, written in 5/4 time, celebrates those voices who are carrying on a quixotic fight that will probably only succeed with the help of the justice system.
THE CHURCH BELLS
Only gender discrimination pre-dates religious discrimination. It remains one of the world’s pervasive problems. Yet Courts have not taken religious discrimination seriously enough. While visiting this ancestral town, one of the elders told me a story about my great, great grandfather, Zalman Richman, which shook me to my core in a way that I will never forget. We can never forget the lesson of the Church Bells.
SILLY LAWS
Fearful of the album becoming too angry and maudlin, I wanted to interject this lighthearted comedy song about all of the stupid laws that have been passed by state and local governments. For this country blues number I did a lot of research to uncover the dumbest of these Silly laws. Joined by a zany group of friends playing kazoos and various noisemakers, this song pokes good-natured fun at some of the most inane and misguided lawmakers
TIKKUN OLAM
Tikkun Olam is Hebrew for “repairing the world”. In Judaism there is a beautiful foundational philosophy that each person is tasked with the responsibility of making the world a better place. I am joined by the phenomenal choir, ChildrenSong, whose beautiful your voices and enthusiasm have been bringing joy to listeners throughout the world. Repair the World - Tikkun Olam.
AMERICAN HORA STORY
Discrimination on the basis of national origin. While lawsuits have had success battling against national origin discrimination, we watch with horror as ICE agents raid workplaces and kill innocent protesters. This story is told from perspective of immigrants that I personally knew - my grandparents. I play my accordion on this song - a hora - a traditional Eastern European dance that celebrates all immigrants. It is my American Hora Story.
