Coming in second at Anaheim, '99 - Platinum's first year in competition - they generated excitement before the first note was sung, by virtue of their pedigree. The lead, Joe Connelly, and the baritone, Tony DeRosa, were both in the mighty Keepsake, 1992's Championship Quartet. Well, that said, we expected state-of-the-art arrangements, coupled with sizzling performances, and 'Be Our Guest' meets the challenge. Most of the material is outside the formal barbershop idiom, with great songs, such as 'The Way You Look Tonight,' 'I'm Beginning To See The Light' and 'What'll I Do' representative selections. The tags, of course, are stunning, with special mention going to 'Who Will Buy' and the title track - what lung power. If it's subtleties you prefer, 'Memories Of You,' written by Eubie Blake, has harmonies layered so closely that the voices move as one - complete symmetry. The note placement and phrasing of the 'Jimmy Webb Medley,' arranged by Jim Clancy, allows the tonality of each voice within the harmony to blossom fully into a resplendent bouquet.

Listen to Be Our Guest in RealAudio.