A Cappella Compilations
You know what’s great about compilations? You’re getting a package with anywhere from eight to 20 groups, allowing you to sample the wares of many. Sometimes it’s hard to know, just from an album review, whether you’ll like a group’s work. With a compilation, you can see if you like them and a number of others all at once. Whether it’s a live recording of a cappella competitions in the U.S. or Canada, decades of Gospel groups, national collections of folk from around Europe and Africa, or even a collection of old-style streetcorner harmony – use this as a chance to prove that “strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet.”
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Ode To Krispy Kreme (Chapter 6) -Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing (Chapter 6) -Paper Moon (Moodswing) -Mary Don't You Weep (Traces) -Joy To The World (Groove For Thought) -Superstitious/I Wish (Fiveplay) -Can't Stop Thinking About You (Firedrill!) -Crazy Love (Cartoon Johnny) -What's Goin' On? (Undivided) -I Never Knew (Fiveplay) -Englishman In New York (Traces) -Chain OfFools (Firedrill!) -Pink Panther Theme (Face) -Moanin' (Moodswing) -Walk The Straighter Road (Groove For Thought) -Rock Your Body (Cartoon Johnny) -Amazing Grace (Undivided) -Harder To Breathe (Face) -Safety Dance (Face) |
TIt always seems to us as the Harmony Sweeps celebrates another year of its existence (its 21st, in this case), that "last year's Finals were so sublime, how could this year's possibly…etc., etc."—but then we're in the sold-out, excited audience for this year's, and the first group is about to come on… what we're trying to say is somehow each Sweeps Final is better than the last. And what we love about the CDs is that they're live, 9 of the best a cappella groups in the world on one stage, singing their hearts out for 13 short minutes, for the National Championship. Last May, Mid-Atlantic's Cartoon Johnny, Boston's Firedrill, Chicago's Fiveplay, NYC's Traces, Denver's Face, Pacific NW's Groove for Thought, LA's Undivided and SF's own Moodswing were those groups. 19 songs, including "Joy to the World" and Best Original Song, "Walk the Straighter Road" by Kevin Kunz of National Champions Groove For Thought, David Lichtman Best Original Arrangement winner "Paper Moon" by Greg Murai of Moodswing, ("Moanin'" by Moodswing is also happily included), 3rd Place finishers Fiveplay sing Stevie Wonder's "Superstitious/IWish" and "I Never Knew," and runner-up and Audience Favorite Face have 3 winners, "Pink Panther Theme," "Harder To Breathe" and "Safety Dance." But let us not forget hosts Chapter 6, whose "Ode to Krispy Kreme" and "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" drew standing O's, Firedrill's Motown classic "Chain of Fools," Traces' "Mary Don't You Weep," Undivided's "What's Goin' On" and Cartoon Johnny's "Crazy Love." A savory sampler from a magic night in May in San Rafael, CA!
Listen to Isn't She Lovely (Groove For Thought) and Paper Moon (Moodswing) in Real Audio.
| 2005 CD $14.98 |
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This year's Harmony Sweepstakes reminded all who participated, how magical
making music can be. Now, we all can share that magic by listening to
this excellent live recording. With 20 years gone by, this national competition
is still going strong and bringing out the very best in a cappella singing.
This year's show had an excellent assortment of various styles, including
jazz, pop, contemporary, latin and much more. There were lots of humorous
moments, including the national champions, Chapter Six's original song,
7th Wheel, as well as somber/uplifting moments including the beautiful
performance of Kiss From A Rose by Impulse. Of course no one could forget
Clockwork's performance of Inna-Godda-Da-Vida or Vox Bop's Commercial
medley. With continuous stellar performances from all eight groups, this
19 track CD is sure to keep you entertained.
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We're of the almost certainly biased opinion that the Harmony Sweeps
Finals are the best a cappella shows in the world. Imagine 8 groups, who
have come in first in Regional competition with 10 other groups in places
like New York, Boston, the Bay Area, Chicago and LA, performing before
a packed auditorium in San Rafael, CA for 12 minutes each, for the coveted
National Championship. Each year outdoes the last, and "electric" doesn't
do justice to the 2003 Finals. There are 18 songs on the CD, two from
each group and two from '02 Champs, and very funny hosts, LA's Perfect
Gentlemen, "Gimme Some Skin" and the guitar accompanied (!) "Meanest Thing
You Ever Did Was Kiss Me." The Bay Area's hilarious Moosebutter brings
us "Psycho, The Musical," winner of "Best Original Song" (lyrics), and
their trademark parody, "Star Wars," part of a set that won them 2nd place
honors. The Pacific NW's Second Chance contribute a funky "Go Tell It
On The Mountain" and the very funny beach song parody "Sand Down My Pants."
LA's Undivided Musical Group sing "Amarte Mas" and nail Ward Swingle's
arrangement of "Mission Impossible Theme." Boston's All About Buford do
wonderful covers of the Gershwins' "Summertime" and Rodgers & Hart's "My
Funny Valentine." Chicago's Nightwatch sing two songs from their infamous
"Diner Set" (complete with ballistic donut), "Truck Drivin' Man" and "Yes
Sir, That's My Baby," and New York's very smooth Cadence covers "Straighten
Up and Fly Right" and "Tempted' beautifully. Denver's Groove Society gets
the crowd up and rocking with "You're No Good" and the classic "Listen
to the Music." Unbelievably, as good as all these groups were, the best
was saved for last, Mid-Atlantic winner Idea of North from Australia,
who shine on "Mas Que Nada" (which won the David Lichtman Award for Best
Arrangement) and Randy Newman's heart-tugging "When She Loved Me." Idea
of North got the nod from the judges, and won Audience Favorite, while
Moosebutter and Cadence placed 2nd and 3rd. A chorus of "Goodnight Sweetheart"
later we were all walking out of beautiful Marin Veterans Auditorium,
not believing how good a show we had just seen and heard!
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The sellout crowd at Marin Veterans Aud. in San Rafael, CA once again
saw a dazzling Harmony Sweepstakes Final - Eight Regional winners from
all over the country, giving their all in the "most exciting twelve minutes
in a cappella." In this wonderfully recorded CD we hear Denver winner
Eclipse's "Danny Boy" and "Look My Way," Bay Area Winner III of a Kind's
incredible cover of "Man in the Mirror" and the Asian hit tune "Anak;"
returning winner (Pacific NW) The Standards' "Ain't Got Nothing But Love"
and heartfelt "Prayer of the Children;" Boston Winner Groove's great covers
of "Anna Begins" and James Brown's classic "I Feel Good," and New York
winner, the Russian group Autri, sings "Keimanchuli" and a stunning original
by one of its members, "Tale of War." Los Angeles' Perfect Gentlemen's
cutting edge barbershop harmony soars into "Blue Skies" and "Patty Cake."
Washington, DC's Tone Rangers score with their offbeat covers of "I Need
You" and Simon & Garfunkel's "Keep The Customer Satisfied." Finally, Chicago
winner Chapter 6 nails Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and finishes with a
hilarious "Wizard Of Oz Medley." In the end the judges chose The Perfect
Gentlemen as National Champion, (also chosen Audience Favorite) and we
walked into the night, smiling and raving about one of the best a cappella
shows of all time!
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If you were there in San Rafael on May 5th, 2001, you know what an incredible
show this was. Eight of the best groups in the world, Sixth Wave, Voice
Trek, Freestyle, Vox Bop, So Rare, T Minus 5, 4:2:5 and Eclipse, on stage
for 12 incredible minutes each, the show hilariously hosted by last year's
winner, Toxic Audio. The sellout (always) audience was blown away by one
amazing performance after another, ranging from the ridiculous, T Minus
5's side-splitting "Red Neck Avenger" and Freestyle's very funny "Paper
Doll," to the unbelievable, Vox Bop's genre-hopping commentary on all
things a cappella, "Slinky Variations," and Voice Trek's tour-de-force
"William Tell Overture;" to the sublime, So Rare's "Ain't Misbehavin'
and 4:2:5's "Still The One." In the end, the judges had a difficult choice,
and went with Los Angeles' Sixth Wave, whose "Grazin' in the Grass" and
"Mambo" are representative of their wonderful vocal jazz set. Add two
songs by Toxic Audio, which makes 18, and you have a barn-burner CD of
one of the best a cappella shows of all time. Wow!
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The professionalism of the competing groups becomes more impressive with
each passing year! Each and every ensemble that graces the stage with
their talent has something special, and each group is distinct in its
own way. Of course the contemporary and jazz groups are always popular
- and in fact, Toxic Audio, the contemporary/jazz quintet from Florida,
took first place, and another mixed jazz quintet, Bay Area favorites +4
db, were third - but, in addition, we feature the Perfect Gentlemen, a
barbershop group from Los Angeles (2nd place), and the Total Experience
Gospel Choir. Of course, 1999 champs, and your hosts, the contemporary
Christian septet, Seven, perform two songs, and their virtuosity is undeniable.
Audience favorites the Exboyfriends (who have won this category in previous
New York regionals, flexing their performance muscles), swagger with Led
Zeppelin's "Ramble On," while the reconstituted All Star Vocal Band (formerly
the 17th Ave. All Stars) cover Journey and Stevie Wonder. Live Wire and
Chapter Six represent the hot retro swing craze. It's a panoply of sound!
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This year's program was the most diverse and exciting yet. Filled with
emerging groups, as well as Sweepstakes favorites such as Chicago Voice
Exchange, the competition was intense indeed. Seven, from New York, garnered
top honors, with their intricate and multi-textured voicings, heard to
best advantage on "Bridge Over Troubled Water"; the group's arrangements
are expanding the universe of sound. Taking second place were the Standards,
five brothers whose onstage appeal and energy charmed everyone. Minimum
Wage's outrageous humor, as exemplified by "The Last Cowboy Song," had
the audience begging for mercy (or more?) Other musical highlights include
the ringing tones of last year's champs, Metropolis (a barbershop quartet),
the Euphorics, with "Message In A Bottle" and Pickup 6's medley of Beatles
favorites.
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We are fortunate indeed to have assembled such a truly talented group
of finalists for the 1998 Harmony Sweeps. Winners Metropolis, the barbershop
quartet from Southern California, sing "Some Lucky Day" and the entertaining
"Yakko's World." Audience favorite (and second-place finishers) +4dB begin
the festivities with "In A Mellow Tone" and also perform the Real Group's
"Chile Con Carne." Other groups include Canadians the Heebee-jeebees,
catalog favorites Blind Man's Bluff, Ball in the House and Acapelicans
(from Australia), Cool Shooz and the third place winners, the Sweet Adelines'
quartet City Lights. Bonus performance: An improvised jam by our evening's
hosts, SoVoSo.
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Well, here we go again saying that this year's Harmony Sweepstakes recording
is even better than all the rest, but it is so true! The quality of the
groups improves, and the recordings really do get better! Features our
Regional Champs Five O'Clock Shadow, Kickshaw, Seven Seconds, SoVoSo,
Graffiti Tribe, This Side Up, Chicago Voice Exchange, and DaVinci's Notebook
plus 1996 National Champs M-PACT!
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Timing, that is the key. Often we understand the magnitude of an event only though the hindsight of history. In 1990 Spike Lee & Co. produced a television special totally a cappella. It featured some of the finest rock/popular/doo-wop groups in the world. Included in this sound track are Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The Mint Juleps, The Persuasions, Rockapella, Take Six and True Image. In historical terms this event was a watershed event bringing the renaissance of a cappella of to the public consciousness. It still is a marvelous CD and a must for any enthusiast of the genre. What ever happened to True Image, anyway?
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Northern Harmony, Edmonton, Alberta's a cappella festival, the only a cappella 'battle of the bands' in Canada, celebrated its 8th year in 2005 with a 'best of' CD, 'Do No Harm.' Specifically, these 22 cuts represent all 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, Audience Favourite, Best Soloist, Best Original Song and even Best Bass, between 1998-2004, by 16 groups, some of which don't exist anymore. Calgary's Heebee-Jeebees, who brought their manic humor south to our Harmony Sweeps Final, have 3 winners here: 'Use the Force,' 'Gitarzan' and 'Channel 12.' Quintessential's crazed country-western 'The Auctioneer' and 'Quintessential Harmony' are excellent, as is 'Let the Rest of the World Go By' by barbershoppers About Face. Contemporary group Real F/X do a hot cover of the Young Rascals' 'Good Lovin',' and No Assembly Required has a nice pair, 'Criminal on the Cross' and Billy Joel's 'And So It Goes.' Standing Room Only's very funny 'Mr. Taxman' (to the tune of 'Mr. Sandman'), OnCue's 'Name Song,' Voce's 'Let It Go,' InSync's 'The River (Sailing)' medley, CNote's folky 'Old Brown's Daughter,' The Fabulous Doo-Wop Boys' cover of Weird Al's 'One More Minute,' and CHICKAdivas' crazed 'Logdriver's Waltz' join our list of favorites. A cappella is burning brightly in the north country, and the pilot light can be found in Edmonton, Alberta!
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California Screamin' is an eclectic recording from some of the Bay Area's top a cappella acts. This album is not your traditional a cappella. This high octane collection includes harmonies from Hookslide who contributed two tracks, including an exciting arrangement of Aerosmith's anthem, "Dream On." Harmony Sweepstakes finalists +4db add their unique sound. The eccentric group Speedzoo provide two tracks featuring their soulful lead vocalist Lisa Trevorrow. Other featured cuts include female fivesome Dilemna, Boyz Nite Out and their bumpin' vocal percussion, urban a cappella from Three 5 and 6, and Billboard chart toppers Kai. 12 tracks of excitment!
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Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver - Climbing Up the Mountain Nashville Bluegrass Band - Father I Stretch My Hand To Thee Don Rigsby - Vision Of A Golden Crown Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group - He's Coming Again So Soon Front Range - My Heavenly Home The Country Gentlemen - Feel Like My Time Ain't Long Peter Rowan & The Rowan Brothers - Lone Pilgrim Tim & Mollie O'Brien - Shut De Do Ricky Scaggs & Tony Rice - Talk About Suffering Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group - Didn't You Want To Go To Heaven Peter Rowan & Nashville Bluegrass Band - Jesus Made the Wine New Grass Revival - Walk In Jerusalem Doc Watson - What A Friend We Have In Jesus Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver - That New Jerusalem Nashville Bluegrass Band - Roll Jordan Roll |
Bluegrass, a brand of music appreciated for its intricate musicianship and instrumental virtuosity, has always maintained a fresh appeal while staying true to the gospel roots inherent to the genre. Sacred Voices is a gathering of Bluegrass big shots who have put down their instruments and opened their voices, sounding out an integrated variety of Gospel songs and continuing a tradition that started with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver sing "Climbing Up The Mountain" and "That New Jerusalem". Peter Rowan & The Rowan Brothers sing a haunting "Lone Pilgrim" while also making an appearance with the Nashville Bluegrass Band on "Jesus Made the Wine". "Father I Stretch My Hand To Thee" and "Roll Jordan Roll" also feature the Nashville Bluegrass Band. Tim & Mollie O'Brien contribute "Shut De Do" and Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice "Talk about Suffering". New Grass Revival adds a touch of live performance to the mix with "Walk In Jerusalem" while Robin & Linda Williams & Friends keep the faith with "He's Coming Again So Soon" and "Don't You Want To Go To Heaven". Also featured are "Vision Of A Golden Crown" by Don Rigsby and a whole cast of vocals, "My Heavenly Home" by Front Range, and "Feel Like My Time Ain't Long" by The Country Gentlemen. First published in 1855 is the oldest and most recognizable song "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", a riveting solo performance given by Doc Watson. Bluegrass and Gospel music are both inspiring and timeless; strip down to the naked voice and the result is something sacred.
| 2276 CD $14.98 |
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Two of these six groups, The Standards and Eclipse, have won awards on the stage of the Harmony Sweeps Finals--and The Knudsen Brothers won it all in 1990. The Standards' "Brown Eyed Girl," "I Can't Break Away" and 'Til I Found You;" Eclipse's "Think Twice," "Hard Times Come No More" and "Through It All;" and the Knudsen's "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Blue Suede Shoes/Hound Dog" Presley medley are some of our favorites on this excellent compilation. 7-man Gospel group from Mesa, AZ, 259's "Jericho" and "Nearer My God to Thee" are very fine, as is Barbershop/Gospel quartet Reprise's "Because I Have Been Given Much" and "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad." Contemporary Gospel mixed quintet Shine's "My Jesus I Love Thee" completes our favorites, and we have to say that we love to see a collection like this. The Spotlight is on the best stuff of several top-drawer, mixed-genre a cappella groups on a single CD — it all has a very Harmony Sweeps-like energy to it, and we appreciated and enjoyed every cut!
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A collection of some of today's top Southern Gospel artists get together to record an all a cappella recording. Artists include Reggie Smith, Mike Bowling, Jason Crabb, Kim Rubbe Lord, Ernie Haase, Jessica King and many others.
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Home In The Sky (Wingman Quartet) Let Me Ride The Chariot (Wingman Quartet) Shelter In The Time Of Storm (Wingman Quartet) Sorrow Valley (Nightengale Jubalaires) Dig A Little Deeper (Nightengale Jubalaires) Rough And Rocky Road (Nightengale Jubalaires) Standing By The Bedside Of A Neighbor (Nightengale Jubalaires) Stand By Me (Stars of Harmony) Today (Stars of Harmony) Where Shall I Be (Stars of Harmony) Jesus Met The Woman At The Well (Stars of Harmony) There Are Some Things (Stars of Harmony) I Know The Lord (Kansas City Gospel Singers) My Soul Is A Witness (Kansas City Gospel Singers) I'm On My Way (Kansas City Gospel Singers) Trouble All About My Soul (Kansas City Gospel Singers) Walk Around (Soul Stirrers) He's My Rock (Soul Stirrers) Precious Lord (Soul Stirrers) Freedom After A While (Soul Stirrers) |
If you're a fan of a cappella gospel from the 1930s and '40s, you won't want to miss this CD! Best known of the five groups is the Soul Stirrers, who are credited with reshaping gospel and paving the way for modern R&B. Their historic first recordings are here and have never before been rereleased on CD.
| 3311 CD $14.98 |
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Leading up to the emergence of doo-wop was the tradition of black quartet singing. It is one of the major tributaries of our musical evolution which led to rock 'n roll and R&B which led to... But we digress. Let's go back to the quartets. Between the World Wars was a period during which this style evolved from the schoolyards and churches of the southern Atlantic seaboard to finally become the sophisticated sounds of groups like the Golden Gate Quartet and the Silver Leaf Quartet Of Norfolk. This recording traces that evolution with some early, raw recordings from quartets at the beginning of the movement and lots of the highly sophisticated groups of the later years. It is a historian's dream as well as a testament to the human spirit. The accompanying booklet has wonderful notes to leave you much richer for the experience.
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What we have here is a gospel lover's advanced degree, in 71 minutes of music made up of 28 songs. The CD includes the entire album entitled All Of My Appointed Time (Forty years of A Cappella Gospel Singing). But that's not all! Part II includes rare and unissued transcriptions by Jubilee-influenced groups of the l940's. Among the male groups are the Golden Gate Quartet, The Kings Of Harmony, The Blue Jay Singers and The Soul Stirerrs with the fabulous R.H. Harris who coached Sam Cooke. Sam went on to join the Soul Stirerrs which was the beginning of his career. Among the women singers you will hear The Georgia Peach (Clara Hudman) who first recorded with the Atlanta congregation of the Rev. J.M. Gates. Additionally, you will find recordings by Bessie Griffin, Jeanette Harris and The Golden Harps and Marion Williams. Just think, a musicology degree in 71 minutes!
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United Records was one of the first successful black-owned record companies and was operated by Leonard Allen, a former policeman. With impecable taste Allen recorded some of the best performances of the top jazz, gospel and R&B acts between 1951 and 1957, especially in the Chicago area. This recording features some of United mightest gospel quartets who by this time had introduced a more modern sound that had taken the place of the more conservative jubilee tradition, and included knee-drop, ad-lib interjections, swing lead and exaggerated vocal ornamentation. Great stuff!
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"Fathers and Sons" celebrates The Soul Stirrers gospel quartet, whose recordings and live performances in the 1930s would extend far beyond gospel, mostly thanks to the first gospel stylist in quartet, R.H. Harris. Originating in Trinity, Texas, the group was raised on shape-note music, and their serene background harmonies were centered on that pure tonality, a perfect base for Harris' soaring, melancholy tenor. Harris' acolyte Sam Cooke made Harris' style famous, influencing countless pop singers who don't even know the name of the man they are echoing. 8 wonderful a cappella Stirrers tunes, "Walk Around," "Sleep On Mother," "Precious Lord," "Lord I've Tried," "Remember Me," "Does Jesus Care" and others. Next are 4 tracks from the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, clearly influence by the Stirrers: "I'm Going to Tell God," "I Was Praying," "Will Jesus Be Waiting," and "Jesus Is A Rock." Finally we have 4 by The Nightingales, who evolved into The Sensational Nightingales: "Vacant Room in Glory," "See How They Done My Lord," "I'm Coming Up Lord" and "Somewhere To Lay My Head." Listen to "Jesus Is A Rock," and hear the music that pop singers Aretha Franklin, Smoky Robinson and Diana Ross, among many others, were singing in church before they added some different lyrics and went into recording studios. Some light accompaniment. This is dynamic stuff, from soulful laments to foot-stomping revival meeting call-and-response spirituals, by the pioneer groups that changed popular music by finding more expressive ways to praise their Lord.
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This is one of those historic compilations with pages of history in 5-point type and lots of cool old photos, and wonderful music that we haven't heard before but want to hear more of! This is brought to us by the SMGA, Southern Gospel Music Association, whose purpose was to build a Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which opened in Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN in 1999. We just have to love groups called Rebels Quartet featuring Big Jim Waits, singing "Hide Me Rock of Ages," the Chuck Wagon Gang, singing "Lead Me On," and the Homeland Harmony Quartet (has nothing to do with Homeland Security), singing "Lead Me to that Rock." The Rangers' Quartet's "I've Found a Hiding Place," and the Vaughan Sand Mountain Quartet's "I'll Not Deny My Savior." Authentic, pioneering Gospel by some truly amazing groups. Beautiful and fascinating!
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Gospel music is an integral part of everyday life in South Africa's urban townships and rural communities, and it constitutes one of the largest genre segments of the local recording industry. This widespread popularity has spilled over onto the international stage with groups and artists like Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Rebecca Malope. "The Rough Guide" brings together 22 powerful performances recorded over the last 40 years, in styles ranging from apostolic choirs to pop-influenced gospel divas. Some accompaniment. It's hard to pick favorites here, but "Bayahuba Abantwana" by St. Moses Choir, "Morena Boluka," by Amagugu Odumu, "Hamba Jona" by Michael Nkole & His Apostles, "Tumelo" by "I.P.C.C.," "Izindaba" by 12 Apostles Church Choir, ""There's Room Enough" by King's Messengers Quartet," "Hosanna Nkosi Yami" by Davey Angels, "Usizo Lwam" by Rebecca Malope, ""Ha Ba Tshela Jordane" by Holy Cross Choir, "Baba Wethu Singenile" by Ladysmith, "Ka Lifu Laka" by Z.C.C. Mukhukhu and "Wemngoma Lishonile" by Holy Spirits Choir are particularly wonderful. Spirited, joyful, rhythmic music from some of the best Gospel choirs and singers in the world that will have you singing along, boogying to the beat and feeling fine! Listen to There's Room Enough in Real Audio.
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African choirs are unique in the world of Christian music. The voices are amazingly full and expressive, the attack of the notes is unique, and the music is sung with an ecstasy which often seems lost to European traditions since the rigid codification of Gregorain schools. On this recording you will hear three choirs. Amahlokoloko performs only at its own church events in Natal, South Africa. Baswa Ba Tumelo is a choir of the Zionist Christian Church which is the largest single Christian denomination in South Africa. It's rare that the outside public it allowed access to their choral worship. The third choir, Amanxusa Ka Jesu, is a Zulu Church choir from Durban South Africa. This wonderful, worshipful song is a marvelous experience. (And a great recording!)
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Acoustix - "This Is The Moment" Boston Common - "Caroline" Bluegrass Student Union - "A Foggy Day" Main Event - "Long Ago and Far Away" Revival - "Sentimental Gentleman from Georgia" Keepsake - "Royal Garden Blues" Panache - "When October Goes" Fred - "Jungle Book" Chordiac Arrest - "Five-Oh-Two, Where Are You" Rumors - "Jeepers Creepers" Platinum - "WhatÕll I Do" Joker's Wild - "I Got A Gal In Kalamazoo" Weekend Edition - "Feels Like Home" The Gas House Gang - "Eine Kleine NOT Music" Marquis - "I Will Never Pass This Way Again" Ambiance - "Excerpts from "Rhapsody in Blue" |
Hot off the presses from our own record label comes a great collection of some of the finest barbershop quartets aptly named "Barbershop's Best".This is the first recording to feature a wide selection of both champion male and female quartets and includes some of the finest groups to ever perform in the barbershop style. These studio tracks were in great part selected by the groups themselves and represents, in their opinion, some of their finest work. Featured are cuts from Platinum, Acoustix, Ambiance, Boston Common, Bluegrass Student Union, Panache, Fred and Rumors and more. 16 great tracks.
| 2603 CD $14.98 |
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Yesterday I Heard the Rain - Realtime Birth Of The Blues - Realtime When You're Smilin' - Max Q This Little Went To The Market - Max Q It's The Girl - Metropolis I Only Have Eyes For You - Metropolis Baby Face - Riptide Come Fly With Me - OC Times Wonderful One - Vocal Spectrum I'm Always Chasing Rainbows - Saturday Evening Post Somebody Knows - 12th Street Rag Jazz Comes Up The River - Flipside In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening - State Line Grocery You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You - Wheelhouse A Wink And A Smile - 3 Men And A Melody Do You Really Love Me - Rounders From The First Hello To The Last Goodbye - Hot Air Buffoons Beautiful Baby - Rhythmix You're So Pretty - Rhythmix Never Say Never Again - Sterling Coney Island Baby - Reveille I'm In Love Again - Quest Them There Eyes - Quest |
We have the 2005 collection of The Barbershop Society international competition winners, featuring Gold medalists Realtime's "Story Of The Rose" and "Cry Me A River," Silver medalists Max Q's "This Little Piggie Went To Market" and "Steppin' Out With My Baby," and Bronze medalists (and Sweeps winners) Metropolis' "I Only Have Eyes for You" and "Love/Eyes (Medley)." Riptide, O.C. Times, Vocal Spectrum, Saturday Evening Post... hot selections from the top 20 Barbershop Quartets in the world, live from the electric Finals in Salt Lake City!
Listen to Yesterday I Heard the Rain by Realtime
| 5694 CD $14.98 |
| 5694 DVD $24.98 |
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The giant SPEBSQSA convention in Louisville, KY once again attracted the best barbershop groups in the world, with gold medals on their minds. There were only four of those medals, though, and they ended up around the necks of Gotcha!, who wowed all of us in the audience at the 2004 A Cappella Summit. They have two great cuts on "Top Twenty," the ringing "If I Had My Way" and "Play That Barbershop Chord," while all the other groups get a single cut. Silver was won by Max Q, who sing "When My Sugar Walks Down the Street," 3rd Place by Riptide's "From the First Hello To the Last Goodbye," 4th place by former Harmony Sweeps Winner Metropolis, who give us "Medley: I'm In Love Again/Them There Eyes," and 5th for Saturday Evening Post" who sing "Blues In The Night." There are actually 21 Top Quartets here, and there's not a weak cut on the entire CD!
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Montreal, Quebec hosted the giant 2003 SPEBSQSA International Barbershop Quartet Finals. Here we have the top twenty finishers with a song from their audience- and judges-pleasing performances. Arguably the best 20 male barbershop groups in the country, singing in the competition of their lives! Gold Medal winner was Power Play, Silver, Gotcha!, and Bronze was our friends and former Sweeps champs Metropolis, the top of a blue ribbon list of winners!
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Portland, Oregon, beautiful City of Roses, hosted the giant 2002 SPEBSQSA International Quartet and Chorus Finals. Here we have the top twenty finishers with a song from their audience- and judges-pleasing perfomances. Arguably the best 20 male barbershop groups in the country, singing in the competition of their lives! Gold Medal winner Four Voices and medalists Uptown Sound, Power Play and Riptide are at the top of a blue ribbon list of winners!
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Way Down Yonder in New Orleans / That Ain't Heaven, That's New Orleans - Keepsake Roses of Picardy - Keepsake I'm in Love Again / Them There Eyes - Gas House Gang Bright Was the Night - Gas House Gang If You Were the Only Girl - The Naturals Alabamy Bound / Alabama Jubilee - The Naturals Seaside Medley - 139th St Quartet Wait Til the Sun Shines, Nellie - 139th St Quartet If You Had All the World and Its Gorl - Joker's Wild Sweet Georgia Brown - Joker's Wild Caroline, I'm Coming Back to You - Bank Street I Don't Remember Her Name - Special Feature Tell Me You'll Forgive Me - Bingo Brothers Something to Write the Folks About - Knudsen Brothers The Rose of No Man's Land - Tulsa Tradition Mother's Boy - Nightlife Broken Hearted - Standing Room Only Last Night Was the End of the World - Ricochet The Best Times I've Ever Had (I Owe Em to My Good Old Dad) - Power Play Sunny SIde Up - Northwest Spirit It Won't Be Long Now/Ain't She Sweet - Esprit Let the Rest of the World Go By - Yesteryear There's A Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder - Rhythm and Rhyme Corabelle - The Untouchables Emaline - Seattle Sound |
| 5642 CD $14.98 |
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When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob Bobbin Along - The Ritz Old Songs Are Just Like Old Friends - The Ritz Is This Just Another Song About Love? - Keepsake How Could You Believe Me / It's A Sin to Tell a Lie - Keepsake So Long, Mother - Gas House Gang The Ride of My Life - Gas House Gang Loading Up the Mandy Lee - The Naturals My Gal Sal - The Naturals Crazy Words - Crazy Tune - 139th St Quartet Down by the Old Mill Stream - 139th St Quartet I'm Lonesome for You, Dear Old Pal - Bank Street I Was Born Seventy Years Too Late - Special Feature Chase the Rain Away - Tulsa Tradition Give My Regards to Broadway - Bustin' Loose My Buddy - Joker's Wild Together - Broadway When I See All the Loving They Waste on Babies - California Gentry I'm Looking Over A Four-Leaf Clover - Harmony Works Lost in the Heart of My Own Hometown - Northwest Spirit Together Parody - Chordiac Arrest The Church Bells Are Ringing for Mary - 4 U Hello! My Baby - Simply Grand The End of the Road - Reunion Alabamy Bound - Crackerjacks Sonny Boy - Esprit de Corps |
| 5643 CD $14.98 |
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SPEBSQSA. compiled this recording from its extensive archive of competition recordings. From the first song, "Hello! My Baby," sung by Second Edition (1989 International Champions), to the parting selection by the Ritz (1991 International Champions), "Toot, Toot, Tootsie," we are regaled with some of the greatest chorus and quartet performances ever recorded. The other groups included in this sixteen song compilation are Sidewinders, The Naturals, L.A. Tymes, Broadway, Southern Gateway Chorus, Interstate Rivals, Acoustix, The Vocal Majority and 139th Street Quartet. This is a fabulous lineup for great listening enjoyment! Songlist
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Sixteen songs, from "Bring Back Those Good Old Days/`I Want A Girl by Boston Common, "Row, Row Row" by The Ritz and "Irish Lullaby" by Acoustix to "My Wild Irish Rose" by The Naturals, "Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You" by Rural Route 4 and "California Here I Come" by Dealer's Choice. Mostly quartets, but there are a couple of very nice tunes by choruses, "Swanee" by the Louisville Thoroughbreds and "Alice Blue Gown" by The West Towns Chorus. It's all good, but the question remains€with all that great harmony, how did they pick 16 Favorites? Our favorite: "Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You," by Rural Route 4.
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This is the best deal ever offered in the world of barbershop recordings! You have nearly two and a half hours of live recordings of some of the best barbershop quartets in the world, presented in a three CD set. All the tracks were recorded at the various International Conventions from 1990-1996. The first disc has songs by The Naturals, The Ritz, Chicago Chord of Trade, Remember When, Basin Street, 139th Street Quartet, Bustin' Loose, Keepsake, The Gas House Gang, Joker's Wild, Bank Street, Rhythm and Rhyme and Seattle Sound. That's just the first disc! The recording engineers did a fabulous job of capturing the sound of all the groups. There's no such thing as off-mic here! For anyone with any degree of interest in barbershop singing, this set is a marvelous bargain.
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Looking at the wonderful pix of the top 10 Choruses at the International Chorus Finals in October 2005 in Detroit, we totally want to be there. Incredible costumes, joyous faces—dozens of beaming, beautiful women having big fun singing their hearts out, going for the Gold. That honor went to Scottsdale (AZ) Chorus, so consistently fine that they have entered 13 International competitions since 1976 and have placed no lower than 3rd, winning it all 4 times! Silver went to Pride of Baltimore Chorus, 3rd to Kansas City (MO) Chorus and 4th to Coastline Show Chorus of Providence, RI. This "best-of" compilation features 2 songs each for the 5th to 10th place finishers, beginning with Greater Nassau Chorus's "At A Georgia Camp Meeting," 3 songs each for 5th through 2nd place groups, and 4 songs for the Champs, as it should be! Favorites among these 26 tunes are Irving Berlin's "What'll I Do," by Scottsdale Chorus, Berlin's "How Deep Is the Ocean," by Pride of Baltimore, "Runnin' Wild," by Kansas City Chorus and "The Joint Is Jumpin'" by Coastline Show Chorus. Powerful harmonies, hitting on all cylinders from the Motor City!
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The first week of October, 2005 saw dozens of the best Sweet Adelines Quartets gather in Detroit, MI to compete for the coveted Gold Medals (and, we might add, really cool crowns) that are awarded to the best quartet in the known world! One of our favorite groups, Roseville, CA's Razzcals, took 4th, Elmhurst, IL's Four Bettys were 3rd, Huddinge, Sweden's Salt took the Silver, and four hometown girls, China, MI's Spotlight won it all! This CD features at least 2 songs each by the top 10 finishers, (#10 being Vox from Jarfalla, Sweden, one of 3 Swedish groups in the top 10), 3 songs each by #'s 4, 3 and 2, and 4 tunes by the Champs. Favorites among the 26 cuts are "My Foolish Heart" by Spotlight, "If I Were the Only Girl in the World" by Salt, "Kiss Me One More Time" by Four Bettys, and "Love Medley" by Razzcals. Nice color pix of the 10 groups in the liner notes.
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Dozens of top Sweet Adelines quartets descended on Phoenix, AZ in 2003, looking for gold, and here we have the 10 best. The tension builds as we begin with two tunes from Long Beach, CA's Persuasion, 10th place, followed by two from Arvada, CO's Ms. Behavin', and so on until we hear 3 tunes from 5th place winners, Stockholm, Sweden's Remix, 3 from one of our favorites, Roseville, CA's Razzcals, Sweden's Salt, Ann Arbor, MI's Spotlight, and finally 4 tunes from Vancouver BC's Brava!, "Toot Toot Tootsie," "I Will Love You 'Til The End Of Time," "A Tree In The Meadow" and "Angry/Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home." Great music and all the excitement of this huge, live competition!
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Beautiful Phoenix, AZ was graced in 2003 by a gentle invasion of Sweet Adelines Choruses, all intent on capturing the gold. In the end, Northbrook, IL's Melodeers Chorus got to wear those golden necklaces, Pride of Baltimore Chorus placed second and Richardson TX's Rich-Tone Chorus placed third. The CD begins with two songs from 10th place finisher Spirit of Detroit Chorus, and two from Providence, RI's Coastline Show Chorus, and so on until 5th place finisher Toast of Tampa Show Chorus brings us 3 tunes. Finally the Melodeers perform four tunes from their winning set, "How Many Hearts Have You Broken," "If I Give My Heart To You," "My Melancholy Baby" and "Lulu's Back In Town," clearly saving the best for last. All the excitement of the live competition, and the best Sweet Adelines choruses in the world!
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Nashville was the lucky city to host the 2002 Sweet Adelines International Quartet competition, and Swinglish Mix won it all, followed closely by Brava, Spotlight, Razzcals, and ReMix. Included on this CD are the top 10 finishers, with 4 songs by the champs, 3 each by the 4 runners-up, and two each by the rest of the top 10. The best cuts from a magical competition in Nashville!
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After the final harmonious chord of a spirited Sweet Adelines International Chorus competition in Nashville, North Metro Chorus was wearing the gold, followed by Gem City, Scottsdale Chorus, Harborlites and Pacific Sound. We get to hear 4 tunes from the winners, 3 each from the 4 runners-up and 2 each from the rest of the top ten. Simply the best from the great Nashville convention!
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The City of RosesÇPortland, Oregon, had the very good fortune to host the 2001 Sweet Adelines convention, and the quartet performances were better than ever. Congratulations to Fanatix, International Gold Medal winners for 2001! Hot on their heels were Brava!, Swinglish Mix, the Razzcals, Voices Only, Night Magic, Salt, Spotlight, Remix and Surround Sound. This CD features songs from all the top 10 finalists, and it's great stuff!
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The world's best Sweet Adelines choruses descended upon the lovely city of Portland, Oregon, to compete for Gold, and the San Diego Chorus, directed by Kim Hulbert, was named International Champion! This generous CD features songs by the top ten choruses, including Rich-Tone Chorus, Pride of Baltimore Chorus, Ronninge Show Chorus, Bay Area Showcase, Kansas City Chorus, the Choral-aires, Pride of Toledo Chorus, Mountain Jubilee and Pride of Portland Chorus. Listening to all this great music, all we can say is it must be tough to be a judge!
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Breezin' Along With The Breeze - Revelers The Whisper Song - California Humingbirds Too Busy! - The Four Rajahs Dear, On A Night Like This - Cavaliers Quartet That's My Weakness Now - Rhythm Boys The Girl In The Green Hat - Four Musketeers At The Baby Parade - Harmonians Quartet Sweet Jennie Lee! - Big Four Dinah- Cole Brothers Oh! By Jingo - Three Keys Stormy Weather - Three Admirals Cuban Tango - Seven Sing Sisters America Calling- Medley - Carlyle Cousin Trio Why Don't You Practice What You Preach - Boswell Sisters In The Shade Of The Old Apple-Tree - Four Aces Caravan - Mills Brothers Everybody Step! - Three Peters Sisters Mandy - Four Modernaires Bidin' My Time - Foursome Undecided - Dandridge Sisters Tuxedo Junction - Andrews Sisters Shakespeare In Rhythm - Cavendish Trio Java Jive - Ink Spots Breathless - Merry Macs Auf Wiederseh'n, My Dear - Comedy Harmonists |
Mandatory for fans of vintage vocal jazz, this delightful collection also documents the musical evolution of the genre with great groups such as the Mills Bros., Andrews Sisters and Dandridge Sisters, as well as many less famous but still important ensembles. "Caravan," "Tuxedo Junction," " Java Jive" and "Stormy Weather" are included, but it's equally a treat to hear "That's My Weakness Now," (The Rhythm Boys, who had Bing Crosby as a member) or the silly humor of "The Girl In the Little Green Hat." All tracks are accompanied.
| 4308 CD $14.98 |
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This two CD collection is a great value, containing over 50 tracks from the top vocal groups of the 1940's. Some rare tracks here as well including The Stardusters, Snowflakes and The Song Spinners along with many of the big hits of the era. This is a well-put together compilation and listeners well really get the feel for this great period for vocal harmony groups.
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Subtitled "Early Vocal Groups 1935-1944," this CD presents the creme de la creme of talent with a unique twist: these recordings were made specifically for radio broadcast, and delivered on a sixteen inch record format designed to be played only once! Many of these radio programs were distributed to armed forces radio around the world. One particular such program was called "Jubilee" and featured the best-known black vocal harmony groups: Ink Spots, Delta Rhythm Boys, Golden Gate Quartet and Deep River Boys. These were the first "pop" artists and their songs convey the essence of the 1940's as much as anything could, though paradoxically, the sound they crafted (combining big band swing with gospel and blues), is timeless. Listen to the arrangement of the Charioteers' "Slip Of The Lip": it's melodic subject, or hook, is simple, but it's developed so creatively that the song builds from start to finish. Added bonus is the announcer's voiceover introductions.
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"That's The Rhythm" is a delicious collection of 20 examples of Black vocal group harmony from the early 1930s to the early 1950s, all at least lightly accompanied. The watershed moment for these groups was the rise of network radio, which made immediate stars of the Mills Brothers and the Ink Spots. By 1945 there were three routes an aspiring group could take, the "jubilee" gospel style of the Golden Gate Quartet, which enjoyed a crossover appeal, the jump/jive stylings of the Four Vagabonds, which had an almost entirely Black following, or going into the pop crossover stylings of the Ink Spots/Mills Brothers, whose huge success was due to the support of a vast white audience. So many treats: The Three Keys' cartoon-like "Somebody Stole Gabriel's Horn," Three Sharps and a Flat's wonderful title tune, the raunchy, double-entendre "Garbage Man" by the Four Aces, the very funny "Wig Blues" by The Melody Masters, who also star on "Subway Cutie," The Four Vagabonds' swinging "Choo Choo," The Four Blues' boogie-woogie anthem "It Takes A Long Tall Brown Skinned Girl," the Four Knights' sweet "Wrapped Up In A Dream," The Three Riffs' silly "Cherry In My Lemon And Lime," The Beavers' torch song "I'd Rather Be Wrong Than Blue"—these are unknown musical treasures on many levels. Funny, poignant, hip, romantic—it's all here, and some of the sweetest leads and harmonies you could imagine. We love this collection!
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Twenty examples of the many styles of Black vocal group harmony from the early 30's to the early Fifties . Beginning with the jump and jive sounds of the earliest groups to record in the 1930's to those recordings made in the late forties and early 1950's when the sound had truly began it's journey down the road to doo wop.
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Another 21 examples of the many styles of black vocal group harmony. Volume 3 concentrates exclusively on records cut in the 1940s. These groups are much closer in spirit to the real Doo Wop of the 1950s. Featured too are some examples of vocal groups who operated within big bands. Most tracks are making their CD debut here.
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These are some of the very earliest recordings Black vocal groups and is an outstanding example of the genre including vaudeville, blues and spirituals sung in both the "old style" with its integrated parts blending smoothly as if sung by one person, and the "new" with its foregrounding of wailing, blue notes and syncopation. The most well known groups here come from the incredibly fertile area of Norfolk Virginia, known for its astonishing number of vocal quartets in the 1920's and 30's. In all there is plenty of top-notch material here for lovers of pre-war vocal groups, with some churning quartet blues recordings that are irresistible.
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This second volume moves us chronologically into the 1930's, a time when slicker, smoother, more polished and sophisticated vocal groups were gaining ascendancy in pop quarters. The groups included here show some of the barbershop stylings and imitations of instruments made popular at the time by groups such as the Mills Brothers. These groups were capturing the imaginations of popular fans and Harlem hipsters alike with their smooth, sweet and sometimes swinging harmonies.
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While students of American a cappella history can find many re-issues of gospel groups from the 1930's and beyond, this import from Austria is one of the few that captures the music from the roaring '20s. Of the four groups represented here, The Sunset Four were most productive with 13 of the 25 songs on CD They have snippets of future bass imitation on 'Jerusalem Morn' and barbershop - like chord ringing on 'Didn't He Ramble.' But perhaps 'Barnum's Steam Calliope' is most notable, for its unique vocal imitation of the famed circus instrument. The audio quality reflects the fact that old (and sometimes scratched) '78s were used to make the CD, but anyone interested in early 20th Century a cappella will happily overlook those flaws because of the unique performances captured here, all but two are a cappella.
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This is an impressive two-CD set of some of the finest a cappella groups in Africa, including Ladysmith, Baswa Ba Tumelo (South African Zionist Church Choir), Zyac Choir (Zulu Church group), Maogane A Tumelo (N. Sotho Zion Church choir), Majalefa A Morena (South Sotho Choir), and ten others, including the Zulu a cappella group The King Star Brothers. There are 30 authentic tunes here, 15 on each side, sung by groups that are, individually, and collectively, the heart and soul of Africa. This is an important collection on many levels, and enjoyable for the listener fairly new to African music as well as to say, a Ladysmith fan who wants to hear some of the lesser-known, but often equally amazing, voices from Africa.
| 6742 2 CDs $17.98 |
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All the singers on this recording are called Revival Singers as they learned to love and perform traditional songs from the folk song revival. Generally speaking, they are folk musicologists, learning from text as well as recordings and other musicians. The album does not seek to present a complete variety of traditional song for the singers were simply asked to contribute a song of their choice. The sources include songs from early historic collections, the continuing families of singing tradition such as the Coppers from Sussex, and from well known contemporary singers. You'll find Maddy Prior, The Watersons, A.L. Lloyd, Frankie Armstrong, Martin Carthy, Swan Arcade and June Tabor to be among the best known names outside of the British Isles who are included among the two dozen artists. This is the best recording that we know of unaccompanied British folk music.
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Irish traditional singing has made an important contribution to the popular repertoire as well as to folk tradition. Irish Voices brings together 17 brilliant vocal performances, some recent and some classics from the archive. Included are earlier singing styles such as "Sean-Nos," the still ornamented (but more accesible) styles of singers like Paddy Tunney, the group harmony singing of The McPeake Family of Belfast and such current musical hotshot groups as Patrick Street and Four Men And A Dog.
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David Fanshawe presents important highlights from his monumental Pacific Collection, recorded over fourteen year (1978-92). The album focuses on the rich variety of authentic himene (hymns) indigenous to Tahiti, the Cook Islands, the Society Islands and others. The 44-page booklet provides extensive information about the music, transcriptions and translations of the lyrics and is richly illustrated with colour photos.
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This CD presents the miracle of the unique vocal tradition and compelling choral arrangements of Corsica and Sardinia. On both these islands, a unique choral tradition has developed over the centuries. The repertoire includes religious songs, folk songs, love songs, shepherd’s songs, and madrigals from several centuries. The polyphonic singing of Sardinia and Corsica is virtually unknown in the rest of Europe. An article in the leading German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung described this music as an "infinite wonder of tonal beauty and archaic phrasing" and went on to claim that "the musical development often has something of the majestic architectural quality of a liturgical chant." The collection presents Sardinia’s five leading choirs, collected during a WDR recording tour, and the launneddas playing of Luigi Lai. The Tenores di Bitti, currently recording in Peter Gabriel’s Realworld-Studios, were greatly admired by none other than Frank Zappa. The revival of traditional culture by Canta u Populu Corsu & A Filleta has contributed towards a new Corsican self-awareness. The five singers of Donnisulana, outstanding soloists of Corsican polyphonic music, are the islands’ only female choir.
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This recording is a historical wonder, particularly valuable for putting the music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo in context. One of the obvious distinctions of mbube groups were who sang soprano parts in the absence of women. The earliest of the recordings is from 1932 and the history extends to 1967, ending with the song, "Umama Lo" by Ladysmith Mambazo which is a transcription of their first radio appearance. They didn't record their first album until six years later. The other most notable recording is the 1939 recording of "Mbube" by Solomon Linda's Original Evening Birds. This was the song which became "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" when western artists tried to phonetically recreate what they heard from the reco |