Tonic Sol Fa a cappella group

Tonic Sol-fa is one of the hottest performing musical groups to come out of the Midwest, ignighting crowds from coast to coast. Last year alone, this all vocal quintet performed at over 200 shows in 32 states for sold out audiences of all ages and musical tastes. Critics halied this fivesome as "a hip mixture of Tony Bennett and Reality Bites", with "boy next door personalities". A typical Tonic So-fa show is packed with audience interaction and energy, and includes a little of everything from modern pop hits to classic oldies, country, award-winning originals, even comedy parodies and cartoons.

Discography

On Top Of The World

Probably the most rocking and swinging holiday release of the 2007 season this is one fun a cappella Christmas recording. Along with a number of traditional holiday classics the group has written some great original tunes including the infectious “King of Glory”, “On This Christmas Night” and the delightful “Come To Save The World”. Always known for their high-energy concerts and dynamic stage presence this recording also demonstrates their considerable arranging skills as well. “Happy Holiday”, the another Irving Berlin classic, gets a wonderful treatment as does the upbeat “Ay Ay Ay It’s Christmas”. “Rockin’ on Top of the World” will have you dancing around the Christmas tree and the recording closes with a sweet live version of “Baby King”.

Boston to Beijing

As we listen to hot Contemporary quartet Tonic's wonderful cover of Willie Dixon's "29 Ways To My Baby's Door," it's clear that these four attractive, hard-working, personable young men (down from 5) have many more than 29 ways to please audiences! We'd havee to count their tour schedule of hundreds of energetic, live, sold-out shows in 32 states that feature pop hits, country songs, classic oldies, award-winning originals, parodies and audience interaction. Then we'd have to add some winning CDs like "By Request," "Red Vinyl," "Style," "Sugarue," "Left Turn In Cross Traffic" and others. And last, but far from least, we have to add the 12 songs of "Boston to Beijing," Mark, Shaun, Greg and Jared's latest and best. Nashville's powerful Vivaton Records, with their substantial backing, state of the art recording studio, have decided the boys are stars (which we have known all along), and "Boston" is getting serious mention in the mainstream media. Six originals, the very top-40 title tune, "Sleep On," "Who Wants to Go," "Oklahoma Wind" (which is a country hit waiting to happen), "So Easy" and "Other Side of Town." Add a poignant cover of "Chances," Wayne Kirkpatrick's "It's Me Again," a rock-solid, funky arrangement of the Doobie's "Takin' It To The Streets" and J.D. Crowley's song of faith, "Grace," which has the refrain, "It was Grace that brought me here." Yes, but the touring, recording and everything Tonic has done to turn themselves into some of most exciting, audience-pleasing a cappella singers on the planet also helped and we couldn't be happier for them! Some non-vocal percussion, but who cares—"Boston" is one of the best a cappella CDs of the year.

By Request

One of our favorite Contemporary groups, Greg, Shaun, Mark and Jared have been coming up with great CDs since 1996's "Left Turns"«particularly fine are 1997's Christmas album, "Carol," 2001's "Style," 2002's "Sugarue" and 2003's "Red Vinyl." We look at "By Request" as yet another showpiece of why Tonic is one of the most dynamic a cappella groups in the world, and why they need to be recognized as major stars! The 10-song songlist in the liner notes is presented as a Top 40 Radio Requests list, with five new songs, "Chances," Chips' "At The Dark End of the Street," "Until Forever's Gone," Josh Turner's "Long Black Train," and Willie Dixon's smoking "29 Ways to My Baby's Door." The guys simply nail "29," one of the best songs we've heard this year. The other five, Simon & Garfunkle's "Cecelia," Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," the manic country hit "Sold," Marty Robbins' western classic "El Paso," and "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" have appeared on other CDs, but they are well-chosen hits, surely some of group's best stuff. Top-drawer arrangements, and a depth of sound amazing for a quartetì"By Request" is another impressive winner for Tonic Sol-Fa!

Red Vinyl

Paving their rising career with excellent CDs, from 1996's "Left Turns," "Carol," ('97), 2001's "Style," 2002's Xmas CD "Sugarue" to "Red Vinyl," TSF, one of our favorite Contemporary groups, may have found their breakthrough CD. Ten songs, all originals by group member Shaun Johnson except for a strong cover of "A Little Less Conversation," "Red" features some of the best vocal percussion we've heard, smooth, rich harmoniesãthere's not a weak cut on the CD. Particular favorites are "Sleep On," "Apartment 204," the rap-flavored, sampled "Velvet Jefferson," "Boston to Beijing," "Sweet Time" and "Who Will Love Me." What's amazing is the fullness of the sound these four men can create together, and the feeling in the lyrics. This is great stuff!

Style

Tonic Sol-Fa is Mark McGowan, Shaun Johnson, Greg Bannwarth, and Jared Dove, this is their 4th CD, and these guys are total pros! Hot vocal percussion, smooth, sweet melodies & harmonies, tight, innovative arrangementsÇTonic Sol Fa has it all. "Na Na Na is the kind of hit that made Rockapella famousÇone that grabs you from the first note, carries you along and drops you off a couple minutes later, breathless and grinning. "Love You Forever " is sweet and melodic with cool little Motown samples. "Eleanor Rigby" is a driving, soaring tour de force. "Man of Constant Sorrow" is a foot-stomping 30s barn dance of a song. "Ready Made" is a macho anthem that struts, swaggers and pleases. "Land of 1000 Dreams" has some great sampling, including Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Something." "Go Tell It On The Mountain" would have had the apostles up and boogying. We'd love to see TSL liveÇthese four guys are on the road to stardom!

Sugarue

The hard working Contemporary male quartet Tonic Sol Fa brings us an envelope-pushing Christmas CD, "Sugarue." They took eight traditional carols, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "Joy to the World," "Joseph's Song," "I Saw Three Ships," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "The First Noel," "Silent Night," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "The Little Drummer Boy," and added strong vocal percussion, jazzy arrangements and their own blend of butter-smooth harmonies. To this they added a pair of original Christmas songs, "Joseph's Song" and "Sno" written by group member Shaun Johnson. The result is as fresh as a new-fallen snow-but let there be no mistake, the feeling and love that is at the heart of all these carols is still abundantly there. Sugarue is a treat, and it has our early vote for best Christmas CD of the year!

Christmas (DVD)

Joy To The World
Come To Save The World
Baby King
Adeste Fideles
Ay Ay Ay It's Christmas
We Owe Them More Than That
On This Christmas Night
King Of Glory
Santa Bring Me My Baby Back To Me
Up On The Housetop
Chances
Long Black Train
29 Ways To My Baby's Door
Nuttin' For Christmas
Silent Night
God Rest Ye Merry Genltmen
Little Drummer Boy
Grace

Recorded live from Minneapolis's Orchestra Hall at the culmination of one of their always-sold-out Christmas concerts this DVD finds the award-winning a cappella group returning to its musical roots to deliver what the Pioneer Press calls "..an event as much a party as a concert." "A fine blend, a driving sense of rhythm, and a pitch that's right on target", this DVD puts you front row at the holiday event where Tonic Sol-fa, "…filled the air with a marvelous variety of musical textures."

1220 DVD $19.95

Tonic Sol-fa: Promotional Video

Get a taste of one of the busiest most talented a cappella groups performing today (3.01)

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