Masterworks Series Association of International Champions brings us one of their popular, generous, "best-of" compilations of the work of a Barbershop Harmony Society Gold Medal winner, in this case, 29 songs by 1985 champs The New Tradition. They won the Gold in Marx Brothers costumes, and begin this collection with "Marx Brothers Opener" and "Lydia, the Tattooed Lady," continuing with favorites "Tuxedo Junction," "I Used To Call Her Baby," "Air Medley," "Anti-Marriage Medley," "World War I Medley," "Showbiz Medley," "That Charlie Chaplin Walk," "Star Trek Opener," "Enterprise Medley" and "Barbershoppers Parody." This is all very funny stuff, sung with the ringing harmonies and soaring leads we would expect from Barbershop Harmony Society champions. In short, this album is great entertainment from the first cut to the last, from The New Tradition, one of the most innovative and funniest Barbershop International Champions!

Songlist: Gentlemen, Hello! (intro), Marx Brothers Opener, Carnival Barker (intro), Lydia, The Tattooed Lady, Jeepers Creepers, Tuxedo Junction, I Want You To Be My Sweetheart, I Used To Call Her Baby, Air Medley, Anti-Marriage Medley, Having To Say Goodbye (intro), So Long Mother, World War I Medley, Once in a While, Smile, Parade Medley, I'm So Alone With A Crowd, Trickle Trickle, It Was Almost Like A Song, Hallelujah Barbershop!, Showbiz Medley, That Charlie Chaplin Walk, Heart of a Clown, When I'm Sixty-Four, Be a Clown/ Send in the Clowns, Star Trek Opener, Enterprise Medley, Star Trek (dialogue), Barbershoppers Parody, Star Trek Opener

If you're not comfortable laughing out loud, maybe you should pass this one by. I guess you could always shut your ears during the gags and just listen to these 1985 International Champions sing. You see, they're entertainers. The award winning singing is the basis of the act but the goal of these four is to bring joy and laughter into the world. Along the way to this goal they become the Marx Brothers and their gags are just as goofy as the originals. Spoofing the members of Star Trek will bring delight to Trekkies and Anti-Trakkies alike. It is a double CD release. The first disc is a reissue of their two albums. The second is a series of surprises from live performances. Though it sounds as though it was recorded from the audience, a piece simply called "Trombones" features all the members on vocal trombone and is wonderful in spite of the fidelity. As we love both laughter and song, this gets our enthusiastic recomendation!

Songlist: Gentlemen, Hello!, The Marx Brothers Opener, Carnival Barker(intro), Lydia (The Tattooed Lady), Jeepers Creepers, Tuxedo Junction, I Want You To Be My Sweetheart, I Used To Call Her Baby, Air Medley, Anti-Marriage Medley, Having To Say Goodbye (intro), So Long Mother, World War One Medley, Once In A While, Smile, Parade Medley, I'm So Alone With A Crowd, Trickle Trickle, It Was Almost Like A Song, Hallelujah, Barbershop!, Showbiz Medley, That Charlie Chaplin Walk, If I Had The Heart Of A Clown, When I'm Sixty-Four, Clown Medley