'Promised Land' gives the 12 leading choral directors who form M.E.N. a chance to get their musical teeth into some of the great songs in American history. They are divided into groups: Hymns, such as 'Promised Land' and 'Rise Up, O Men of God,' Spirituals, such as 'The Gift To Be Simple' and 'Joshua,' Songs of the Civil War, 'Waiting for the Dawn of Peace (Tenting Tonight),' Songs of the West, such as 'Streets of Laredo' and 'Colorado Trail,' Songs of the Sea, such as 'Blow the Candles Out' and 'Mary Ann,' and American Television Themes, 'Television Medley' and 'Lonesome Road.' 20 songs in all. A powerful, moving collection of the best of our musical heritage!

If you were to assemble a Who's Who of choral conductors, teachers and singers of northwestern United States, you could just start with the Male Ensemble Northwest. This unique chorus apply their talents on this recording to singing some of the best known of the over 6,000 choral arrangements of Norman Luboff, one of the greatest arrangers of the twentieth century. In recreating the lush 'Luboff sound' the ensemble also uses instrumental accompaniment similar to that found in the original performances of these arrangements. Old familiars such as 'Dream A Little Dream,' 'Yellow Bird,' 'Rio Grande,' and 'Lowlands' will rekindle the joy of reminiscence and share anew some of the work from a unique mover and shaker of the choral world.

Unique among musical groups, M.E.N. is comprised of 12 leading choral directors from throughout the Pacific Northwest, each man an active conductor, clinician and educator in choral music. The wealth of knowledge they bring to this fine recording of 19 Christmas standards is beautifully clear from the first few notes. The songs: 'Medieval Gloria,' 'Angelus ad virginem,' 'Hodie,' 'Pat a Pan,' 'Coventry Carol,' 'Sing Softly, For There He Sleeps,' 'In a Manger Lowly Lay,' 'O Hearken Ye,' 'Caroling, Caroling,' 'Deck The Hall,' 'I Saw Three Ships,' 'What Child Is This,' 'Sing We Now Of Christmas,' 'Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant,' 'A La Nanita Nana,' 'Silent Night,' 'The Christmas Song,' 'White Christmas' and 'Reflections of Him.' A very special Christmas CD!

14-strong M.E.N. was formed in Longview, Washington in 1982, by choral musician and educator Howard Meharg. His mission was 'to celebrate the art of male choral singing, to inspire men of all ages to musical artistry, and to encourage young men in leadership and example among their colleagues in music.' The ensemble has been honored by invitations to sing as state, regional and national conventions of the ACDA. Unique among male choruses, each member of Male Ensemble Northwest is a conductor as well as an outstanding vocal musician. There are 13 richly harmonic tunes here, some of our favorites are some spiritual tunes, 'Shout for Joy,' 'Alleluia,' 'When I Hear The Trumpet Sound,' 'City Called Heaven;' and Andrew Crouch's 'Soon and Very Soon' (arranged by Randy Crenshaw); a pair of Lennon/McCartney songs, 'I Will' and 'Eleanor Rigby;' 5 Celtic Folk songs by Vijay Singh, 'Timor et Tremor,' 'Fergus an' Molly,' 'Lament of a Fisher's Wife' and the delightful 'Finnan Haddie;' 'Sweet Rivers' and the lovely, traditional 'Irish Blessing.' There is occasional light piano and guitar accompaniment, but the voices, with their rich, bright harmonies, are the focus here. Powerful, beautiful material from this talented, veteran men's chorus!

Listen to I Will in RealAudio.