Intricate arrangements and big and bold orchestrations, featuring saxophonist Richie Cole, characterize this six piece mixed group's sound, a pleasing mix of old and new jazz influences. The sound is suggestive of the Singers Unlimited in terms of complexity, though on 'Waltz For Debby' and the tour-de-force (written by Clare Fischer) 'The Quiet Side,' the richness of the voicings invites comparisons to the Real Group. Speaking of 'The Quiet Side,' it is a seven minute exploration of form and tonality that begins a cappella, segues into a mid-tempo accompanied section that escalates in intensity using scat as it's medium, through an ascending sequence that descends again to the original introduction. 'Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars' takes a vocal percussion idea which then evolves into a sultry duet with shimmering backups, 'C'est Si Bon' is a throaty and suggestive interplay between voice and flugelhorn, with the horn part equal in importance to the arrangement. 'Johnny One Note' is the Gene Puerling arrangement. A highly enjoyable and accomplished collection.

Formed in 1982 by students of the esteemed director Phil Mattson, members of the P.M. Singers became identified with the Phil Mattson School and many have gone on to great professional and academic success in their own right. (Two examples are Joe Finetti, who now sings with The Bobs, and Michele Weir, a respected educator and arranger.) This mixed group has the talent and range to master the most technical of charts, as well as the warmth and emotion to stir the heart-witness'A Child Is Born,' with a facile piano accompaniment by Phil Mattson himself, who plays keyboards throughout. Many of the arrangements allow one voice to solo, adding and subtracting harmonies for interest and variety. 'I'll BeSeeing You' is a cappella and allows the melody to shine, gradually opening up the song with a frugal harmony that never interferes, but builds to a subtle crescendo and then resolves to an elegant closing cadence, the lead voice holding the final note while the lower parts complete the subject. A pleasure to listen to and a model of arranging virtuosity.

A 2 CD collection of some of the best and most memorable music from this top notch collegiate a cappella groups. Spanning 15 years from 1981 - 1996 these recordings are guaranteed to please.

The Fleet Street Singers have been a favorite amongst collegiate A Cappella listeners for years. On this, their new recording, they will certainly add to their legion of fans. The opening cut, 'Web Surfin'', complete with So Cal surfer boy background vocals and handclaps, parodies the cybergeek (Fleet Street, who attend Stanford, have no compunction whatsoever at lampooning themselves at every opportunity). Fleet Street's performance is high energy and full of enthusiasm-any group that does an a cappella rendition of The Rocky Horror Picture Show's 'Time Warp' (featuring Dr. Frankfurter's signature leering delivery) goes to the head of class, in our opinion. However, Fleet Street is not only about sardonic humor. Their arrangement of 'Greensleeves' is restrained and accomplished, allowing the beauty of the song to take center stage. They also treat us to Abba's 'Dancing Queen,' and while a few of the high notes don't quite clear the bar, we give them kudos for the attempt. We are pleased to offer 'All the Rage' as a worthy addition to your collegiate a cappella collection.

A paean to Stanford University, subtitled 'a century of Cardinal favorites,' romanticizing the Stanford legend, and performed by the fourteen capable and tuneful voices of the Fleet Street Singers, with guests the Junior University Marching Band on two tracks - the 'Stanford Spellout,' followed by 'All Right Now.' 'Hail Alma Mater' is completely sincere, only to be followed by the 'Stanford Hymn Rap,' which has a rhythm track and a boisterous rap vocal. Many of the songs are sports oriented, celebrating victories past, present and hoped-for. However, what collegiate career would be complete without love? 'Full Moon At The Quad' describes love, Stanford-style: a charming stylistic collage, it could be a parody, or it could be real. We can't quite tell!

The 11-strong all male SFSS has a lot of the funny, crazy energy of the famous Stanford Marching Band. Just listen to 'Greatest Hits of the 1590s' in which such lyrics as 'We will, we will rock you' are sung as 1590s chorales, to hilarious effect. Next, the funny calypso classic 'Devil Woman,' then the guys murder 'Fearless.' A profound 'Georgia On My Mind,' arranged by Gene Puerling. 'Zip-a-dee-doo-dah' slips into minor chords and Satanism. 'Revenge of the Nerds' has new words by Colin Ritter, and kicks butt. A driving, tongue-in-cheek 'Flashdance,' a sentimental 'Loch Lomond,' and a twisted return to elementary school in 'Schoolhouse Rock.' We'd love to see them live!

The New Varsity Quintet was formed in 2000 in Barcelona by 5 slightly inebriated members of the Whiffenpoofs, Yale's celebrated male chorus, who, not wanting to 'pass and be forgotten like the rest,' decided a new, intimate quartet was needed to celebrate Yale's 300th anniversary in flawless harmony. The five, pictured in the liner notes, holding engraved silver trophies and standing in front of a wall of ancient Yale plaques and photos, have the kind of butter-smooth harmonies and exuberance (and love for heartstring-tugging nostalgia) we usually only find in medal-winning barbershop groups. 13 songs are here: 'We Meet Again To-night,' 'Mavourneen,' ''Neath the Elms,' 'Eli Yale,' 'Aura Lee,' 'Mother of Men,' the very funny 'Daddy is a Yale Man' and 'The Battle of the Books,' 'Brave Mother Yale,' 'Wake, Freshmen, Wake,' 'College Fight Song Medley, 'Shall I, Wasting In Despair?' and 'Bright College Years.' Alumni and lovers of Yale, lovers of traditional American collegiate and folk music, and anyone who has ever seriously sung, in harmony, a line like 'Bulldog, Bulldog, Bow Wow Wow,' will cherish a copy of 'Songs!'

Stanford University's elite 15-man a cappella ensemble brings us 'Fleet Street,' a manic, dramatic, surprising, very funny collection of 15 originals, written, arranged and performed by the group. 'The King of Plumland,' 'All Original,' 'Life Sized Barbie' puts the lie to the contention that there's no dating at Stanford; 'Everyone Pees in the Shower' shines the harsh light of truth on humanity's dirty little secret; 'Love Song' is a tender tale of kisses, double homicide and bodies under the floor; 'Lawyer' is a crazed tale of what we all suspect goes on behind the scenes at 'Boston Legal,' 'Olympic Recession,' 'Losing Laura,' 'Clear Skies,' 'Teen Angst' basically beats the concept to death, 'Pokey the Penguin' is pure children's book silliness, 'Life' describes your life in such a way that suicide is really the only option, 'Gift of the Gods/The Dawn of Battle' and the final cut, 'The Lords of A Cappella,' with the deathless chorus line: 'Although we may seem fearsome, we ain't got Salmonella, and we are the Lords of A Cappella!' This is inspired silliness, written especially by Michael Solomon, Michael Bernstein and others. 'Fleet Street' is funny stuff that must either be enjoyed in a live performance with a pitcher of beer, or on this CD! All lyrics are featured on the foldout liner notes, which have a full-bleed closeup of a hunk of swiss cheese (don't ask!)

A must-have for choral-aficionados everywhere! Perhaps the world's finest a cappella ensemble The King's Singers join forces with The Concordia Choir - one of the USA's best collegiate choirs - to perform works by by some of the best composers of the day Eric Whitacre, Bob Chilcott and Morten Lauridsen. One would have high expectations of such a stellar combination and this recordings amply fills those expectations and more. Included here is The King's Singers' more considered interpretation of ''Lux Aurumque', alongside their witty version of Chilcott's settings of poems by cummings, Joyce, Larkin and Raleigh in 'Even Such Is Time'. A standout is The Concordia Choir's rendition of Whitacre's 'Cloudburst' which thrills.

A 1992 re-release on the Specialty label, which was founded by Art Rupe in 1946. The Meditation Singers, led by Earnestine Rundless, began their performing career in 1947, at the New Liberty Baptist Church in Detroit. This four member group initially started with four women, including Della Reese, who eventually left for a career in pop. Later members included tenor and composer James Cleveland, and soul chanteuse Laura Lee. It's Earnestine's sandpaper and gravel shout, however, that delivers the goods, as heard on 'God Is Good To Me' and most of the tunes on this recording. The Meditation Singers continued touring through the 1980's, and they are the genuine article of the golden era of gospel.

Here's a great selection of classic Swingle Singers at an excellent price. Box set includes four otherwise out-of-print album releases including A Cappella Amadeus, Bach Hits Bach, 1812 and Around The World. A collection of top notch vocal jazz with those fabulous arrangements that define the 'Swingle Sound'.

The Swingles, the mixed-voice world-class, multiple Grammy-winning, legendary a cappella octet from London and one of our favorite Vocal Jazz groups of all time, originally broke into the Jazz scene of 1963 because of Ward Swingle's innovation. He handed his group of session singers charts for an instrumental, Bach's 'Well-Tempered Clavier,' which led to their double Grammy hit album 'Bach's Greatest Hits.' There is this kind of innovation and artistry on 'Ferris Wheels,' which comes from the Joni Mitchell hit 'Both Sides Now' ('Moons and Junes and Ferris Wheels, the dizzy, dancing way you feel'), the second of 12 wonderfully crafted songs on the album. The ethereal 'Unravel,' James Taylor's lazy-day, bluesy 'On the 4th of July,' the exquisite French adaption of the theme from 'Summer of '42,' 'L'Ete 42,' Nick Drake's stunning bluenote 'River Man,' Sting's powerful, waltzlike 'Until,' and a symphonic arrangement of Lennon/McCartney's 'Eleanor Rigby' by group member Kevin Fox (who also sings lead on it). David Freeman and Joseph Hughs' 'No More I Love Yous,' Stevie Wonder's 'Summer Soft,' Billy Joel's 'Goodnight My Angel' and Brian Wilson's 'God Only Knows' are all beautifully arranged and performed. 'Ferris Wheels' is a masterpiece by the Swingles that touches and satisfies on many levels. One of the best Jazz/Pop albums of the year and highly recommended!

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A collection of songs reflecting tradition and history that proves to be timeless. Derric Johnson is a well known arranger of Americana and his genius is spotlighted 6 times on this collection including 'America the Beautiful', 'Shenandoah', 'The Star Spangled Banner', and 'Oh, Suzanna'. Giving a little room for others arrangers such as Robert Shaw's 'Set Down Servant' and Pat Ballard's 'Mr. Sandman' is necessary, as they are also quite enjoyable. Impressions are made with the simplicity of these recordings, yet coupled with the echoing sound of a Cathedral gives the feeling of wholeness and serenity. The voices of the Acappella Singers are smooth, crisp and clear with the talented direction of Ronald Boender.

Following the inspiration of acappella arrangers Derric Johnson and Norman Luboff, Ronald Boender formed this 24 voice, mixed ensemble dedicated to performing the best of folk, sacred, Americana, and Christmas acappella. Since 1994, the Acappella Singers have built a solid repertoire of the finest acappella choral literature (in 8 parts) remaining steadfast to the foundation of the purest form of singing. Choosing Christmas songs arranged by aforementioned Derric Johnson, as well as Alfred Burt and Jay Rouse to name a few. Accentuated with sounds of a cathedral echo you can only love 'Carol Of The Bells', 'Joy To The World', 'Caroling, Caroling', 'Rejoice and Sing', and 'Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence'.

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Veteran Christian ensemble the Discovery Singers hail from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and sing as part of the Discovery House ministry and associated radio programs. 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness' is a straightforward collection of 17 favorite hymns performed with the signature choral sound that has been delighting audiences for the 40 years the group has been performing together, with beautiful new a cappella arrangements. Favorites like 'Abide With Me,' 'It is Well With My Soul,' 'He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought,' 'Day By Day' and the title tune inspire and touch us once again.

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Twenty-strong, mixed-voice RSVP was founded in 2000 by Artistic Director Julie Adams, with the purpose of bringing people together through the arts and giving back to the community. They have presented uplifting and powerful live performances, donating all proceeds to to 15 local charities. RSVP's concerts have supported programs for the elderly, the abused, the neglected, the hungry, the poor, the illiterate and the homeless. Some light accompaniment. We like the chosen purpose of this talented ensemble, and we love their music!

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The Staple Singers were an American gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. Roebuck 'Pops' Staples (1914-2000), the patriarch of the family, formed the group with his children Cleotha), Pervis, Yvonne, and Mavis. The family began appearing in Chicago-area churches in 1948, and signed their first professional contract in 1952. During their early career they recorded in an acoustic gospel-folk style with various labels: United Records, Vee-Jay Records, Riverside Records, and then Epic Records in 1965. While the family surname is 'Staples', the group used the singular form for its name, resulting in the group's name being 'The Staple Singers'. This is their 1965 release on Columbia Records now available at a budget price. Most tracks are accompanied.

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Edwin Hawkins (born 18 August 1943, Oakland, California) is a Grammy Award-winning American gospel and R&B musician, pianist, choir leader, composer and arranger. He is one of the originators of the urban contemporary gospel sound. He (and the Edwin Hawkins Singers) are best known for his arrangement of 'Oh Happy Day' (1968-69), which was included on the Songs of the Century list. When radio stations of the San Francisco Bay area started playing 'Oh Happy Day', it became very popular. Featuring the lead vocal of Dorothy Combs Morrison, the subsequently released single rocketed to sales of over a million copies within two months. It crossed over to the pop charts making U.S. #4 and UK #2 in 1969. It then became an international success, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide, and Hawkins was awarded his first Grammy for it.

We were thrilled to discover 'My Lord What a Mornin', an all-a cappella collection of classic spirituals originally released in 1960 by Harry Belafonte and a wonderful group of backup singers. If we were asked to name our favorite two pure vocal talents from that era, Nat King Cole and Harry Belafonte are at the top of our list, though they usually sang with orchestral or big band accompaniment. To hear Harry's sweet, soulful tenor, accompanied only by his exquisite backup singers is an unexpected treat! 'Wake Up Jacob,' the foot-tapping title tune, 'Ezekiel,' the powerful, joyous 'Oh Freedom,' the poignant, deeply-felt 'Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?,' the spirited 'Oh Let Me Fly,' 'Swing Low,' 'March Down to Jordan' and the Underground Railroad song 'Steal Away' are all outstanding. Each of these 11 cuts is a revelation, and we could only listen, not believing the voices, the arrangements, and especially Harry, could be as good as this--simply some of the best a cappella spirituals we have ever heard. 'My Lord' is a treasure, and a joy from beginning to end!

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After the 2009 Grammy Award-winning Simple Gifts and a world premiere recording of Pachelbel Vespers in March 2010, internationally-acclaimed vocal group The King's Singers return to the studio to record Swimming Over London. Featuring a diverse array of songs, this latest release captures jazz classics, current hits, and more, all arranged, performed, and recorded with the meticulous attention to detail and artistry that has established The King's Singers as one of the finest vocal ensembles throughout their history. Swimming Over London includes five original songs, commissioned specifically for the disc and written by Mia Makaroff, composer and arranger for Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton; Ysaye M. Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock; Roger Treece, arranger and performer in Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra ensemble; Alexander L'Estrange, composer and arranger for the Swingle Singers; and Bob Chilcott, a former King's Singer. Chilcott, a respected composer of vocal music, wrote the title track for the album, an evocative tale of a woman stretching her way over London to the coast based on a poem by Charles Bennett. Roger Treece, renowned arranger for groups including Manhattan Transfer and New York Voices, composed an original song ('Keeper of the Seasons') and arranged two contrasting songs: Sarah McLachlan's beautiful 'Angel' and Pat Metheny's 'September 15th.'

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Eric Whitacre's dedication to the beauty of sound, paired with exquisite texts, results in a poetic combination that creates a unique sonic experience. These works are existential choral moments, beautifully crafted, and harmonised to express a compressed moment in time. Such sublime sonorities transcend descriptions such as 'warm', 'glistening' or 'shimmering', although these features of his choral works do suggest affinities with the sound worlds of Arvo Part or John Tavener, for instance. However, Whitacre's fluid lines and blossoming harmonies give his music its own highly personal and irresistible magic.

Daniel Asia recently won the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award for composition, and has been the recipient of many competitive grants and fellowships in music including a Meet The Composer/Reader's Digest Consortium Commission, United Kingdom Fulbright Arts Award Fellowship, Guggenheim Fellowship, four NEA Composers Grants, a M. B. Rockefeller Grant, and many more. Britain's foremost professional chamber choir, the BBC Singers, was founded in 1924. As a vital resource in the BBC's music output, the BBC Singers hold a unique position in British musical life. Performing everything from Byrd and Birtwistle to Tallis and Takemitsu, the versatility of this 24-voice ensemble is second to none.

The Golden Gospel Singers were founded by Bob Singleton in 1991 in a small country church in Northern Germany. Bob had been hoping for an opportunity to take some of his most talented gospel singer friends to Europe. Early on, all members came from Harlem, USA, today, however, touring artists come from all over the USA, auditioning formally or even over the telephone, trying to win the European tour opportunity. The artists on 'A Cappella Praise' are Ernest 'Von' Vaughan, keyboards/vocals, James Penn, guitar/bass/vocals, Praylonn Prince, drums/vocals, Lauren Moss, Veronica Dawkins, Owen Nixon and Deirdre Valentine, vocals. There are 17 wonderful, authentic Spirituals and Gospel songs here: 'Ain't Got Time to Die,' 'Oh, Freedom!,' 'I've Been Buked,' 'Goin' Up Yonder,' 'Old Time Religion,' 'I Need A Church,' 'Calling You Lord,' 'Upper Room,' 'It's Gonna Rain,' 'Up to Glory' and many others. Rich, deep harmonies, soaring leads, heartfelt words-this is inspirational, feel-good stuff from one of the best, The Golden Gospel Singers!

Song In Season is a major collection of new choral music by John Rutter, featuring a host of previously unrecorded works in glittering performances by the Cambridge Singers and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by the composer, John Rutter: A Song in Season ranges across the church's year, incorporating music for Christmas, Epiphany, Pentecost, Easter and Harvest. The first album of new anthems and canticles by Rutter since his landmark 2002 recording of the Mass of the Children, this beautifully-packaged release promises to delight both seasoned Rutter followers and new listeners.

Eric Whitacre's choral music has become a worldwide musical sensation. This release presents a new collection of works conducted for the first time by the composer himself. Performed by The Eric Whitacre Singers along with guests Laudibus and The King Singers.

Tis is a re-release at mid-price of John Rutter's Gramophone Award-winning 1984 recording of Faure's Requiem. The first-ever performance on disc of the work in its intimate original version - famously re-discovered by Rutter in the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris after a century of neglect - it remains one of the timeless jewels in the crown of the Collegium catologue. Hailed on release as 'the Faure Requiem of the future' (Music Week), Rutter's performance with the Cambridge Singers and members of the City of London Sinfonia has transformed the way in which we view one of the great works of European sacred music, and remains definitive.

Singing as part of Grand Rapids, Michigan's Discovery House ministry and radio programs for over 40 years, this veteran 10-strong, mixed-voice a cappella ensemble brings us this wonderful collection. Inspired by the story 'A Blossom in the Desert, Reflections of Faith in the Art and Writings of Lilias Trotter.' These are simply an even dozen of some of the most inspirational, most beloved Christian hymns we know of: 'All Hail the Power,' 'Be Still My Soul,' 'Come, Thou Fount,' 'I Am His and He Is Mine,' 'I Sing The Mighty Power of God,' 'Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us,' 'I Surrender All,' 'The Lord's My Shepherd,' 'My Jesus, I Love Thee,' the title tune, 'Nearer, Still Nearer' and 'Doxology.' Lovely, upbeat songs that move us and lift us up!

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Perhaps you thought their first recording ('License To Grill'), had exploited all avenues of satirical possibility. Fortunately, and just in time for the corporate gift-giving season, this mixed ensemble has returned with another appeal! Frequently accompanied, these parodies are all over the map stylistically - 50's R&B ('Three Certifications'), four-part vertical harmony ('Contingent Fee'), choral ('Meditation Chorus'), and even hippie/flower child folk - 'Puff For My Class Action.' The group strikes a variety of poses vocally, too, mocking everyone with equal rapaciousness. Genuinely funny and solid enough musically to avoid any charges of contempt.

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Dr. P. Bradley Logan, Director of Choral Activities at Bemidji State University, Lake Bemidji, MN, conducts the venerable (founded in 1937) Bemidji Choir and Chamber Singers in 'Come Close to Me,' their eighth excellent, finely-crafted album in our Singers.com catalog. Favorites among the 20 selections are David Cerwien's lovely 'Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Jakob Handl's 'O Admirabile Commercium,' Antonio Lotti's 'Crucifixus,' a pair by Z. Randall Stroope, 'I Am Not Yours' and 'Winter,' Eric Whitacre's 'Sleep,' a pair by Morten Lauridsen, 'Soneto de la Noche' and 'Sure On This Shining Night' (both from 'Nocturnes'), Eric Barnum's 'Jenny Kiss'd Me,' Musikanten's 'Three Kyrie's ' and Aaron McDermid's 'Come Sing Me to Heaven,' and three by the Chamber Singers, 'As Long Ago, 'As Once We Met' and 'Summer Days Are Here,' all by Daniel Gawthrop.' There is some piano accompaniment. All these songs were recorded at live performances by these talented groups. Treat yourself to this beautiful, inspirational music from some of our favorite Collegiate ensembles!

'There's Room For All is another stellar collection of classic Christian inspirational songs, with a handful of nice secular selections, from Dr. P. Bradley Logan's Bemidji Choir, Women's Chorus, Musikanten and Chamber Singers, from Minnesota's Bemidji State University. Favorite religious tunes are Jacob Handl's 'O Magnum Mysterium,' Palestrina's 'Alma Redemptoris Mater,' Roland Martin's 'Ave Maria: O Auctrix Vitae,' Joshua Nice's 'Peace I Leave With You,' the traditional 'By and By,' the Chamber Singers' Exultate Deo' and Jesse Padgett's spiritual 'Plenty Good Room.' Secular favorites are Kenneth Neufeld's 3 selections from 'Twelfth Night,' 'O Mistress Mine,' 'Come Away Death' and 'I Am Gone, Sir;' Women's Chorus's 'Remember,' by Donna Schultz, Musikanten's 'Ward the Pirate' by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and the Chamber Singers' 'This Marriage,' by Eric Whitacre. There's not a weak cut in 'There's Room For All,' so enjoy this wonderful collection from the shores of Lake Bemidji with confidence!

The music contained in this CD represents a selection of Vespers movements written by Johann Pachelbel. The King's Singers are truly remarkable. They continue to be one of the most sought-after and critically acclaimed vocal ensembles in the world, performing a rich and varied repertoire from Gesualdo to Gyorgy Ligeti and Michael Buble. Internationally recognized for their work in the classical field, they retain the sparkle that delights so many fans when they perform much loved numbers from the lighter end of the repertoire. Whatever the music The King's Singers are instantly recognisable for their spot-on intonation, their impeccable vocal blend, the flawless articulation of the text and incisive timing. 'Charivari Agreable is one of the most versatile Early Music groups around at the moment; under its benign director, Kah-Ming Ng, it appears to be infinitely adaptable, finding musicians who can fit into any of its many and varied programmes' (International Record Review). They represent 'a new and very exciting phase of the early music revival, one that enriches the existing repertory and can bring us ever closer to the spirit of the original music' (Gramophone).

Every now and then some quality of voice or specific refrain just gets in your head to bounce stereoptically back and forth. That occurred to your reviewer who listened to Helle Henning sing 'Calling You,' over, and over, and over... She is one of six Danish singers in Singers on the album Singers all of whom are fine lead singers. The jazzy version of 'Woody And Dutch On The Slow Train To Peking' (Rickie Lee Jones) and 'Perfect Stranger' are positively splendid. After hearing the arrangement of 'Babylon Sisters' you'll be wondering why no one else tries to cover it. On second and third listening you'll know why.

The Coats Singers originated in San Francisco, CA, in the backyard of their parents' (Curtis and Gradie Coats Sr.) home. They raised a Christian family of 17 children, all of whom have beautiful, refined voices. The group now consists of 3 generations of the Coats family, who spread the gospel through a cappella music. 9 traditional spirituals: 'When Jesus Comes,' 'Home of the Soul,' 'That Rock Still Stands,' 'Oh Mary Don't You Weep,' 'Jesus Is A Balm,' 'Lonesome Valley,' 'On The Wings of A Dove,' 'Where Could I Go' and 'Acappella.' This deeply spiritual family sings together with soul and a joyful spirit!

Fisk University, originally the Fisk Free Colored School, was founded in Nashville, TN right after the Civil War, by northern missionaries. The school treasurer, a Gettysburg veteran named George White, loved music, and was moved by the slave hymns he would sometimes overhear in the refugee camps, but it was difficult to get his young students to sing them, as they were associated with slavery and things best forgotten. George began collecting and arranging these 'secret songs,' with the help of his secretary, Ella Sheppard, who brought him 'O Freedom' and 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,' lullabies her mother had taught her. In time, White and Sheppard collected over a hundred songs. In 1871, Fisk was on the brink of financial collapse, and George White took a group of young singers on the route of the Underground Railroad, hoping to 'sing into the hearts' of the people and raise money to save the school. At first enduring racism and indifference, the group finally found some success in Ohio, and then made it to New York, where Henry Ward Beecher, in his Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, was so moved by their singing he commanded his wealthy parishioners to give generously to the Jubilee's cause. Suddenly the churches of metropolitan New York opened their doors to them, and people rushed to hear 'the genuine soul music of the slave cabins, before the Lord led his people out of the house of bondage.' This began a series of successful tours, to Britain, Europe and all over the United States that finally exhausted the young singers, yet raised enough to erase Fisk's debt and build beautiful new campus buildings. 18 authentic songs, some of our favorites: 'Down By The Riverside,' 'De Gospel Train,' 'Were You There,' 'Rockin' Jerusalem,' 'Nobody Knows the Trouble I See,' 'He's Got the Whole World In His Hands,' 'I'm Got A Home In-A Dat Rock,' and the title tune. The CD cover and liner notes are actually a small book, with great old photos and the amazing story of the Fisk Singers. And, this is an 'Enhanced' CD--if you load it into your computer's CD player, you can see a nicely-done visual presentation of the group's history with many photos, as well as photos and info from the recording session--very cool. Recommended.

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An invaluable document of a musical tradition stretching back to the Civil War that is on the verge of disappearing forever, Desire for Piety is a rare example of black Sacred Harp singing from rural southeast Alabama. The songs are from the B.F. White Sacred Harp, the hymn book primarily used by the seven million shape-note singers in this country. Liner notes by Henry Willett, an acknowledged authority on shape-note singing.

African American Sacred Harp singing conventions in southeastern Alabama began near the last third of the 19th century. While singing, for the most part, the same repertory of Sacred Harp music as their Anglo American counterparts, a vocal stylistic difference is clearly apparent. During a typical convention singing the participants arrange themselves in a square according to voice part, the basses facing the trebles, and the tenors facing the altos. A song leader stands in the middle of the square leading the singers first through the notes to the songs and then through the lyrics, a practice emanating from the traditional singing school classes, where singers are taught to sing the notes and then the words.

Performing at various venues all over South Florida, the non-denominational Acappella Singers was founded by Ronald Boender in 1994, as a group of semi-professional singers under his direction. The goal of this unique 32 voice ensemble is to perform only the finest a cappella choral literature in all formats including sacred, folk, classical, patriotic, and Christmas favorites. Because the repertoire of the Singers is almost entirely written in 8 parts, and could be considered pop vocal or vocal jazz, the ensemble produces a distinctive sound that is exciting to hear, and rare in the choral field. 'My Father's World' features 10 beautifully arranged Christian spiritual sounds: 'We Will Glorify,' 'Have Thine Own Way,' 'He Never Sleeps,' 'Beautiful Savior,' 'Children of the Heavenly Father,' John Rutter's 'God Be In My Head,' the title tune (arranged by Paul Christiansen), 'I Love You Lord,' and Joyce Eilers' 'Go Ye Now In Peace.' Soaring harmonies, a couple of lovely solos by Elisa McCord on 'He Never Sleeps' and Maryanne Webel on 'Beautiful Savior,' a bright, clean sound and deeply-felt lyrics are features of this very special CD.

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Conductor and founder of The Acappella Singers Ronald Boender's love of pure acappella singing is but one of his many interests. His interest in Tropical Biology led him to found Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, FL, where the Singers regularly perform. The 32-strong, semi-professional Singers, who are celebrating their 10th year together and their 8th excellent recording, bring us 9 traditional Christmas tunes, 7 of them arranged by Derric Johnson: 'Wassail Song,' 'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,' 'Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy' which segues into 'We Three Kings' and 'Noel, Noel;' 'Infant Holy' (arranged by Paul Christiansen), 'Deck The Halls,' 'White Christmas,' 'Winter Wonderland,' 'Away In The Manger,' and 'Jingle Bells.' Nice solos by John Cotter on 'Winter Wonderland' and 'Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy,' and Beverly Atkinson on 'Away In The Manger.' A bright, joyous collection to brighten your holidays!

This mischievous group of lawyerly miscreants is irrepressible-they satirize all affairs legal (and otherwise), using as their foundation various popular songs of the fifties and sixties. From ' Frivolous Suit' (sung to Runaround Sue) and Mr. Foreman (Mr. Sandman) to our favorite, Appointed Forever (sung to the Turtles classic, Happy Together), this bevy of barristers (thirteen, to be exact) from Austin, Texas is tuneful and engaging. Some of the songs are lightly accompanied by piano and/or guitar, but we recommend leniency and suggest that you purchase this immediately nonetheless!

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All Christians, but not affiliated with any denomination, the Singers were founded in 1994 in South Florid a by Ronald Boender and grew from a dozen singers to their current 32 mixed voices. Their trademark 8-part arrangements and close, challenging harmonies are featured on 8 CDs of both sacred and secular music. 'God Bless America' includes 5 patriotic and folk songs, Woody Guthrie's 'This Land,' four arranged by Derric Johnson, 'Give Me Your Tired,' 'We The People' and 'God Bless The USA.' Also included are the spirituals 'Set Down Servant,' 'Witness,' 'All My Trials' with a lovely solo by Mary Jane Vanden Birge, and the deeply-felt 'Benediction' by Robert C. Clatterbuck. A beautiful, inspirational collection by South Florida's finest!

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An LA-born native Californian, Albert McNeil earned Bachelors and Masters degrees at UCLA and did his doctorate studies at USC, the Westminster Choir College of Princeton and the Univ. of Lausanne, Switzerland. He has been conducting groups and church choirs for most of his adult life, and has dedicated himself to upholding a tradition of choral excellence as Founder/Director of the McNeil Jubilee Singers in 1968. Since then the Singers have earned international acclaim for their vast repertoire of African-American folk music, focusing on the rich genre known as Negro Spirituals as well as gospel, secular folk songs, calypsos and other African-Caribbean and African vocal forms. Their repertory also consists of concert works by distinguished African-American composers and arrangers along with Classical Opera, Sacred Music and Musical Theater. The 15 selections in 'Best of Jubilee' draw on the best performances of one of the most honored choral ensembles. It's understandably hard to pick favorites, but the South African freedom song 'Siyahamba'ekukhanuen'kwenkhos' (We are marching in the light of God), 'Glory, Glory Hallelujah,' 'Open the Window, Noah,' 'Hallelujah! (Been Down Into The Sea),' 'Oh, Mary Don't You Weep,' 'Oh Make Me Holy,' 'All My Trials,' 'Walk Together Children' and 'Rocka My Soul' are particularly fine. Inspirational and moving songs, every one the best of the best!

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Recordings from 1924 thru 1940

The 1927-1928 recordings by J.T. Allison's ensemble are rare instances of the convergence of two important cultural movements of the southeastern U.S.-the emerging country music recording industry and the tradition of singing religious folk music from shape-note tunebooks. The Allisons recorded music directly from 'The Sacred Harp,' compiled in Georgia in 1844, which used musical notes in 4 shapes, representing degrees of the musical scale, to aid in learning and reading religious music. The emphasis of this music is large public gatherings, where throngs of singers gather for an intense musical and spiritual experience-everyone comes to sing and there is no discernable audience. 21 songs, lightly accompanied, richly harmonic and sincerely sung by non-professional, but certainly competent, singers: 'The Heavenly Port,' 'The Old Ship of Zion,' 'Sweet Rivers,' 'The Golden Harp,' 'Jewett,' 'Pisgah,' 'Sweet Prospect,' 'The Morning Trumpet,' 'Ester,' 'I'm A Long Time Traveling Away From Home,' 'I Belong to this Band,' 'Sweet Morning' and 'Heaven's My Home.' Although its use declined over the 19th century, we love 'Home' and the other shape-note recordings we've heard. Rich history and photos in the extensive liner notes booklet.

The 21 mixed-voice singers of Director Albert McNeil sing the powerful, emotion-packed spirituals that have been sung, recorded, rearranged and interpreted, and re-recorded for over 150 years. In these14 songs we have a mixture of the simplicity and complexity of arrangements by Moses Hogan, Jester Hairston, Lena McLinn and Albert McNeil, to the unique settings of young composers and arrangers like Stacey Gibbs, Richard Jackson and Augustus O. Hill. Undine Smith Moore's 'Lord We Give Thanks to Thee' was written as a tribute to the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Fisk University's original Jubilee Singers. Hogan's 'Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit,' Hill's 'Fix Me Jesus,' McLinn's 'Lit'le Lamb, Lit'le Lamb,' Gibbs' 'Somebody's Knockin' At Yo' Do'' and 'See Dat Babe,' McNeil's dynamic 'John the Revelator' and Hairston's joyous 'Wonderful Counselor' are particularly fine. Authentic, timeless music sung with passion and fire by one of the great Gospel ensembles!

Johnny Mann paid some serious dues, boasting 39 albums arranged and conducted for his Singers, a 3-year stint on national tv on Chevrolet's 'Stand Up and Cheer,' 5 nominations and two Grammies merely scratch the iceberg of this man's musical resume. 'Nearer' is a collection of 10 hymns plus 'The Star Spangled Banner,' and it lets you know immediately that here is a deep, talented ensemble, trained and directed by a master arranger, and every song touches us, no matter how many times we may have heard it before. Listen to the sweet tenor solo on 'Fairest Lord Jesus,' the harmonies on 'Shadows of the Evening,' 'The Church is One Foundation,' the title tune, 'Hark, Hark My Soul,' 'Hosanna' and 'Now the Day is Over.' This is how these hymns should be directed and sung, and, forgive us, Johnny was the Mann who could make it happen!

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While the Swingles first won acclaim for their arrangements of Bach fugues, they have been performing Beatles songs as part of their live concerts for many years. Though Ward is no longer part of the eight-voice mixed ensemble, he acts as musical advisor, and the group continues on, revitalized by fresh new talent. A record of all-Beatles material is surely a natural! The aural landscape designed by the Beatles, with George Martin at the helm, is ably reproduced here, entirely a cappella, of course. Some adaptations swear almost complete allegiance to the originals, but others, such as 'Norwegian Wood,' embellish with subtle, yet distinct tonal flavors. The tempo of 'Lady Madonna' is gently suppressed, with harmonic emphasis on the seventh. 'All My Loving' is a sweetly earnest ballad. 'Ticket To Ride' shows the Swingle Singers ready to meet the 21st century, with a winning mix of the old and the new.

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This 1972 recording continues to set musical precedent almost thirty years later. The combined voices of Don Shelton, Len Dresslar, Bonnie Herman and Gene Puerling are a sound so distinctive and recognizable that they have yet to be improved. From the six Alfred Burt carols to 'Deck The Halls,' 'Good King Wenceslas' and Oh, Come All Ye Faithful,' each song is beautifully constructed, a marriage of the traditional with the inimitable personality of Gene Puerling's arrangements. The result is accessible enough for the mainstream listener, and will also satisfy those hungry for heartier fare. Bonnie Herman frequently assumes the lead vocal duties, as on 'Carol For Russian Children,' her warm tone a sunbeam on a wintry day - listen to the pedal note (uncharacteristically in the treble part) she holds during the coda - amazing color and control. One of our most recommended selections.

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A seven CD collection containing everything the group recorded in their history save for their Christmas material, these recordings are a tour of the best that vocal jazz has to offer in terms of arrangement, composition and performance. Bonnie Herman, Len Dresslar, Don Shelton and of course the illustrious Gene Puerling, to whom we owe these magnificent arrangements, left a legacy that is unmatched to this moment. The arrangements are frequently a backdrop for Bonnie's voice, but sometimes, as on 'Here's That Rainy Day' the tenor voice takes the lead for a section or line. There's no set prescription. What to take to a desert island? Grab this box set and a lawn chair and push off! Endless hours of listening pleasure await you.

Legendary performances on CD for the first time. Described by Gramophone as possessing an 'impeccably manicured vocal blend, enchanting the ear from first to last note,' The King's Singers maintain the highest caliber of a cappella performance and continue to be one of the most sought-after and critically acclaimed vocal ensembles in the world. Recognition of that fact was underlined by a prestigious Grammy Award in the 2009 ceremony.

Morten Lauridsen is America's preeminent composer of choral music. Characterized by long, arching and highly expressive lines, his works are enjoyed by performers and audiences worldwide. O nata lux, perhaps Lauridsen's most popular work, is a serene evocation of heavenly light, while the searingly intense and technically demanding Madrigali inhabit a more feverish and earthy realm. The refined Les Chansons des Roses employ a design reminiscent of the formal gardens, filled with roses, found in the grounds of the great French chateaux. The unforgettable final movement is the now-famous Dirait-on. The Mid-Winter Songs for chorus and piano are a stunning example of compositional virtuosity. O magnum mysterium, for a cappella chorus, is a setting of a Christmas text that has inspired composers from Victoria to Poulenc.

During the past 20 years, Arvo Part has consolidated his reputation as one of the most significant contemporary composers with a sequence of magnificent sacred choral works. Dating from between 1990 and 2001, the works on this recording exemplify Part's mature idiom at its most harmonically expressive. If Triodion represents his music at its starkest and most unadorned, Kanon Pokajanen, the composer's largest work after the 1982 St John Passion (Naxos 8.555860), is music of a dark-hued and intensely felt contemplation. Part's emotionally-charged Bogorditse Djvo, is a vibrant tribute to the Virgin Mary.

An eclectic mix of five modern songs on an EP. 'My heart is a holy place' - Patricia Van Ness has rearranged and extended the beautiful 'Cor meum est templum sacrum' for The King's Singers to become 'My heart is a holy place'. 'Conceit' - A haunting piece written for The King's Singers in 2009 by Graham Lack with text by writer/poet Mervyn Peake, in which things may not always be as they first appear. 'Pie Jesu' - British classical radio presenter and former rock guitarist, John Brunning, wrote a simple setting of 'Pie Jesu' three years ago, and it became an instant hit in the UK. 'Out of the Woods' - Bluegrass band Nickel Creek's song. 'Out of the Woods' has great harmonies, a wonderful folksy melody and a mesmeric improvisation section. Arranged by Philip Lawson. 'Hallelujah' - One of a huge number of hit songs from the Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, arranged here by Philip Lawson.

Featuring repertoire from the Singers' 2007-2008 season, 'The Cloths of Heaven' is the choir's ninth release. The CD includes Anton Bruckner's classic motet 'Os justi meditabitur sapientiam,' Eric Whitacre's beautiful 'Five Hebrew Love Songs,' and the world premiere of William Hawley's 'The Cloths of Heaven,' which was commissioned by the choir. Choral music fans will also find spirituals, gospel music, and sacred and secular music from all over the world.

'Carol of Joy,' is the University of Utah Singers' third Christmas album, recorded in Libby Gardner Concert Hall and featuring the Singers from both the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons. Including arrangements of traditional carols, such as 'Silent Night,' 'Go Tell It on the Mountain,' and 'We Need a Little Christmas' and pieces by familiar composers Natalie Sleeth and John Rutter, the music will warm your heart and fill your home with the spirit of the holiday.

This CD represents a compilation of repertoire from the Singers' 2007 European Tour, including 'La Rose Complete' and 'Dirait-on' by Morten Lauridsen, 'When Daivid Heard' by Eric Whitacre, 'Elijah Rock' by Moses Hogan, 'Where is Love' arr. by Gene Puerling, 'How Can I Keep from Singing?' in both English and French, arr. by Ronald Staheli, as well as Europe folk songs such as 'Sing a Song of Sixpence' arr. by John Rutter.

Dr. Brady R. Allred, winner of the coveted Conductor's Prize, conducts the Univ. of Utah Singers, about 45 mixed voices first organized in 2003. Known around the world for 'exquisite choral singing,' the group has won top honors in major festivals, such as Grand Prizes at the Florilege Vocal de Tours International Choir Competition and the European Grand Prix International Choir Competition. They have also won awards for performances of their commissioned pieces. 'Alleluia' has 21 selections, with familiar songs like the traditional 'Peace Like a River,' 'My Song in the Night,' Paul Manz' 'E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come,' and the traditional tunes 'How Can I Keep From Singing' and 'Jesus, Once of Humble Birth.' Less familiar, but equally lovely, are a pair by Rene Clausen, 'Set Me as a Seal' and 'All Ye That Hath Life and Breath Praise The Lord;' a pair by Bob Chilcott, 'The Singing Heart' and 'God So Loved The World;' Daniel Gawthrop's 'Sing A Mighty Song,' Allen Pote's 'Prayer of St. Francis,' and a pair by Stephen Paulus, 'The Road Home' and 'Peace Like A River.' The Singers have a rich, angelic sound, and the often difficult material is performed with effortless grace and beauty!

The 45-strong, mixed-voice ECUCS, under the baton of multiple-award-winning Daniel Bara, is the most selective of four university choral ensembles at Greenville, NC's East Carolina University. The Singers have been invited to perform at numerous ACDA conventions and toured extensively in the United States. These 14 songs, with some accompaniment by Bassoon, Clarinet and Flute, showcase the marvelous choral tone of one of America's great university choirs. Some favorites are John Rutter's Hymn to the Creator of Light,' Mark G. Sirett's 'Veni, Sancte Spiritus,' Howard Helvey's 'O quam gloriosum,' Egil Hovland's 4-part 'Agnus Dei,' the Spirituals 'I've Been in the Storm So Long' and 'Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen;' and Leo Sowerby's title tune. The wonderful vocals of this rich collection are enhanced by the beautiful acoustics of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Greenville.

A compilation recording featuring the best of Swingles' past and present. The Swingles are a top attraction at concert halls throughout the world, and their purely vocal arrangements of famous works from composers such as J.S. Bach, Handel, Mozart, Vivaldi, Brahms, Beethoven and Satie are a Swingles trademark. They were a sensation when the group first popularized the concept in the 1960's. Half of the arrangements on this CD are by founder Ward Swingle, including 'Fugue In D Minor' and 'Clair De Lune,' with the remainder balanced between Ben Parry, Jonathan Rathbone, Mark Williams, Andrew Gray and current musical director, Joanna Forbes. The four male and four female voices that animate these hallmarks of European classical tradition have a modern grace and elegance, and the sound is spacious, open and fluid. These are new a cappella recorded versions of the classic repertoire.

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This CD is a real treat for Swingles fans, as well as those just getting turned on to them, the original French Swingle Singers, featuring Ward himself doing all the arrangements and singing with the group! For those who are new to the Swingles, these are classic Bach pieces performed incredibly, unbelievably by voices only, singing in a seamless 'scat-singing' style. Since their first record these 8 singers became, if possible, even more polished and refined in the years that separated the two volumes the Swingles were voted 'Best Vocal Group in the World' several times. These are some of their best-known works: from the Fugue in G Major for organ, to the Concerto in D minor for 2 violins, the Choral from the Cantata BMV 147 to the Prelude in C major. Don't be misled by the names, this is all a cappella, with the exception of almost imperceptible drums. In the liner notes we find fascinating little odds and ends about the 10 pieces and such details as an 'Ave Maria' being slipped into the score here or there. But know that this is marvelously original and inventive music and that the Swingles have remained true to the spirit that Bach instilled in his works, a profoundly human fervor and a joyously optimistic faith. As we know Johan Sebastian would, enjoy!

Well, isn't this a treat! From the beginning of 'the French Swingles' 10 years was spent touring. Between tours they recorded 12 albums, moving chronologically from Bach and Handel to Telemann, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and some early 20th Century Spanish composers. In between, there was a Christmas album and one with the Modern Jazz Quartet. They were all done in that traditional jazz-classic mode: scatting to a light rhythmic background. What we have in our hands is a CD release of that Christmas album, 'Noels Sans Passeport' which was released in America as 'Christmastime' in 1968. This is an international work par excellence which features songs from America, France, Germany, Norway, Holland, Spain, Russia, Italy, and Denmark. As all of the Swingle's work in those early days, the tunes were scatted so no language lessons are required. There isn't much that hasn't been written already about the group, but if you are a Swingle's fan this is a must and if you've never been introduced, now is the time for they were, and are, one of the most important groups in the world of a cappella music. Joyeux Noel!

The Swingle Singers, Ann De Renais, soprano 1, Joanna Forbes, soprano 2, Sarah Simmonds, Alto 1, Wendy Nieper, alto 2, Andrew Gray, Tenor 1, Richard Eteson, Tenor 2, Jeremy Sadler, Bass 1 and Patrick Ardagh-Walter, Bass 2, and this is another of their very popular live albums. We can feel ourselves in the audience in December 2000, the elusive 'tingle factor' in the air, as the group takes 21 classic tunes and proceeds to nail them, as only the Swingles can, one by one: 'September Song,' 'Alabama Song,' 'Mack The Knife,' 'Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat,' 'Largo,' 'Badinerie,' 'Air on the G String,' 'Ticket to Ride,' Procul Harum's 'Whiter Shade Of Pale,' 'Ave Maria,' 'The Fool on the Hill,' Queen's amazing 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' 'Little Drummer Boy,' 'Away in a Manger,' 'Christmas Medley,' 'Amazing Grace,' 'White Christmas,' 'Intro to 1812 Overture,' '1812 Overture,' 'September Song,' 'Thank You' and 'Theme from Mission Impossible.' Great music, incomparable singing!

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The Swingles' discography boasts a stylistic diversity unmatched by any other a cappella group--from Mozart to madrigals, Bach to the Beatles, folk songs to fugues and film themes, but 'Mood' focuses on their forte: jazz. These eight gifted singers have a symbiotic relationship with some of the best arrangers in the world, Ward Swingle, Bertrand Groeger, Alexander L'Estrange, Jonathan Rathbone and others. 'Mood' begins with Miles Davis's 'So What,' which is followed by a brilliant selection of 1960s Latin jazz, 'Surfboard,' Jobim's 'Insensatez' and 'The Girl From Ipanema' (The best version we've heard), and 'Milonga del Angel.' Three moody jazz ballads, 'A Time For Love,' 'The Peacocks' and 'What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?' follow. Then three Richard Rodgers classics, 'Have You Met Miss Jones?,' 'My Funny Valentine' and 'The Lady Is A Tramp.' Then come four classic 30s and 40s standards: 'Just One of those Things,' 'My Foolish Heart,' 'All The Things You Are' and 'It Don't Mean A Thing,' finishing with Quincy Jones' 1966 hit, 'Soul Bossa Nova' (from Austin Powers). Our favorite is the stunning 60s Latin Jazz section, which we hope they devote a whole CD to, but every song is a finely-crafted jewel. 'Mood Swings' swings us into a jazz mood and never lets us go. Listen to the vocal trumpet solo on 'The Lady Is a Tramp'--it's almost unnecessary, because the soprano voices are already doing soaring jazz trumpet riffs throughout the song. This is breathtaking proof of our contention that the Swingles are the best at whatever style they choose to sing - simply perfect! Highly recommended.

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Ward Swingle's Swingle Singers were formed in 1962, and stepped into the vocal jazz spotlight bigtime with the success of their first album, which was based entirely on Ward's groundbreaking vocal scat interpretations of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. On this their second album, seven of the 12 tunes are again by Johann - but to the Swingles, their homage could only be complete if they included by works of Johann's family and friends, composers who viewed Bach as their Master. Thus we are treated to the marvelous vocal gymnastics of the Swingles on pieces by Bach's two sons, Carl and Wilhelm, Handel (spelled 'Haendel' in the liner notes) and Vivaldi. We are immediately drawn into the surprising power of Bach's 'Badinerie' where the voices, accompanied by light, driving jazz snare drum, dance like frantic, harmonic dragonflies over the surface of a pond for a minute and 19 seconds and then are gone. Also fun and fast-moving are Bach's 'Praeambulum,' and 'Solfegietto in C Minor,' Handel's 'Allegro' and Vivaldi's 'Fugue.'Particularly sweet and melodic are Bach's 'Largo,' based on his harpsichord concerto, and Wilhelm F. Bach's 'Der Fruehling.' It's easy to see why the Swingles created such a sensation with their voices-as-orchestra, push-the-envelope style, which sounds as fresh and revolutionary today. We would like to imagine Bach and friends in a heavenly music room, putting on headphones and grooving on this hip homage to their music!

A hard-to-find classic and 1965 Grammy winner by the original Les Swingle Singers! Ward Swingle graduated from the Cincinnati Conservatory, then studied the piano in France under Walter Gieseking from 1951-53. After working as an accompanist and conductor he became a member of the famed Double-Six. From there he became the founder, arranger and 1st tenor for the SwingleSingers, all the other singers being French. We have Jeanette Baucomont, soprano; Christiane LeGrand, soprano; Alice Herald, alto; Jean Cussac, bass; and three Germains, Anne, alto; her husband Claude, tenor; and his brother Jose, Bass. Included are: 'Zwolf Variationen fur Klavier 'Ah! Vous Dirais-Je Maman,'' 'Fuga,' 'Sonate fur Klavier Nr. 15 C-Dur,' three movements, 'Serenade Nr. 13 G-Dur, 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,'' four movements; and 'Allegro.' Lightly scatting over the familiar melodies (what we recognize as the kids' song 'A B C D E F G,' for instance) then matching the snare drum beat for beat in a dancing multi-harmonic nonsense-syllable musical race, here was a unique sound, as fresh and original as Wolfgang himself. It was a breakthrough sound that led to the group being awarded a Grammy. Unobtrusively accompanied by Guy Pedersen on Double Bass and Daniel Humair on Drums, 'Swinging' is astounding, a vocal jazz milestone!

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This recording is a celebration of forty years of arguably the world's most famous and longest-running a cappella group. The current mixed-voice octet has gone back to its roots, teaming up with a world-class jazz rhythm section for this live CD to recreate both the look and sound of the original Swingles as it performs the greatest hits of the 60s and 70s, beginning and ending, of course with the composer on whose music the group was founded, J.S. Bach. The first part of the program includes 4 Bach gems, then 4 from Mozart's 'Ein Kleine Nachtmusik and 3 Spanish romantic pieces like J. Rodrigo's 'En Aranjuez con tu amor.' Marvelous arrangements of Cole Porter's 'Just One of Those Things' and Gershwin's 'Fascinating Rhythm' delight us and the crowd. We get a glimpse of the Swingle's future, 'Dejeuner sur l'herbe' by Parisian composer Pascal Zavaro, who is currently writing an opera with the group. As always, breathtaking, brilliant stuff from the Swingles! Highly recommended.

The Swingle Singers are comfortable in many musical genres, particularly jazz and salsa, and 'Unwrapped,' their second holiday album, showcases this versatility. The free-flowing, almost scattish jazz interpretation of classical music that first made them famous is evident on Corelli's 'Christmas Concerto,' while Darke's 'In the Bleak Midwinter' is more traditional a cappella. Different, but equally powerful interpretations are given to classic Christmas songs and carols: a sexy 'Santa Baby,' 'Let it Snow,' a slow, jazzy 'Away In A Manger' and John Lennon's 'Happy Christmas (War is Over).' Other beloved tunes, 'Christmas Song,' 'River,' 'Walking in the Air,' 'Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!' 'O Tannenbaum,' 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree,' 'Carol of the Drum,' 'Amazing Grace,' 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,' 'Last Christmas,' and 'Hotaru no Hikari' are like reaching into our stocking and finding more and more cool presents. A gift to yourself or loved ones should be 'Unwrapped!'

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'Telemann' is a re-release of the Swingles' fifth album, and it features the original energetic collage album cover, the funky 1960's curlicue lettering, and a great picture of the eight 1966 Swingles, in formal dress, sharing 4 stand-up microphone in front of Guy Pedersen on double bass, Daniel Humair on drums and seven fake Classic stage columns. Having 'swingled' Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart et al in their first four albums, the copy reads, next up is Georg Philipp Telemann, with single pieces by Francois Couperin, Georg Muffat, Louis-Claude Daquin, Benedetto Marcello and Johann Joachim Quantz. 15 pieces, our favorites are the 6 short movements of Telemann's 'Concerto A Six,' Muffat's 'Fugue in D Minor,' Telemann's lively 'Presto,' featuring lead soloist Christiane Legrand paired with Jeanette Baucomont. Daquin's bouncy 'Le Coucou,' Marcello's 'Presto' and Quantz' 'Sonata in C Minor.' In 1966 'swingling' was a word spontaneously coined by music critics upon hearing the group's recordings and concerts. Its meaning: extremely musical, baroque, modern, joyous and lively. Telemann might have added 'fun,' but close enough!

Ward Swingle's Grammy-winning, envelope-pushing mixed-voice octet is simply one of the best and most influential vocal groups of all time. 'Romantic' is a digitally-remastered reissue of recordings made in 1967, and the fresh, effortless sound on these 11 songs delights and amazes us again. The prolific Swingles have performed and recorded in many styles, Bach to the Beatles, folk songs to film themes, but they hit the big time as a vocal jazz group and it remains in our minds their forte. Beethoven's 'Scherzo' and 'Allegro,' Chopin's 'Allegro,' 'Etude op. 10,' 'Etude op. 25,' and 'Waltz' are particularly marvelous. Schumann's 'Short Fugue,' and two by Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, 'Spinning Song' and 'Andante,' are excellent, as are Mussorgsky's 'Limoges, The Market.' Rounding out the CD are two gems; 'Zortzinco' by Isaac Albeniz and Schubert's 'Andante.' There is occasional unobtrusive light percussion and double bass. Still performing, touring and recording extensively (most recently the excellent CDs 'Ticket to Ride,' 'Keyboard Classics,' 'Live in Japan' and 'Mood Swings' were released on our own PAC records), it is a real treat to hear some of the Swingles' work from 37 years ago, especially with the remastering. Perfect then, perfect now!

Sometimes a quartet, sometimes an octet, the former Anita Jean Grilli's groups had possibly even more to do with reshaping country music from the mid-1950s to mid-1960s than Elvis and the Jordanaires. The direction in which she took country music is very clear on 'From Nashville:' pop and light classics, not country. Still, these 12 bright, smooth, upbeat hits, accompanied by saxophones and massed violins are powerful and fine. Songs like 'Hey, Joe,' 'My Last Date (With You),' 'Singing the Blues,' 'You Don't Know Me,' 'The Old Master Painter,' 'Night Train to Memphis,' 'Bye, Bye Love' 'Four Walls' and 'Oh Lonesome Me' opened up the possibility of scoring major pop hits for country singers, and Anita was in on the ground floor of a fast-growing recording industry in Nashville. More than a period piece, 'From Nashville' is country and pop music history in the making.

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Jazz Singers/C-Sus (Cal State University, Sacramento) is a 13 member, mixed voice jazz ensemble who show us with 'In the Winelight' that they are among the elite collegiate jazz ensembles in the world. The scattish 'Sing a Song of Song,' the bright, clean harmonies of 'Beautiful Love,' the moody 'Midnight Voyage,' the Swing Era classic 'That Old Black Magic,' the soaring title tune, the bluenote 'Yesterdays,' the funky 'Walk With Me Lord' a jazzy arrangement of Peter Gabriel's 'In Your Eyes' and a surreal 'Love is more thicker than forget'-these songs are all accompanied by a very good jazz group, and all are poised and excellent!

One of the giants of easy listening, the trademark smooth voices and gentle melody of the Singers is the sound of the pop 60s as much as the Byrds or Simon & Garfunkel. In contrast to Dr. Timothy Leary's 'Turn on, tune in and drop out,' the mantra of the Johnny Mann Singers, dressed in white turtlenecks and red v-neck sweaters on their weekly Chevrolet TV show, was 'Stand Up and Cheer,' a positive attitude that led advertisers to use their sound to sell everything from soap to cereal. Crisp, upbeat covers of top 40 standards 'She Loves You,' 'Never My Love,' 'Windy,' 'Mrs. Robinson,' 'Invisible Tears,' 'Love Is Blue,' 'I'll Remember You,' 'Daydream,' 'To Sir With Love,' 'Cherish'-led to millions of record sales, five Grammy nominations and two Grammy winners. Their definitive recording, a superb version of Jimmy Webb's 'We Can Fly! Up, Up and Away,' reached #6 on the UK singles chart in the summer of 1967. Twenty three accompanied pop tunes, as bright, cheerful, romantic, and familiar as you can imagine! The smooth sound of the sixties!

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This CD combines the original album art, front and back, songlist labels and of course the remastered music of two Johnny Mann CDs, 'Invisible Tears' from 1964 and 'We Can Fly' from 1967. The Singers were famous for 'easy listening,' upbeat covers of pop hits that sold millions of records and even won a couple of Grammys. There are 23 much-beloved, all accompanied hits here: 'People,' 'Love Me With All Your Heart,' 'The Girl From Ipanema,' 'Hello, Dolly!,' 'Shangri-La,' 'A World Without Love,' 'Blue Velvet,' 'Somethin' Stupid,' the Mamas & the Papas' 'Go Where You Wanna Go,' 'Dedicated to the One I Love' and 'Monday, Monday,' 'This is My Song,' and 'Release Me.'

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Si Zentner was a top trombonist with Les Brown, Harry James and Jimmy Dorsey before forming his own band. Johnny Mann, at a very young age, was a recognized music director, conductor, arranger and composer. Liberty Records blended chorus and orchestra for these two lps from 1961 and 1962, an 'exciting new sound' for the time, and still a fresh, bright, powerful sound today. 12 songs on each remastered lp, 'Serenade in Blue,' 'Breezin' Along With The Breeze,' 'Flamingo,' 'Ol' Man River,' 'St. Louis Blues,' 'Deep Purple,' 'Baubles, Bangles and Beads,' 'Dream,' 'Little White Lies,' 'Mississippi Mud,' 'Chattanooga Choo Choo,' 'At Last,' 'Paper Doll,' 'The Hut Sut Song,' 'It Happened In Monterey,' 'I'll Never Smile Again' and 'Rum and Coca-Cola' are some favorites. But in fact, each of these songs is a production number, a little symphony if you will. 'Great Band with Great Voices,' 'Great Voices of the Great Bands'-we'd like to buy an adjective for these titles, but in fact there's some very powerful, entertaining stuff here from the early sixties for not very much dough-so enjoy!

A Classic Reissued! Legendary vocal group The Singers Unlimited, for their third album on Germany's MPS label, recorded a collaboration with the Oscar Peterson Trio. Grammy-winning arranger Gene Puerling wrote the charts and the musicians recorded this remarkable session in 1971 at the storied Villingen studios in the Black Forest. The then latest breakthroughs in studio technology, and the masterful engineer and MPS Records owner Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer, allowed the artists to overdub vocals creating the layered vocals the Singers Unlimited are famous for. Using a sixteen-track deck Brunner-Schwer had bought for the occasion, the group layered on chords, melody lines and solos which we often sung in four or eight part pieces that were later assembled almost magically. The CD sleeve includes rare photos from the session plus both the original LP liner notes and extensive new notes, including many new quotes from Puerling, by noted jazz musicologist James Gaven. A gem of a recording!

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Previously released as a Columbia LP that was probably pulled out and played to distraction every Christmas thereafter, this reissue captures the joyous innocence and cheer of Christmas in the 50's and 60's like the tiny flakes in a snow globe. Each of these 12, all lightly accompanied songs has 'Arr: R. Conniff' under them, and it's physically impossible to feel sad while listening to a Conniff arrangement. The title tune, 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,' 'Joy To The World,' 'Go Tell It On The Mountain,' 'O Tannenbaum' and 'O Little Town Of Bethlehem' are given upbeat, jazzy-pop tempos, while 'Silent Night,' 'Away In A Manger,' 'Adoremus Te,' 'The Real Meaning of Christmas,' 'What Child Is This' and 'It Came Upon A Midnight Clear' are slower ballads. The Singers' sound is bright, sweet and sincere-exactly how we like it!

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'Ray Conniff,' we were thinking as we opened 'Christmas With,' 'elevator music.' Then we played the CD, and found ourselves flooded with memories of what Christmas was like for us, growing up in the 50's and 60's. The smell of hot roasted nuts and fresh chocolates at the bustling five and dime as we stepped into the warmth out of a snowstorm, and what was playing in the background was Conniff's 'Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer.' There are 12 delightful songs here, each lightly (and jazzily) accompanied, and each arranged by Mr. Conniff in his inimitable manner, using the voices as the main focus of the orchestral fabric, and gaining special inspiration from the cheery character that most of the songs have. Of course there are ballads like the classic 'Silver Bells,' the romantic 'Christmas Song,' 'Greensleeves' and 'White Christmas,' but most of the songs, 'Here Comes Santa Claus,' 'Winter Wonderland,' 'Frosty The Snowman,' 'Sleigh Ride' and 'Christmas Bride,' are as bright, innocent and jolly as befits a Christmas dancing party. We loved every cut and bet you will too!

Fantastic heart-on-the-sleeve American standards in new arrangements designed to flatter any singer, with interesting harmonies and accompaniments. The arrangements are in the spirit of the performance tradition established by singers such as Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee and others. Keys have been carefully chosen and will be comfortable for most voices. The book contains arrangements for voice and piano accompaniment, plus a section of 'fake book'-style arrangements convenient for performing. The accompanying CD includes great performances of each song by a singer backed by piano, bass and drums, as well as trio accompaniment tracks only for practice or performance.

One of the great a cappella quartets of Gospel music's Golden Age, The Chosen Gospel Singers has been among the most mysterious. 11 singles by the Chosen were released from 1952 to 1963, four on Specialty Records and seven on Nashboro. Several, including 'One-Two-Three' and 'Prayer for the Doomed,' became hits, making the Chosen one of the busiest touring groups of the period. Every recording was of high quality, but from release to release, new members would appear, and then disappear. It is not even widely known that Lou Rawls was a member, as his official bio doesn't mention the Chosen, implying that he began his career with the more famous Pilgrim Travelers. But Rawls' one-of-a-kind baritone is featured on 8 of the 22 selections in this collection, the first ever to compile every song the group recorded for Specialty between 1952 and 1955. There are 22 wonderful cuts here, most of which we are hearing for the first time. 'Before This Time Another Year,' 'Don't You Know The Man,' the passionate 'Leaning On The Lord,' 'It's Getting Late in the Evening,' 'No Room in the Hotel,' 'I'm Going Back with Him,' the hand-clapping gem 'Ananais,' 'Don't You Know The Man,' 'The Lifeboat is Coming,' 'Don't Worry About Me,' 'On The Main Line' and 'Stay With Me Jesus.' Every cut here is foot-tapping, joyous revelation, the authentic good old wailing, crying, Gospel stuff. Don't miss this one!

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The Discovery Singers are a marvelous Christian ensemble from Grand Rapids, Michigan who sing as part of the Discovery House ministry and associated radio programs. The songlist: 'Hark The Herald Angels Sing' (which includes 'Angels We Have Heard On High,'), 'It Came Upon A Midnight Clear,' 'While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks,' 'What Child Is This,' 'Angels From The Realms Of Glory,' 'Go Tell It On The Mountain,' 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,' 'O Come All Ye Faithful,' 'O Little Town Of Bethlehem' and 'Joy To The World.' This group sings carols the old-fashioned way, like angels. Beautiful traditional Christmas music with innovative arrangements and sweet, mixed-choral singing!

The Jubilation Singers are a mixed a cappella ensemble formed in 1995 in the Fresno/Clovis, CA area for the purpose of singing Christmas music in Victorian costume. Currently there are 15 members, and judging from the great costumes and smiling faces in the photos in the liner notes, it must be a real Christmas treat to experience them live! Speaking of treats, 23 brightly sweetly and cheerfully sung Christmas favorites are here: 'Joy to the World,' 'The Holly and The Ivy,' 'Ding Dong! Merrily on High,' 'Angel Medley,' 'Adoremus Te,' 'O Christmas Tree,' 'Dona Nobis Pacem,' 'What Child Is This,' the list goes on. Invite an authentic Victorian chorus, and make your Christmas party a Jubilation!

Formed in 1995 in the Fresno/Clovis, CA area, mixed a cappella ensemble The Jubilation Singers got together with the purpose of singing Christmas music in Victorian costume. There are currently 18 performers, including 3 husband and wife duos. They have since expanded their repertoire to include patriotic, jazz, spiritual and other popular selections. Impressively costumed and smiling broadly in the full color liner notes, they look like they're having a great time, and we can dig it! 26 songs, standard carols like 'Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,' 'Silver Bells,' 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,' 'Deck The Halls' and 'Coventry Carol' and pop/romantic songs like 'Holiday Romance,' 'All Alone Beneath the Mistletoe' and 'Merry Christmas Darling' intersperse with patriotic tunes like 'America,' 'America the Beautiful' and 'The Star Spangled Banner.' 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' and 'Auld Lang Syne' are appropriately the last two cuts on this spirited, feel-good CD.

As he approaches his 90th birthday Francis Jackson remains one of the finest, bestloved and most versatile church musicians of his age. The eleven works on this disc, none of them previously recorded, have all the colour, emotional depth and attention to structural detail that are consistent hallmarks of his style. Working closely with the composer, the Exon Singers bring their customary blend of virtuosity, intense commitment and subtle responsiveness to this special birthday tribute.

Nashville, TN's Fisk University's legendary Jubilee Singers, founded by school treasurer and music lover George White, led his group of former slaves on a tour that followed the Civil War's Underground Railroad in an effort to save the school, originally called the Fisk Free Colored School, from financial ruin. The group finally found some success in Ohio, then created a sensation with their spiritual 'secret slave songs' in New York City, beginning a tour of Britain and Europe that saved the school and built beautiful new campus buildings. 'Sacred Journey' is a 2-disk live CD recorded on the group's 2006-7 trip to Ghana, Africa, where they sang in the courtyard of notorious Elmina Castle, a key link in the slave trade. Robert Swope said of the concert, 'This ensemble, through the sheer love of its' performance, brought the glory of His forgiveness to the walls of Elmina Castle and allowed His grace to forgive what, for hundreds of years, was a place torn by human degradation.' Twelve powerful songs, recorded live and without overdub or re-record in any way: 'I Thank You, Jesus,' 'Our Father,' 'Didn't My Lord,' 'Kekeli Tso Kekili Me,' 'We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace,' 'Here is On,' 'My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord,' 'An' I Cry,' 'Mister Banjo,' 'Sweet Home,' 'Mawu nye lolo' and 'Ride the Chariot.' Don't miss this remarkable, profound concert, that brought joy and healing light to the heart of darkness!

Hurray for the British Music Society! I say that with unabashed partisanship. Over many years their promotion and support of British music has been without equal and because of their sterling efforts it is possible to hear and study music of real quality that might otherwise be overlooked. A perfect example of that is this disc of Choral Music by John Joubert. It is my strong belief that Joubert's music is still grossly undervalued. I think he has the dubious honour of being one of the most under-appreciated of living British composers. One of the great delights of the reanimation of the Lyrita label was the discovery of Joubert's 1st Symphony and that combination of melodic flair, tonal beauty and formal control is much in evidence in his choral writing too. The more I listen to this disc the more individual his voice becomes - for any collector interested in British 20th century choral writing this is obligatory listening. This is a reissue of a recording originally made in 1975 - the BMS have labelled it 'historic' which it is purely in a documentary sense - the quality of performance and recording is first rate.The value of this disc is much enhanced by the presence of an autobiographical note by the composer (updated in 2006) as well as his own descriptions of the chosen works. The music divides fairly evenly into works for unaccompanied choir and those accompanied with organ. Joubert favours the straight four-part SATB which gives the music a spiritual simplicity and clarity of utterance that I find most powerful.

A stunning new jazz arrangement by Bill Dobbins of J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio, performed by Grammy-award-winning ensembles The King's Singers and the WDR (West German Radio, Cologne) Big Band. Recorded live in concert last year, this performance captures the timeless and versatile nature of Bach's work, retaining the integrity of the original within a wholly new musical setting. Dobbins's aims in creating the arrangement were four-fold: to convey the Christmas story of the original; to illustrate the musical diversityand imagination of the entire work through selected representative numbers from the original six cantatas;to translate the musical content and dramatic character of the original into jazz and latin idioms while retaining the spirit of Bach's music; and to showcase the talents of the ensembles.