The members of Western Wind, four men and two women, share an incredible depth of experience and scholarship. Combine that a musical sensitivity that embraces almost any genre, and the result is a 'musical history tour.' Beginning with the medieval, the group includes Rennaissance polyphony, African-American spirituals and Duke Ellington swing on their journey. 'Dolcissimo Uscignolo' and 'L'Amfiparnaso' border on the operatic. Philip Glass' 'Vessels' (Glass is a contemporary composer of some repute) takes as a central concept a repetitive series of intervals, minor second, major second, minor third, though not in that order, juxtaposed against an arpeggiated scale or repeated tone, conveying a marvelous sense of energy, upward movement and growth. Fifties doo-wop takes a turn with 'Sh'boom, Life Could Be A Dream,' though the vocal style is much too refined to resemble the original version(s). Four tracks have minimal accompaniment.

Twenty-five tracks narrated by Theodore Bikel, who explains and describes much of the tradition associated with each composition, this frequently and beautifully accompanied CD reflects the 'diverse and multi-national nature of the Jewish experience.' The detailed liner notes further elaborate on Jewish history and the CD's content, which encompasses Sephardic songs, folk melodies, European nineteenth-century classical, and more. 'Maoz Tzur' (Rock Of Ages in English), is a German synagogue melody with an arrangement from 1720 by the Italian, Marcello. The Western Wind, a mixed sextet, has a refined and cultured tone, and each piece is performed with a quiet dignity.

The Western Wind was formed in 1969 and two of the founders are still singing. Perhaps the longevity of the group is due to the fact that their repertoire includes everything except heavy metal. This particular album includes classic American love songs form 1920 to 1950. The works include songs by Rogers and Hart, George Gershwin, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Brian Wilson and John Denver. Though mostly jazz, their classical training comes through on 'My Funny Valentine,' particularly. Two songs, 'Oh, Lady Be Good' and 'I Got Rhythm'were arranged by Dick Hyman who accompanies the group on piano. The cd notes include biographies of the composers and info about the music.

A Delightful and moving compendium of early American song including Shaker Songs, New England Anthems' Folk-hymns and Fuging-Tunes by rough-hewn Yankee tunesmiths Billings, Ingalls, Jenks and Wood. Also featured are Southern Spirituals, both black and white, including the first published version of Amazing Grace (called New Britain) and the first piece of published music written by an American woman, The Promised Land by Miss M Durham.

The versatile six-member Western Wind bring us a 'sacred vocal collection for Christmas, Medieval, Renaissance, Early American, Contemporary.' Twenty amazing cuts, from William Billings' 'Boston' and 'Bethlehem' to Elliot Levine's 'Mary Heard The Angel's Voice' and 'I Lift Up Mine Eyes To The Mountains,' the Western Wind shows off its authenticity and diversity. Just listen to 'If Anybody Ask You Who I Am,' 'I Believe This Is Jesus,' Hale Smith's 'I'm Coming Home,' 'The Cherry Tree Carol' and di Lasso's 'Nos Qui Sumus' and you'll appreciate how good Western Wind really is!

A rich assortment of holiday music from the Middle Ages to the present, woven together with narration by Roma Downey (Touched By An Angel). Holiday Light features glorious new arrangements of 'Angels We Have Heard,' 'Silver Bells' and 'Christmas Time Is Here' (of Charlie Brown fame), created especially for this double CD set. 'Sung with impeccable intonation, flawless balance and a supple sense of rhythmic flexibility that keeps the ear in a constant state of anticipation.' Ð Buffalo News