Hudson Shad

When Hudson Shad gave their German debut in the summer of 1995 they were hailed as the first equal heirs to the Comedian Harmonists by national news magazine Der Stern. This statement has since been repeated many times by the German media - TV, radio and print, both national and local. During three tours and several guest performances Hudson Shad has been welcomed with an enthusiasm as if the prodigal sons had come home. They have sold out prestigious houses like the Theater des Westens in Berlin, the Prinzregenten Theater in Munich and Gewandhaus in Leipzig. On a different occasion in Munich their shows had to be transferred from the medium-sized Lustspiel-haus to the larger Zirkus Krone. What sets Hudson Shad apart from other groups of their genre is first of all their musical professionalism.

Although they sing the repertoire of the Comedian Harmonists in the original arrangements they create their own image instead of limiting themselves to imitation. The polished, funny, imaginative way in which they present their music makes their performances very special. Hudson Shad's repertoire, however, is by no means limited to the Music of the Comedian Harmonists. In their concerts they present American songs of the 20's, including the repertoire of The Revelers, The Mills Brothers and The Paul Whiteman Orchestra. Furthermore, their diversity includes evergreens from the 60's like Martha My Dear and The Lion Sleeps Tonight, as well as gospel songs and Schubertlieder.

In January 1997 they were featured artists in Lincoln Center's bicentennial Schubert celebration with Kurt Masur and the New York Philharmonic. Hudson Shad has a thriving relationship with some of the great conductors and symphony orchestras of the world. The Hudson Shad Quartet frequently performs Kurt Weill's Die Sieben Todsunden. They have appeared with Kurt Masur and the New York Philharmonic, Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony alongside such distinguished singers as Marianne Faithfull and Julia Migenes in the role of Anna. Hudson Shad's performance of Weill's Mahagonny Songspiel with the St. Paul chamber Orchestra was recorded broadcast on NPR in 1996. The summer of 1998 saw Hudson Shad in the Salzburger Festpiele with Dennis Russell Davies and Peter Zadek in performances of Kurt Weill's opera Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny.

Discography

Wand'rin' Stars

Whoopie Ti Yi Yo Tumblin' Tumbleweeds The Big Rock Candy Mountain Home on the Range Rawhide Do Not Forsake Me Mad Cow Boogie Dogies Lullaby My Old Ioway Home Baghdad Cafe Ghost Riders Cool Water Back in the Saddle Yellow Rose of Texas Flowers on the Wall The Last Round Up Wand'rin' Star

The six very talented men from Chicago who call themselves Hudson Shad have recreated themselves in the mold of the 1927 German group, the Comedian Harmonists, and "Wand'rin' Stars" is their 5th CD. Lightly accompanied by piano on all songs, we hardy notice because of the quality and personality of the singing. In love with the jazzy, funny, manic musical style of the roaring 20s, the Shad men could hardly fail to notice Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Western Swing and the novelty "Cowboy Songs" of that period. This CD has 17 wonderful Cowboy pop songs, from "Whoopie Ti Yi Yo," "Tumblin' Tumbleweeds" and "Home on the Range" to more recent ones like "Rawhide," "Do Not Forsake Me," "Flowers on the Wall," "Cool Water" and "Baghdad Cafe." "Mad Cow Boogie" is a funny parody featuring a very proper British "cowboy," "My Old Ioway Home" a nostalgic anthem, a foot-stomping, tongue-in-cheek "Ghost Riders" and "Back in the Saddle" with a verse in perfect German--the whole CD is an entertaining, funny treat!

Listen to "Ghost Riders" in Real Audio.

4517 CD $15.98

Sing Something Simple

Sing Something Simple Jollity Farm I'm Yours Stardust That's My Weakness Now Lonlely House Happy Feet Lonesome Day-O Sixteen Tons So Blue Tenting Tonight Show Me the Way to Go Home I'm Goin' Home Wegenlied

The vocal style on "Sing Something Simple"will ring some bells with anyone who has seen the first "talkies,"sound-tracked movies or cartoons from the Roaring Twenties. This silly, sometimes manic jazzy music from the era of the Flapper went especially well with the new cartoons made popular by Walt Disney and Max Fleischer (creator of Betty Boop). The six male members of Hudson Shad owe a particular debt of gratitude to the American group, The Revelers, and the German group, The Comedian Harmonists. In fact 7 of the 9 songs on "SSS"that were penned in the 20s and 30s were originally recorded by these two groups. The other 7 titles, "Lonely House,""Lonesome Town,""Day-O,""16 Tons,"Civil War lament "Tenting Tonight,""I'm Going Home"and "Wiegenlied"share a bluesy, endless workday theme and/or feeling. Yet however "down"the message, the tempo and optimistic outlook on life remain upbeat. The elements of HS's timeless pop are catchy words, infectious melody, realism, and humor (with light piano accompaniment).
Listen to "Sing Something Simple" in Real Audio.

4499 CD $15.98

Music Box

Mack The Knife Die Forelle Nagasaki Whispering Julia Economics Four Leaf Clover Ali Baba Susan's Dream In Einem Kuhlen Grunde It Never Was The Flowerpot Speak Low Strike Up The Band September Song Lebe Wohl

The Chicago-based Hudson Shad initially attracted attention for the their immaculate re-creations of scores by the German Comedian Harmonists. Their five voices, and piano (the same composition as that of the Harmonists), have now diversified, to include equally charming and delightful songs such as Gershwin's "Strike Up The Band" and several Weill numbers, including "September Song" and "It Never Was You." Amusing novelties, like "Ali Baba," rely frequently on vocalese for effect; "Four Leaf Clover" is an anecdote from the turn-of-the-century music hall. The Beatles' "Julia" lends itself willingly to Hudson Shad's gorgeous interpretation. Incorporating elements of jazz, classical and an inchoate form of what was soon to become popular music, "Music Box" is a sentimental and beautiful record.

5426 CD $15.98

Hooked Again

Wochenend Und Sonnenschein (Happy Days Are Here Again) Blue River Mein Kleiner Gruner Kaktus Four Leaf Clover It Don't Mean A Thing Veronika, Der Lenz Ist Da Liebesleid Whistle While You Work I Had A Dream Die Dorfmusik Stormy Weather Georgia Guitarren Spielt Auf Standchen Gloriana Der Alte Cowboy (The Last Round-up)

Berlin, 1927. The First World War over, the cabaret tradition flourishes and the city is a locus of developing talent. The Comedian Harmonists are founded and the ensemble performs until 1935, when, due to persecution of the three Jewish members under the Nazi Party, they are forced to disband. The canon of the Harmonists is recreated by the American Hudson Shad, who on these two fine CD's sing both in English and German to capture the essence of their inspiration. Accompanied by piano, the result is one part jazz and one part music hall, as on Ellington's "It Don't Mean A Thing," where vocal bass and piano pump out a furious twenties rhythm, augmented by scat and and a vigorous horn solo. The poignant "Liebeslied," sung in German, is all that much more evocative, its sentiment in horrible contrast to the terrible events to follow. "Whistle While You Work" is a masterpiece of vocal orchestration, not to mention whistling, and when the Shad assume the personas of the Dwarfs-well, you just have to buy this record to hear it! The traditional "Die Dorfmusik" has a racuous yodeling motif over a swaying 3/4. The traditional "Callin' My Children Home" showcases the group's close harmonies and tight blend, "My Little Green Cactus" is a naughty paean to something other than succulents, if we know anything at all!

6339 CD $15.98

Spawn Song

Wie War's Mal Mit Lissaben? Callin' My Children Home My Little Green Cactus Stormy Weather Whispering Liebesleid Night And Day Camp Meeting Creole Love Call Baby Wedding Of The Painted Doll Tea For Two A Little Spring Melody Uncle Bumba Auf Wiederseh'n

Hudson Shad is an American group that was inspired by the German Comedian Harmonists, who were formed in Berlin, 1927. The First World War over, the cabaret tradition flourishes and the city is a locus of developing talent. The Comedian Harmonists performs until 1935, when, due to persecution of the three Jewish members under the Nazi Party, they are forced to disband. Hudson Shad's poignant "Liebeslied," sung in German, is all that much more evocative, its sentiment in horrible contrast to the terrible events to follow. The traditional "Callin' My Children Home" showcases the group's close harmonies and tight blend, "My Little Green Cactus" is a naughty paean to something other than succulents, if we know anything at all!

6338 CD $15.98

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