June 11, 2008
Vocal Point - Nonstop
Formed by two BYU students in 1991 in the traditional college glee club format, 9-man Vocal Point discovered a huge interest in their high-energy, wonderfully-arranged covers. "Nonstop" features recordings by 3 different configurations of the group, 2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. Photos of those groups are in the full-color liner notes, where founders Bob Ahlander and Dave Boyce also describe watching their creation win the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella at the Lincoln Center in NYC in April of 2006, an inspiring and moving story. The 16 high-energy cuts begin with a rousing a cappella rendition of the THX/20th Century Fox fanfare, "Spider-Man Theme," Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," Louis Prima's "Sing, Sing, Sing," a very fine "Sunshine Medley" ("Walkin' on Sunshine," "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Let the Sunshine In"), Robert Allen and Al Stillman's 50s harmonic gem "No Not Much," Marc Broussard's Southern-fried foot-stomper "Home," Garth Brooks' beautiful, touching "When You Come Back to Me Again," Michael Jackson's "Thriller," and the final cut, traditional hymn "Nearer My God to Thee." Solid vocal percussion, fine arranging, strong harmonies, powerful leads (especially Michael Buble on "Home")--it all adds up to great entertainment from one of our favorite collegiate ensembles!
1775 CD 14.95
Listen to "Sing, Sing, Sing
Posted by acapnews at 12:04 AM
June 6, 2008
Mickey Rapkin - Pitch Perfect: The Quest For Collegiate A Cappella Glory
In Pitch Perfect, GQ editor Mickey Rapkin follows a season in collegiate a cappella through all its twists and turns, covering the displays of vocal talent, the groupies (yes, a cappella singers have groupies), the rockstar partying (and run-ins with the law), and all the bitter rivalries. Along the way are encounters with boldfaced names such as President George W. Bush, Prince, David Letterman, Barack Obama, Barbra Streisand, Hillary Clinton, Marisa Tomei, Amanda Bynes, Nick Lachey, Merv Griffin, Jim Carrey, Microsoftas Paul Allen, John Legend, and Jessica Biel. At the heart of the narrative are three a cappella groups whose interactions are anything but harmonious: the historic Tufts Beelzebubs, founded more than forty years ago with 40,000 albums sold since and struggling to record a new album that lives up to the hype; Divisi of the University of Oregon, a relatively new, all-female group attempting to overcome a loss in the 2005 championship; and the University of Virginia Hullabahoos, the so-called bad boys of collegiate a cappella, who will attempt to compete on a higher level this year while retaining their casual soul. Bringing a lively new twist to Americaas fascination with talent showdowns and peerless performers, Pitch Perfect is sure to strike a chord with readers. 6843 BOOK 24.95
Posted by acapnews at 12:44 AM
May 24, 2008
Sweet Deliverance - You're My Rock
We have just enjoyed a wonderful performance by all-male Contemporary Christian quintet Sweet Deliverance at the '08 Harmony Sweeps Bay Area Regional, which earned them a very close 2nd place finish (to winner Where's Gesualdo?). "You're My Rock" includes 8 originals by the group, Bass Bob Allsup collaborating with 1st tenor Kevin Percival on the title tune, the Beach Boys-inspired "Thank You," the rocking "It's Alright," the inspirational "God of Hope and Love" and "The Only Way," the foot-tapper "We Sing Holy," the testifying "I Need You." Allsup gets together with tenor Gary Ferguson on the final original, the touching "Broken Heart," before finishing with a very fine 3-song medley, Walt Harrah's "Think About His Love," Russell Fragar's "Show Me Your Ways" and Billy James Foote's "Amazing Love" (You are My King). Every one of these songs uplifts and celebrates the faith of these talented singers, especially their excellent original material. Treat yourself to "You're My Rock," one of the best albums we've heard this year!
2505 CD 14.95
Listen to "You're My Rock
Posted by acapnews at 12:48 AM
May 22, 2008
Naturally 7 - Live in Montreux
Naturally 7 brought their unique style of Vocal Play to Montreux in 2007. These seven incredibly talented singers from New York manage to sound like a full band without the use of any instruments other than their voices and have been wowing audiences around the world. This concert marked Naturally 7's first appearance at the festival and their distinctive arrangements of tracks such as :In The Air Tonight", "Broken Wings", and "Sounds Of Silence" marked a new chapter in their ongoing success story. 2874 DVD 15.95
Posted by acapnews at 12:10 AM
Moss - Moss
Individually, they are five phenomenal and distinctive vocalists: Peter Eldridge, a eclectic vocalist, composer, and member of the New York Voices; Lauren Kinhan, known for her charismatic voice, genre bending originals, and her dedicated years as a member of the New York Voices; Theo Bleckmann, the effusive German-American Meistersinger known for his brilliant collaborations with Meredith Monk; Kate McGarry, a vocal polymath at home with the folk tradition and the Big Apple bandstand; Luciana Souza, the Brazilian whose repertoire ranges from bossa novas and Elizabeth Bishop to Steely Dan. Together, they are MOSS, A vocal supergroup that intertwines jazz, classical, pop, folk, electronica, world music, and poetry into an arresting and unique sonic species of art. A typical vocal jazz record follows a formula: some up-tempo tunes, plenty of moody ballads and a vocalist reaching for the unique without leaving the familiar. The vocal dream team Moss has thrown out the old formula on their new self-titled CD. Not to be pigeon holed, these master vocalists supply their own unique originals along with a bevy of thoughtful arrangements of not so standard tunes (including pieces by Tom Waits, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and e.e. cummings). Throughout this exceptional recording, the vocal quintet's contrapuntal harmonies, silken phrasing, and soulful improvisations, traverse and morph genres with ease and invention. “Hopefully, each song reveals the curiosity and uniqueness of each voice," Luciana Souza writes in the CD liner notes, “and the wonderful and intangible thing that happens when a group of friends blend their voices and sensibilities into one."
7664 CD 15.95
Listen to "Shadows and Light
Posted by acapnews at 12:08 AM
May 9, 2008
Velvet Voices - Essence
Founded in 2002, all-women Dutch Vocal Jazz quartet Velvet Voices has been appearing in some serious European and international events, like the 2003 Voice Mania in Vienna, the Jeunesse—the largest German a cappella festival in Munich), and they won the Jazz Gold at the international "Ward Swingle Awards." There are 11 finely-crafted tunes on "Essence," the group's 5th excellent album, some wonderful covers like Lennon/McCartney's "Come Together," Duke Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," Cy Coleman's "With every breath I take," Freddie Mercury's "You take my breath away," Brown, Sutton and Brody's "Stop," a fine faux trumpet solo on Harold Arlen's "Somewhere over the rainbow," Jones and Wilder's "A child is born," and Paul Jabara and Paul Shaffer's "It's raining man." There's also a pair of very nice originals by group member Gerda, the moody "Try to remember" and "Quarter to five," and one original by group member Monika, the title tune. Each of these beautiful young women can easily sing perfect solos and leads, so even a difficult, dissonant piece like "A child is born" comes off as effortless, and the harmonies are clean, sharp and on perfect pitch. Even a powerful rocker like "It's raining man," which is reprised as a surprise bonus cut with amped-up vocal percussion, is cleanly nailed both times with no sweat. The voices here are so perfect, the sound so effortlessly clean, we had to listen to it again just to fully appreciate it. "Essence" is a gift for the ears by the Velvet Voices, who have, in a very short time, risen to a level attained by only a few elite Vocal Jazz groups, like the Real Group, Vox One and the Swingle Singers. Treat yourself to one of the best of the year!
2507 CD 15.95
Listen to "With Every Breath I Take
Posted by acapnews at 12:34 AM
Syncopation - Wonderful You
Mixed Vocal Jazz quartet Syncopation represented Boston well at the recent Harmony Sweeps Finals in San Rafael, CA, winning a strong ovation from the sellout crowd for songs like the sweet, soaring "High and Dry," which is here on "Wonderful You." There are 9 songs here, our favorites are the a cappella songs, Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and the aforementioned "High and Dry." Of the others, "Invisible War," lightly piano-accompanied, is very nice, as are the more heavily accompanied songs "Breakout," "I Can Fly," the title tune (from The Big Chill), Lennon/McCartney's "Broken Wings" the Motown tune "Betcha By Golly, Wow" and "Getaway." Beautiful leads, harmonies and arrangements, but let us once again make it clear that "Wonderful You" is mostly an accompanied album.
7665 CD 14.95
Listen to "High and Dry
Posted by acapnews at 12:06 AM
May 8, 2008
Vocaldente - Ain't Misbehaving
Surprise National Champs of the 2008 Harmony Sweepstakes Finals, all-male German quintet Vocaldente, appearing last after very strong sets by the previous 8 Regionals winners, quickly got the crowd laughing and on their feet applauding at the end. They easily won Audience Favorite, and it was no surprise when the judges awarded them first place. The title tune of this excellent CD, Cole Porter's "Let's Misbehave," was their opening number, is beautifully done here, as is Kenny Loggins' "Footloose," the group's encore performance. Other winning covers are Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles," George Michaels' "Faith," the Rat Pack favorite "Everybody Loves Somebody" (here mimicking Dean Martin's rendition of the song), Freddie Mercury's "Don't Stop Me Now," a silly faux-ukelele version of Dion's "The Wanderer," and a tongue-in-cheek spoof of Abba's deathless "Mama Mia." Vocaldente sings all these songs (with the exception of "3-Tage Bart," which is in German) in very good English, but their strength is in their innocent, non self-conscious humor, which is not at all harmed by their unexpected and charming German accents. The sweet, pure falsettos, faux horns, strings and other instruments, comic asides and samples (like one from Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" at the end of "Mama Mia") combined with their totally deadpan posing and pretending to play their faux instruments, are all, quite simply, hilarious. While we're laughing at this, we're noticing that their stuff is amazingly arranged (by group members Tobias and Oliver) and that they are top-drawer professional singers and vocal percussionists. From seeing them live, it's also clear that they are having big fun up there, and so are we. Two kinds of genius come together here, comic and musical, to award-winning effect!
2508 CD 16.95
Listen to "MammaMia
Posted by acapnews at 1:14 AM
5one - Get It
2008 Chicago Regionals winner, all male Contemporary quintet 5one (which refers to the strongest cadence found in Western music), hails from Decatur, Illinois' Millikin University. We just had the pleasure of seeing 5one's dynamic set at the Harmony Sweeps National Finals, and the crowd gave a strong ovation to songs like the Animals' "House of the Rising Sun," which is here on "Get It." Other favorites among these 10 songs are a sweet cover of the Beach Boys' "Surfer Girl," Lennon/McCartney's "Come Together" and "Drive My Car," Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman," "Stand By Me," "People Change," "Fallin' Over You" and "Up The Ladder." 5one puts their personal stamp on each of these covers with cutting-edge arrangements, tight vocal percussion and spirited harmonies. This fast-rising group gained many new fans at the Finals, and "Get It" is a strong, head-turning debut CD for them. Good stuff, guys!
2506 CD 14.95
Listen to "House of the Rising Sun
Posted by acapnews at 12:17 AM
March 29, 2008
Zambian Vocal Group - Reach Out
All-male Gospel a cappella octet the Zambian Vocal Group brings us a yummy collection of 12 uplifting tunes with rich, butter-smooth harmonies. Hailing from a community called Kalingalinga, "Reach Out" was recorded by Daniel Mwanza at ZVG Home Studio in Tyler, TX. Especially lovely are originals by group member James Mbewe, the title tune, "Chidzakhala Chokondwelesta," "Kulidzido M'Mwamba" and the sweetly rhythmic "Jalula Mulyango." Also wonderful are the spirited "Shut De Door," a cover of the hymn "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," and "Thank You Very Much" features the endearing lyric, "Thank you, thank you very much, you are the Savior with a spiritual touch." The rhythmic traditional tune "He Gave Her Water" and "Robe and Crown" are other favorites. Inspirational, feel-good, toe-tapping music, from the first cut to the last!
9923 CD 14.95
Listen to "He Gave Her Water
Posted by acapnews at 12:04 AM
March 26, 2008
Blue Cheese - Roll Back The Stone
OK, it's a funny name for a 3-man, 1-woman Bluegrass Gospel quartet, formed by 4 BYU students in 2003, but once we've heard these yummy harmonies and spirited tunes, we aren't likely to forget the name! From the color pictures scattered in the liner notes we see that these four are having a good time performing and spreading their ministry, dressing in blue jeans, non-matching shirts and t-shirts, and even in hillbilly hats and beards. The 15 songs, however, are as simple and powerful as any a cappella Bluegrass or Gospel we have ever heard. "Reaping in the Spirit," "Brethren, We Have Met to Worship," the title tune, "Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort," the wonderful "Angel Band," "Jesus' Love is like a River," "Abide with Me," the traditional Christmas tunes "What Child is This," "Silent Night," the spiritual "Christmas Train," with lyrics by the group, and the traditional "We'll Soone Be Done" are Gospel favorites. Secular tunes like "Danny Boy," with guest artist Kristine Perry, "You are my Sunshine" and "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow" from the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou" are also excellent. Blue Cheese is strong, tasty stuff that takes us back to the beginnings of country music, that makes us want to tap our feet and sing along!
2498 CD 14.95
Listen to "Roll Back the Stone
Posted by acapnews at 12:16 AM
March 22, 2008
Top Barbershop Quartets 2007
July, 2007 in Denver, CO was hot, but the Barbershop Harmony Society's International Quartet competition being held there was even hotter! The gold went to supergroup Max Q, silver to OC Times, followed closely by Storm Front, State Line Grocery and Flipside. Live favorites from the top five are "Little Pat" and "I Got Rhythm/Fascinating Rhythm" medley by Max Q, "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" by OC Times, Storm Front's "I Have Dreamed," State Line Grocery's "On The Sunny Side of the Street" and Flipside's "The Banjo's Back In Town." But listen to the Allies' "Alamo Rag," Wheelhouse's "Anytime," Saturday Evening Post's "That's A-Plenty," 3 Men & A Melody's "Recipe for Making Love" and others by top 20 finishers such as Rounders, Four Aces, Late Show, 12th Street Rag, Voices Only, Nexus and Men in Black, and you'll see that excellence and entertainment were there in abundance on that magic night in Colorado! Also available on DVD
5827 CD 14.95
Listen to ""Rhythm Medley" by Max Q
Posted by acapnews at 12:32 AM
Top Barbershop Choruses 2007
The Barbershop Harmony Society's International Chorus competition, held in Denver, CO in July of 2007 saw California's Westminster Chorus emerge with the gold, singing gems like "Their Hearts Were Full of Spring" and "Strike Up the Band/Everybody Step" medley, followed by Ambassadors of Harmony, here singing "They Didn't Believe Me," local favorites Sound of the Rockies, singing "Colorado, My Home," and the Northern Lights, singing "'Cross the Mason Dixon Line." But listening to top-20 finishers like Voices in Harmony sing "The Sunshine of Your Smile," The Alliance's "When It's Nighttime in Dixieland," Atlanta Vocal Project's "Shakin' The Blues Away," Vocal FX's "When My Sugar Walks Down the Street," Cambridge Chord Company's "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans," and the Alexandria Harmonizers' "Happy Feet Medley," makes it clear to us what a tough decision the judges had to make!
5828 DVD 24.95
Posted by acapnews at 12:15 AM
March 14, 2008
Euphorics - Born To Sing
Two man, two women Canadian Contemporary Quartet the Euphorics, blew us away winning the 1999 Harmony Sweeps Bay Area Regional and gave a great performance at the Finals. We loved their debut album "Standing Up for Love" by have been waiting patiently for its sequel, and now happily hold "Born to Sing" in our hot little hands! The wonderful harmonies and leads by Joni Bye (alto/soprano), Helen Davis (alto/soprano) and Bing Jenson (bass) are as solid and crisp as ever. There is one significant change, the fine tenor of Nathan Aswell, has been replaced by that of David Steele; but we have to say the group is sounding better than ever. "Born to Sing" has 10 songs, beginning with a Curtis Mayfield/Bob Marley medley, "People Get Ready/Three Little Birds/One Love," a very funny group reggae original, "When the Big One Comes," a sweet Lennon/McCartney medley, "Eleanor Rigby/Across the Universe," Billy Joel's "River of Dreams," Richard and Robert Sherman's "I Wanna Be Like You," a nice traditional medley, "Down to the River to Pray/I'll Fly Away/Man of Constant Sorrow," bass Bing's hit from the Sweeps, "I Sing Low," "When the Night Feels My Song," Neil Young's "After the Goldrush" and closing with Stevie Wonder's "As." Every one of these is a winner. The Euphorics have a huge, spirited sound and put on a live show as entertaining as any we have seen. Treat yourself to "Born to Sing," and enjoy!
2501 CD 14.95
Listen to "After the Goldrush
Posted by acapnews at 11:54 PM
February 19, 2008
Banda de Boca - Banda de Boca
Four man, one woman Brazilian a cappella Jazz ensemble from Salvador da Bahia present their debut CD and lovely, full-color liner notes, all in Portuguese. Ditto with their website, but one of the things we love about a cappella is that the music speaks very eloquently for itself! There are 14 juicy, original tunes here, written and arranged (as far as we can tell) by talented Brazilian composer and musician Hiran Montiero. Banda uses only voices, has a sweet, sassy, funky-clean sound, and specializes in faux horns, guitar, bass and percussion. Listen to the drum lead on "Relampiono," the horn solo on "Chico Bento," and the sizzling percussion on the Salsa tune "Domingo No Parque" to get a taste of what this group can do. Other favorites are the moody "Muito Mais," finger-snapping "Cada Olhar," joyous "Palavra" and the percussion gem "Bilboque." Don't let the no-English issue keep you from enjoying one of the most cutting-edge, high-energy Vocal Jazz groups we've heard in a long time. Every cut is a winner!
7636 CD 15.95
Listen to "Samba Da Bahia
Posted by acapnews at 12:00 AM
February 15, 2008
Great Northern Union - It's a Grand Night for Singing
Since their forming in 1985, Hilltop, MN's male performing chorus has qualified for the Barbershop Harmony Society Internationals 19 years in a row, earning 7 medals. The 14 cuts on "It's A Grand Night for Singing" show off the rich harmonies, innovative arrangements, and pure entertainment of the GNUC, one of the finest mens' choruses in the Midwest. Hard to pick favorites, but Oscar Hammerstein's title tune, Richard Rodgers' "My Funny Valentine," the upbeat Barbershop chestnut "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo," John Denver's "Annie's Song," James Taylor's "That Lonesome Road," Lennon/McCartney's "Ob La Di," the heart-tugging "Young and Foolish," Irving Berlin's "When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam'," the traditional Scottish "Loch Lomond" and the raucous English sea shanty "What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor" will suffice. A fourth powerful, winning collection from one of SPEBSQSA's best!
5824 CD 14.95
Listen to "Annie's Song
Posted by acapnews at 12:13 AM
February 14, 2008
Straight No Chaser - Another Round
One of our favorite Collegiate a cappella groups, Indiana University's 9-man Straight No Chaser (great name, by the way) goes after another CARA award with the release of another winner (their 7th), "Another Round." 14 beautifully-arranged (by group members Tyler Trepp, Jeff Tanski, Walter Chase and Nick Jaenicke) covers; some favorites are B. McNight's "Superhero," Billy Joel's "Allentown," Rascal Flatts' "I Melt," M. Broussard's "Wanderer," Cole Porter's "I Get A Kick Out of You," the Hansons' "Penny and Me," Stevie Wonder's "As," Nsync's "Something Like You" and a live cut of Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music, White Boy." Solid vocal percussion, great harmonies and solos, energy and attitude—what's not to like?
1773 CD 14.95
Listen to "I Get a Kick Out of You
Posted by acapnews at 12:51 AM
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