The canon of the Comedian Harmonists is recreated by the American Hudson Shad, who on this entertaining and historically compelling CD sing both in English and German, to capture the essence of their inspiration. Accompanied by piano, the Harmonists sound 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. "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.

Songlist: Wochenend Und Sonnenschein, (Happy Days Are Here Again), Blue River, Mein Kleiner Gruner Kaktus, Four Leaf Clover, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), 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)

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.

Songlist: 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 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).

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

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!

Songlist: 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

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!

Songlist: 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