Review: Northbrook, IL's veteran Melodeers Chorus has been the picture of Sweet Adelines consistency, having captured International Chorus Gold in 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004 and, in the fall of 1998 in Honolulu, 2008! Musical Director Jim Arns has contributed his superb arranging, teaching and direction skills to each of these wins, and the Chorus could not be more proud to call him their own. "Circle of Fifths" is a generous helping of Melodeers, 18 sumptuous cuts, including three live recordings, "Time After Time" and "Love Letters Straight From Your Heart," recorded live on the Internationals stage in Honolulu, and "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," recorded live at Las Vegas Arena. Other favorites are "Here and Now," "Sailin' Down the Chesapeake Bay," "Ring Out The Bells in Dixieland/Cross The Mason Dixon Line Medley," "Elmer's Tune," "Wonderful Day Medley," four very funny "Music Theory Geek Parodies Set to the music from the Nutcracker Suite," "The Winner's Song," and "We are Family." Every cut here is beautifully crafted, entertaining and sung with passion and spirit by one of Sweet Adelines' great choruses. "Circle of Fifths" is a stone winner!

Songlist: Here and Now, Sailin' Down the Chesapeake Bay, Why Did I Choose You?, I Wanna Be Around, Time After Time, Ring Out the Bells in Dixieland/ 'Cross the Mason Dixon Line Medley, Elmer's Tune, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, I Told Them All About You/ You Dear Medley, Wonderful Day Medley, Love Letters Straight From Your Heart, Music Theory Lesson on the Circle of 5ths, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies, Waltz of the Flowers, Dance of the Reeds, Russian Dance, The Winner's Song, We are Family

Review: Formed in 1960, the 125-strong Sweet Adelines chorus the Melodeers have been named International Champions three times. Director Jim Arns did more than half of the arrangements on the CD, and he gets a lot of credit for the group's energetic and vivacious style. There are 12 songs here: "We'll Sing All We Know Tonight," "My Honey's Lovin' Arms," "The Churchbells are Ringing For Mary," "Let Freedom Ring," "Rocky Top," "The Chicago Medley," "It's Your Song," the very funny "I Wanna Come Back As A Man," "Fever," "Hooked On A Feeling" and "The Seventies Medley" ("I Got You Babe," "Stayin' Alive" and "YMCA") plus a pair of live tracks recorded at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, "Floatin' Down to Cotton Town" and "Oh How I Miss You Tonight." These women sing like there's no tomorrow, and that's what makes the Magic!

Songlist: We'll Sing All We Know Tonight, My Honey's Lovin' Around, The Churchbells Are Ringing For Mary, Let Freedom Ring, Rocky Top, The Chicago Medley, It's Your Song, I Wanna Come Back as A Man, Fever, Big Hair, Hooked On A Feeling, The Seventies Medley, Floatin' Down To Cotton Town, Oh How I Miss You Tonight

Review: Since their formation in 1960, the Melodeers, a 125-member Sweet Adelines Chorus, have won the International Championship twice in succession (1997, 1998). Their energetic and vivacious style must also be credited to their redoubtable director, Jim Arns, who also wrote some of the arrangements. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" offers every imaginable variation (echo, contrast motion, swipes, modulation) of the familiar refrain, and sets up the grand finale with a turnaround, pushing the phrasing to make room for a zestful seventh chord and another key change. "Psalm 98/Shalom" begins on a long open note, gradually converging to the dominant; the subsequent section is a rapid fire allegro, broken by a repetitive adagio two-part interlude. Sound unconventional? It is. "Silent Night," "The Christmas Song" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" are among the many traditionals. The Chorus lets loose on "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer."

Songlist: Jingle Bell Rock, Silent Night, The Christmas Song, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer/ Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer Medley, Coventry Carol, A Holly Jolly Christmas, Do You hear What I Hear?, Carol Of The Bells, Psalm 98/ Shalom, The Christmas Song, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Christmas Chopstix, Jingle Bells, Hallelujah Chorus

Review: The current Sweet Adelines Chorus Champions, the Melodeers, directed by Jim Arns, have crafted a proficient recording of Sweet Adelines classics, standards and even the "Hallelujah Chorus." "The Auctioneer's Song" is a lively and comic tongue-twister; the understated introduction of "I Remember You" soon gives way to a brisk swing feel, while "Orange Colored Sky" practically gallops to the finish line. "Mamma Goes Where Papa Goes" features dramatic pitch deceleration in its opening verse-an attention-getting device used effectively here. The racuous "Blues Bros. Medley" (recorded live, as were several of the tracks) red-lines it throughout-The Melodeers have energy to spare and constitutions that thrive on very little oxygen! "Mission Accomplished" indeed!

Songlist: Floatin' Down to Cotton Town, Forgive Me, For Sentimental Reasons, The Auctioneer Song, You're the Spirit of Sweet Adelines, I Remember You, Orange Colored Sky, Mamma Goes Where Papa Goes, You Keep Coming Back Like a Song, Hallelujah Chorus, You Made Me Love You, Blues Brothers Medley