We've been big fans of the Standards, five sweet-singing brothers from Idaho, twice when they nearly won the Harmony Sweepstakes Finals, and then there were their four excellent CDs. "Collection" is a sometimes accompanied, 16-song best-of album that may be better described as a "tour de force" album. Our favorites are of course the a cappella cuts, "I Got A Feelin'," "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," a kickin' vocal percussion arrangement of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl," a dreamy, soaring "In Absence," wonderful vocal "horns" on the Mamas and the Papas' hit "California Dreamin'," the rhythmic, powerful "I Can't Break Away," and live covers of Bill Withers' "Lean On Me," "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," the Motown hit "Just My Imagination," "Brown Eyed Girl," Smoky Robinson's hit "My Girl," the Doo-Wop anthem "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and the jazzy, surprising "Single Grain of Sand." These last seven tunes remind us of why we loved The Standards, one of the best live shows in the business, wonderful harmonies, strong vocal percussion, leads to die for. "Collection" is big fun, don't miss it! |