July 14, 2009

Ringmasters - Ringmasters

The Swedish Barbershop quartet Ringmasters was founded in the fall of 2006, and they immediately were named "the young talents" in Barbershop circles. In the summer of 2008 they won their first International Gold in the Bank of America Collegiate Quartet Contest. And in 2009 they surprised the world at the Anaheim BHS Internationals, tying State Line Grocery for 4th Place. That marked the first time that a non-US group had placed in the top 10! "Live" is a limited edition, live recording of 8 songs at the Swedish venue Nybrokajen 11. Don't be too surprised to hear beautiful women's voices join Ringmasters (what a great Barbershop name!) on "Live," they are joined by Swedish Folk a cappella quartet Kraja on two cuts, "Come In and Stay Awhile" and "Limu, Limu, Lima." The other six tunes are Simon & Garfunkel's "Baby Driver," "Lazybones," Lennon/McCartney's "Can't Buy Me Love" and "Blackbird,"  "Blue Skies" and "Yes Sir, That's My Baby." Ringmasters have a fresh, powerful sound that obviously delights their live audience in addition to us. The Swedes are coming, and you really should hear them! 5862 CD 14.95
Listen to "Yes Sir, That's My Baby

Posted by acapnews at 1:36 AM

Masters of Harmony - Portrait

"Portrait" is a strong new collection from the dynamic, 7-time BHS International Chorus champions Masters of Harmony. 15 finely-crafted tunes including some of our favorites "Go Down Moses, "I Will Go Sailing No More," "Good Luck Charm" and "Sold" (sung with 2008 BHS Quartet champs OC Times), "Stand By Me," "Nice 'N Easy" (sung with 2008 Far Western District Quartet champs Masterpiece, "Yona From Arizona," "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" and "Portrait of My Love Medley." The Masters, directed by Michigan Jake member Mark Hale, has a wonderful, complex sound that adds new dimensions to these classic songs. Enjoy one of Barbershop's great champion choruses's. 5854 CD 14.95
Listen to "Stand By Me

Posted by acapnews at 12:08 AM

July 11, 2009

Max Q - Journey

Dynamic 2007 BHS International Quartet champs Max Q, Greg, Tony, Jeff and Gary bring us their long-awaited new CD, "Journey," and the bottom line is that we can still call them "Supergroup" Max Q! 11 songs, "Put Your Arms Around Me Honey/Them Girls Medley," John Denver's classic "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and "Somewhere," the joyous "Steppin' Out With My Baby" and "Royal Garden Blues," the lovely "I Heard You Singing," the foot-tapping "Rhythm Medley," the heart-tugging "Little Pal," "Somebody Loves Me" and "Don't Rain On My Parade." Max Q is pure entertainment, and they are sounding better than ever! 5861 CD 14.95
Listen to "Somebody Loves Me

Posted by acapnews at 12:00 AM

July 9, 2009

Crossroads - Crossroads

Crossroads is the new "superquartet" on the Barbershop Block, formed of four singers who are former BHS International Gold medalists in their own right, tenor Fred Farrell, lead Mike Slamka, bass Jim Henry and baritone Brandon Guyton. Henry won Gold in 1993 as a founding member and arranger of the legendary Gas House Gang, and is currently musical and artistic director of the 160-voice Ambassadors of Harmony. Guyton pocketed Gold in 2002 with Four Voices, Slamka sang his way to Gold with 2003 champs Power Play, and Farrell wore Gold with 1989 Quartet champs Second Edition. With this much vocal and arranging talent and experience, it came as no great surprise that newly-formed Crossroads struck Gold again in Anaheim, CA in 2009! Their new CD just arrived in our hands hot off the presses: 12 tunes plus a bonus track, "Lydia." "You Don't! You Won't!," "Georgia May," Roy Orbison's "Crying," the nostalgic "Little Patch of Heaven" and "Daddy's Little Girl,"  the Simon & Garfunkel anthem "59th Street Bridge Song" (Feelin' Groovy), the upbeat "Back In Business," "Roll, Jordan, Roll," "Mean To Me," "Mobile," "Better Than I" and "Country Dances" all feature butter-smooth harmonies, sweet leads, ringing, effortless held chords, deep bass parts, perfect arrangements and the shear joy of singing of these four new/old champions. Listen to "Crossroads," officially, and actually, Barbershop's best! 5860 CD 14.95
Listen to "Back in Business

Posted by acapnews at 12:06 AM

July 7, 2009

The Vocal Majority - Something's Coming

Founded in 1972 in Dallas, TX, and under the able baton of musical director Jim Clancy, the all-volunteer 140-plus voice male a cappella chorus is known for its mastery of technically demanding close harmony. The Vocal Majority holds an unprecedented eleven Gold Medals in International competitions of the Barbershop Harmony Society, making it the most successful musical organization of its kind in the world, and truly deserving of the title, "America's Premier Pops Chorus." The Chorus's repertoire encompasses music from the classics, jazz, patriotic, sacred, standards, barbershop and Broadway pops. "Something's Coming" is a long-awaited, all new recording from the VMC (which also features 2007 BHS Gold-winning Quartet MAX Q) of 11 Broadway pops hits. Our favorites include the title tune (from "West Side Story"), "What Kind of Fool Am I?" from "Stop the World--I Want to Get Off," "Luck Be A Lady" from "Guys and Dolls," "Aquarius" from "Hair," "Memory" from "Cats," "Somewhere," also from "West Side Story," "Ol' Man River" from "Showboat," and "Circle of Life" from "The Lion King." This veteran touring chorus nails every cut, at once powerful and subtle, with four-part harmonies that we can only describe as "magnificent." Treat yourself to some of the world's best entertainment, from the Vocal Majority! 5855 CD 14.95
Listen to "Ol' Man River

Posted by acapnews at 9:55 PM