September 27, 2011

Committed - Committed

Alabama's own all male sextet Committed, winners of the second year of NBC's hit show "The Sing-Off," based on Primarily A Cappella's own Harmony Sweepstakes; are lovers of a cappella who happen to be Christians. Their self-titled debut album is a savory, 13 song mix of sacred and secular music that includes covers of Michael Jackson, Al Green, Maxwell, Earth, Wind & Fire and Lynyrd Skynyrd; as well as several nice spiritual tunes, including an original by group member Therry Thomas, the beautiful "Break Free." Jackson's "Hold My Hand" is a live cut of their Sing-Off performance, Maxwell's "Pretty Wings," EWF’s "September," and Green's "Let’s Stay Together" are very fine; and a "new spin" on the iconic rocker "Sweet Home Alabama" pays homage to Huntsville, the group's home base. A member of one of our favorite Contemporary Christian groups, Take 6’s Cedric Dent arranged this version of the traditional "Soon Ah Will Be Done” with a guest vocal by T6’s Joey Kibble. Take 6’s Dave Thomas wrote the lovely "Do Anything” and former group member Mervyn Warren composed "That's When I'll Get Over You." If you watched season 2 of "The Sing-Off," you know how good Committed is, with their powerful, sweet, soulful sound. If not, treat yourself to this wonderful debut collection by this fast-rising, very special a cappella sextet 5973 CD 9.95
Listen to "Nothing Without You

Posted by acapnews at 1:39 AM

September 23, 2011

Martini Quartet - It's Martini Time

Martini Quartet was formed in 2007 over Cosmopolitans at Sandy's place in Tacoma, WA. They were thrilled to compete at the 2010 Sweet Adelines International Convention in Seattle, where they finished 5th against very strong competition! A long distance quartet, all 4 members of Martini are longtime Sweet Adeliners, and active chorus members in their regions. Sandy is the Director of Lions Gate Chorus (of which Shannon is the President) DeAnne lives in Wisconsin and sings with '09 Chorus Champion Melodeers, and Michelle lives in Atlanta, sings with the Song of Atlanta Show Chorus and is their Music Team President. For the 2011 Internationals in Houston, Sandy chose to temporarily step down from Martini and to focus on directing Lions Gate, and tenor Corinna Garriock (formerly of Mojo) sang with Martini in the Quartet Finals. And we just got a newsflash from Houston—Martini has won the Gold!! "It's Martini Time!" shows us why—several of these tunes were performed on stage at the International Finals. 13 songs, some of our favorites are the title tune, "All the Way," "Puttin' On The Ritz," the live cut "How Are Things in Glocca Mora," "Love Me," Annie Lennox's iconic 80s anthem "Sweet Dreams," "The Nearness of You," "Don't Break the Heart that Loves You," "Nighttime in Dixieland/One Step Dixieland Medley" and Leonard Cohen's deathless hit "Hallelujah." Wonderful harmonies, strong leads, great arrangements—this is Gold medal material from Sweet Adelines 2012 Quartet champs Martini! 98377 CD 14.95
Listen to "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You

Posted by acapnews at 1:54 AM

September 18, 2011

Vocal Spectrum - Vocal Spectrum 3

A Barbershop quartet hailing from St. Charles, Missouri, Vocal Spectrum won the Barbershop Harmony Society's International Collegiate Quartet Contest in 2004, then went on to become the 2006 BHS International Quartet Champions. All members of Vocal Spectrum are graduates of Lindenwood University in St. Charles, and all are members of Ambassadors of Harmony, which won BHS International Chorus Gold in 2004 and 2009. The group's distinctive sound centers around the incredibly high vocal range of tenor Tim Waurick and lead Eric Dalbey. There are 12 finely-crafted songs here, some favorites are a trio of Disney tunes, "When I See An Elephant Fly" from "Dumbo," "It's Not Easy" from "Pete's Dragon" and "Aladdin Medley;" "One Hand, One Heart" from "West Side Story;" Jazz Master Thelonious Monk's iconic "'Round Midnight;" Brian Wilson's "California Girls," sung with the fast-rising Swedish Barbership quartet Ringmasters; Gospel tune "I'll Live For Glory," "Willow Weep for Me," arranged by BHS arranging legend Ed Waesche; and U2's "MLK," a soulful tribute to Martin Luther King. Every song is a gem here, and we love how these tremendously talented guys use their range, versatility and love for other genres of music to create one of the most remarkable Barbershop recordings we have heard! 5984 CD 14.95
Listen to "Yes, Indeed!

Posted by acapnews at 1:45 AM

September 14, 2011

Four Bettys - Betty or Not, Here We Come

With a combined 80+ years singing, Four Bettys has paid their dues bigtime. In 2004 they placed 7th in the world at the Sweet Adelines International Competition in Indianapolis, and, like cream, rose steadily to the top: 3rd Place in 2005, 2nd Place in 2006 and not surprisingly, at the 2007 Calgary Convention they were named 2008 Queens of Harmony! "Betty or Not, Here We Come" is a "Best of" collection, so it's hard to pick favorites among these 13 cuts. The Motown standard "Get Ready," the traditional favorite "Danny Boy," the sweet, nostalgic "Pooh Corner," the a cappella chestnut "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," the pop hits "Here's That Rainy Day," "So Much in Love" and "Don't Rain on My Parade;" and Barbershop winners "I Told Them all about You/You Dear Medley" and "I Love You Truly;" and the Spiritual medley "Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone." Four Bettys is all about sweet harmonies, lovely leads, strong arrangements—in short, great entertainment! 9832 CD 14.95
Listen to "Here’s That Rainy Day

Posted by acapnews at 1:51 AM