How appropriate that the King's Singers would pay tribute to the seminal pre-world War II German group who had such an influence on the development of a cappella. The Harmonists, who were ultimately forced to disband by the Nazi government, were a six-member ensemble (five voices and a pianist) who were at the vanguard of the cabaret vogue of pre-war Berlin. Their set comprised jazz standards, German lied, classical pieces and a hearty portion of silliness ("My Little Green Cactus," "Eins, Zwei, Drei, Vier." ). The British King's Singers have lovingly selected sixteen songs from the Harmonists' repetoire, which they in turn arranged for themselves, resulting in a happy marriage of both. "Overture from 'Il Barbiere Di Siviglia'" is a clue to the inspiration of the Swingle Singers; "Tea for Two" is nothing like the original, but is slowed to ballad tempo, with a host of jazzy chord voicings-a sublime rendition! |
