Though not generally identified with blues, in fact barbershop does have something in common with jazz and blues alike - they are all distinctly American musical forms. As David Wright says in his liner notes describing the quartet (he also arranged four songs), "the richness of their blend evoked the texture of blues and gospel..." These 1996 gold medalists (and members of the heralded Masters of Harmony Chorus), are indeed staking out their own forty acres of barbershop territory. Sublime adaptations of the title track, "How High The Moon," "Satin Doll," "Steal Away" and "Baby It's Cold Outside" are just some of the wonderful surprises in store. While staying true to the core structure of barbershop, these arrangements are festooned with borrowed inflections from other styles, and gently evoke the romance of days gone by! |
