These seven talented guys from Chicago, six vocalists and one arranger, started singing together at Illinois' Milliken University, where they won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in 2001. They were 3-time winners of the Chicago Harmony Sweeps Regional before finally being named National Champs in at the Finals in San Rafael, CA in 2004. Chapter 6 was also featured on American Idol Season 7 in conjunction with bandmate Luke Menard's "Top 16 run." Taking regular breaks from their extensive touring schedule to record, new release "Color by Numbers" is their 7th excellent album, in addition to a live DVD and a songbook. There are 14 recordings of fan favorites here, including the jazzy, scattish "Rainbow Connection" and manic, swingin' "Harold's House of Jazz," the very funny "Reverb" (sung to the tune of "Fever"), great faux horns and vocal percussion on "Interlude I (I Dream of Jeannie)," a breezy, sweet lead and new arrangement of Lennon/McCartney's "Penny Lane," a salsa-flavored arrangement of "Pure Imagination," a brilliant, funny Swingle Singers take on "James Bond Meets the Sugar Plum Fairy," a pair of short, yummy Interludes, "II (I'm Looking It Up Online)" and "III (Invention);" A bluenote, rainy-day jazz arrangement of "Let's Stay Together," a finger-popping original, "Left-Handers Unite!," a surprisingly hip arrangement of "Fairest Lord Jesus" and a lightly piano-accompanied vocal symphony of "Rhapsody in Blue" that is a soulful, harmonic tour de force! |
