For the 15 years of its existence, The Masters of Harmony has been the toast of the barbershop chorus world, winning the coveted SPEBSQSA gold medal five times-whoops, make that six with their 2005 triumph in Salt Lake City! This, and "The Way We Were" are proof that the best keep getting better. A walk down memory lane from their winning performances under 3 directors, Mark Hale, Jeff Oxley and Brett Littlefield, this collection of 14 winners also includes signature songs from the Masters' four international champion quartets, Nightlife, Revival, Michigan Jake and Gotcha!, all with close ties to the group. Al Jolson's "California, Here I Come" tops the bill and begins like a train getting up to steam, Sammy Cahn's "All the Way" segues into a Southern trilogy, "The Birth of the Blues," "Song of the South" and a wonderful "Here Comes the Showboat;" "Singin' In the Rain Medley," "Make 'Em Laugh," "That's How Rhythm Was Born," the heart-tugging title tune, "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" (surprisingly with orchestra, saxophone and piano)--the hits just keep on coming. The "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "The Stars and Stripes Forever" end this powerful collection on just the right note. Our congrats to the M of H for their recent win at SLC, and for bringing us this "best of the best" CD! |
