Sting's poignant song, 'Fragile,' expresses our vulnerability, and this sensitive arrangement will touch the hearts of singers and audiences alike. Written in the collegiate a cappella style but accessible to solid high school groups, this tune is timeless. 'Breakfast at TIffany's' is a perennial favorite of student a cappella groups since one-hit wonder Deep Blue Something charted in the 90s, this upbeat tune is finally available in published form. 'Brown Eyed Girl,' a Van Morrison classic is accessible for newly formed a cappella groups, and satisfying for more experienced ensembles. Popularized by Nat King Cole, the Great American Songbook tune, 'Orange Colored Sky,' provides an upbeat vehicle for either a baritone or alto soloist. If your singers are clamoring for an upbeat pop tune from this century, you can't go wrong with Maroon 5's megahit "This Love." Arranged in the collegiate a cappella style but not too difficult for high school groups.

Songlist: This Love, Orange Colored Sky, Brown Eyed Girl, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Fragile

The Best Of Sting 1984-1994 Matching folio to his greatest hits album featuring 14 songs: Fortress Around Your Heart - If I Ever Lose My Faith In You - We'll Be Together - When We Dance - and more.

Songlist: This Cowboy Song, When We Dance, Fragile, All This Time, Be Still My Beating Heart, Englishman In New York, Fields Of Gold, Fortress Around Your Heart, If I Ever Lose My Faith In You, If You Love Somebody Set Them Free, Russians, They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo), We'll Be Together, Why Should I Cry For You?

One of pop music's biggest names, Sting has maintained a strong fan following for a quarter of a century, from his days as a member of the Police and throughout his magnificent solo career. This collection features 31 of his definitive hits, including: Brand New Day - Englishman in New York - Fields of Gold - If I Ever Lose My Faith in You - If You Love Somebody Set Them Free - Message in a Bottle - Russians - Shape of My Heart - They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo) - We'll Be Together - and many more.

Songlist: When We Dance, Fragile, I Was Brought To My Senses, You Still Touch Me, I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying, All This Time, Desert Rose, Brand New Day, Seven Days, Send Your Love, Never Coming Home, Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing), Whenever I Say Your Name, Shape Of My Heart, Message In A Bottle, Demolition Man, The End Of The Game, Englishman In New York, Fields Of Gold, Fortress Around Your Heart, Heavy Cloud No Rain, If I Ever Lose My Faith In You, If You Love Somebody Set Them Free, Love Is The Seventh Wave, Mad About You, Moon Over Bourbon Street, Russians, The Soul Cages, They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo), We'll Be Together, and more

This release by the Leipzig-based Calmus Ensemble follows on the ensemble's recent tour of the US and features remarkable a cappella arrangements of more than a century of popular songs made popular by artists from the Comedian Harmonists to Queen, plus three original songs composed for the Calmus Ensemble by Fredo Jung, including their signature encore Rondo.

Songlist: Wenn ich Vergnugt Bin, Muss Ich Singen, Wohlgefuhl, Bongo Bong, Lullabye / Good Night My Angel, One More Night, Son of a Preacherman, Bring Back that Leroy Brown, Barbara, Wochenend und Sonnenschein, Fragile, Summertime, Kiss from a Rose, Got to Get You Into My Life, Ich Hab Ka Lust, Rondo

The German men's vocal sextet Die Singphoniker was established in the early '80s and has made it its mission to take on a promiscuous variety of music, including plainsong, the repertoires of music for men's voices of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras, as well as folk song and American popular song. In this album the group brings its commitment to diversity to new level. Taking Pierre de la Rue's Requiem, Missa pro fidelibus defunctis (ca. 1506) as its central work, the group intersperses its seven movements with a wild variety of other pieces, including the spiritual Deep River; a movement from Weill's Berliner Requiem; German folk songs; contemporary pieces by Einojuhani Rautavaara, Knut Nystedt, and Hans Schanderl; and arrangements of songs by Sting and Eric Clapton. Even as a recital, this assortment would make for a pretty eccentric mix, but the group takes the further provocative step of describing the album as a unified work: Fragile: A Requiem for Male Voices. Much space in the program notes is given over to debating the pros and cons of the propriety of making such a designation, but the prevailing argument is that the human voice provides the organic unifying element that does in fact allow the diverse pieces to be heard as parts of a larger whole. Listeners will certainly have a variety of opinions on the success of the enterprise, but for those who can approach it as the performers intended it, as a tool for contemplation rather than the subject of analytical dissection, the album has an intuitively meaningful flow.Die Singphoniker may not have quite the level of polish or the velvety blend of other a cappella groups like Chanticleer or the King's Singers, but it is still an excellent ensemble that delivers nuanced and spirited performances. The singing in the demanding de la Rue Requiem is especially beautiful and the group provides the rhythmic punchiness that really brings it to life. The five songs in English may be problematic for English speakers because of the accents of the singers, particularly noticeable in the Sting and Clapton and in Deep River. Oehms' sound is terrific: clean, detailed, warm, and very present

Songlist: Mein junges Leben hat ein End, Fragile, Missa pro fidelibus defunctis, Introitus, Zu Potsdam unter den Eichen, Missa pro fidelibus defunctis, Kyrie, La mort des pauvres (Serenade to Death), Tractus, Deep River, Offertorium, Whispers of Heavenly Death, Sanctus, Peace I Leave With You, Agnus Dei, Communio, Tears In Heaven, Der Mond ist aufgegangen

A four piece mixed group from Australia, "The Idea of North" has compiled an eclectic mix of songs, performed and arranged in an accessible contemporary jazz style. About half are accompanied; the melody line on "My Funny Valentine" is played by a flugelhorn, and there is bass and percussion on several other songs (bassist Duncan Brown plays in the snappin' and poppin' style of the "Seinfeld" theme). "The 23rd Psalm" (arranged by McFerrin) and "Irish Blessing" reveals a traditional side, and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" has a gospel inflection and ragtime vocal horn solo. James Taylor's "Shed a Little Light" and "That Lonesome Road" are included, as is Harry Connick's "Trouble." This is a "crossover" record: it could qualify in either the contemporary or jazz categories. The second CD.has guest artists, James Morrison on Trombone on "Mas Que Nada," and "Fragile," the only two very lightly accompanied songs. This is an impressive, confident CD, reminiscent of the Real Group, and all the tunes are so beautifully arranged, selected and performed, it's hard to pick favorites - so we just sat back and enjoyed the sweet jazzy ride. The full color, beautifully photographed liner notes are a perfect complement to the music. Recommended!

Songlist: Sweet, Sweet Spirit, Fragile, Triste, Takes My Breath Away, Amazing Grace, Trouble, Shed A Little Light/The Gulf War Song, Sitting In Limbo, My Funny Valentine, The 23rd Psalm, You've Got What It Takes, That Lonesome Road, Just A Closer Walk With Thee, The Irish Blessing, My Foolish Heart, Straight To My Heart, It's Alright With Me, Mas Que Nada, Neat Surprise, Singin' A Cappella, Gotta Move On, Two Sides to the Story, Fragile, Abide With Me

The talented three men and three women from Los Angeles who call themselves Sixth Wave first got together in 1999 with the worthy goal of singing in the National Harmony Sweepstakes. To their surprise and our delight, they won the 2001 Finals, and they accomplished their second goal of recording their first excellent CD that same year. Appearing with the luminaries of the a cappella world, The Bobs, Rockapella, Swingle Singers, m-pact and The Perfect Gentlemen, they went to work on "It Will Come to You," their second CD, containing collaborations with Gabriel Mann, Joe Bob Finetti and Michelle Weir, as well as their first three original tunes, Gerald White's "You'll Always Remember the Song," Cindy Bourquin and Gerald's title tune, and a jazz tune by their friend Kent Carlson, "She's Been Around The Block." We have to say right off that "It Will Come" is the best jazz CD we have heard in a long time. From a stellar arrangement of Sting's "Fragile," a sweet cover of the manic jazz chestnut "Twisted," and absolutely nailing Aerosmith's rock anthem "Dream On," to incredibly arranged covers of "Strange Magic," Santana's "Oye Como Va" and a "William Tell Overture" cover that would make not only the Swingles but Rossini himself look over his shoulder, this CD is unbelievably good. The jazz classic "Jeannine," with vocal percussion by Joe Bob, totally soars, and an "Earth, Wind and Fire Medley" that incongruously includes Lennon/McCartney's "Got To Get You Into My Life," with the EWF disco hits "September," "After The Love Is Gone" and "Sing A Song," has to be heard to be believed. We loved Sixth Wave at the finals, and we love this CD!!

Songlist: It Will Come To You, Fragile, Twisted, Dream On, Oye Como Va, Strange Music, William Tell Overture, She's Been Around The Block, You Are There, Jeannine, Eart, Wind and Fire Medley, You'll Always Remember The Song

Its a beautiful world according to Take 6 and a beautiful body of work for their fans across the board. The 10th offering from the sextet is simply called 'Beautiful World'. Although accompanied by instruments played by the six members themselves, the vocal arrangement shine through like the earlier material that originally gave the group their offical stamp in a cappella. Unlike their last studio CD 'So Cool' which was all original material, this entire project is comprised of Pop, R&B, and gospel standards. 'Wade in the Water' and 'Peace in the Valley' are gospel gems reminiscent of 'Get Away Jordan' and 'Mary dont you Weep'. 'People Get Ready' (Curtis Mayfield) with soaring heights and winding riffs takes you for a whole new ride. 'Lovely Day' (Bill Withers) and 'Loves in Need' (Stevie Wonder) are instantly recognizable, but revamped rethoughtand rearranged in a way that only Take 6 can do. Our favorite is the thought provoking 'Fragile' (Sting) where the haunting melody is kept over lush and thick harmonies you expect to hear from Take 6. Dont be surprised if the 13 new songs from 'Beautiful World' make you a fan all over again.

Songlist: Takin' It To The Street, People Get Ready, Grandma's Hands, Love's In Need Of Love Today, Beautiful World, Don't Give Up, Wade in The Water, Someday We'll All Be Free, Everlasting, Fragile, Peace In The Valley, Street Jam, Lovely Day