This great new collection lets singers become part of a full choir and sing along with some of the most-loved songs of all time. Each book includes SATB parts and the accompanying CD features full, professionally recorded performances. Now you just need to turn on the CD, open the book, pick your part, and SING ALONG WITH THE CHOIR! This collection features eight popular jazz standards.

Songlist: Cheek to Cheek, Georgia On My Mind, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, I'm Beginning to See the Light, Moon River, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Skylark, When I Fall in Love

The most important composer in the history of jazz, the legendary Duke Ellington lead his band continuously for five decades. This collection features 52 of his most beloved songs, including: Caravan - Don't Get Around Much Anymore - I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good - I'm Just a Lucky So and So - It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - Mood Indigo - Perdido - Satin Doll - Solitude - Take the A Train - and more.

Songlist: Day Dream, Drop Me Off In Harlem, East St. Louis Toodle-oo, Love You Madly, Ring Dem Bells, Black Butterfly, The Mooch, I Didn't Know About You, Cotton Tail, Passion Flower, Everything But You, Something To Live For, Azure, Solitude, Dancers In Love, In A Mellow Tone, The Single Petal Of A Rose, Warm Valley, I'm Gonna Go Fishin', Jump For Joy, Caravan, Just A Settin' And A Rockin', Duke's Place, What Am I Here For?, Brown Skin Gal In The Calico Gown, Black And Tan Fantasy, Boy Meets Horn, Chelsea Bridge, Prelude To A Kiss, Perdido, and more

Arguably the best female jazz singer ever, no one could out-swing or out-scat "The First Lady of Song." This fine book features authentic transcriptions in the original keys of 25 Fitzgerald classics in voice with piano accompaniment format.

Songlist: A-Tisket A-Tasket, Black Coffee, But Not For Me, Cheek To Cheek, (You'd Be So) Easy to Love, Embraceable You, Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye, How Long Has This Been Going On, I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good), I'm Beginning to See the Light, I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket, I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, If You Can't Sing It (You'll Have To Swing It), III Wind (You're Blowing Me No Good), Just One Of Those Things, The Lady is a Tramp, Let's Call The Whole Thing Off, Lullabye Of Birdland, Midnight Sun, Misty, Oh, Lady Be Good, Satin Doll, Stompin' At The Savoy, Take the 'A' Train

Most large audition calls for musical theatre, both professionally and in larger school situations, specify that those auditioning bring in a "16 bar" excerpt. The professionals in musical theatre often complain that singers don't know how to construct an appropriate 16 bar audition, either in choosing a song or in editing an excerpt. With this new series, that problem is solved forever! Editor Michael Dansicker, a composer/producer/music director, is a seasoned musical theatre veteran, with 100 Broadway credits. He brings his expertise and broad knowledge of the literature to this series. Each excerpt has been given a thoughtful, graceful and effective form. No more illegible scribblings for the poor audition accompanist! An enormous variety of literature is represented, from old standards to movie songs to the latest Broadway and Off-Broadway material. With 100 songs per volume, any singing actor, whatever his or her talents and strong suits, will have many choices. In the preface, the editor gives valuable pointers on the nature of a good audition and some factors in choosing songs.

Songlist: All Aboard For Broadway, Always True To You In My Fashion, And All That Jazz, Another Op'nin', Another Show, As Long As He Needs Me, At The Ballet, Before The Parade Passes By, Better, Broadway Baby, Can You Feel the Love Tonight?, A Change In Me, Colors Of The Wind, Disneyland, Don't Rain on My Parade, Don't Tell Mama, Everything's Coming Up Roses, Flaming Agnes, God Help The Outcasts, Gotta Have Me Go With You, Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm, Hit Me With A Hot Note, Holding Out For A Hero, Honey Bun, The Hostess With The Mostes' On The Ball, How Can I Wait, How Did We Come To This?, How I Feel, Hurry! It's Lovely Up Here!, I (Who Have Nothing), I Ain't Down Yet, and more

A collection of 30 ballads recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Diana Krall, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan, and more! Includes: Black Coffee; God Bless' the Child; I've Got the World on a String; It Might as Well Be Spring; The Man I Love; My Funny Valentine; and more.

Songlist: All Of Me, Almost Blue, The Best Is Yet To Come, Black Coffee, But Not For Me, Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me, Fine And Mellow, The Folks Who Live On The Hill, The Frim Fram Sauce, God Bless' The Child, Good Morning Heartache, I'm Beginning to See the Light, I've Got The World On A String, If I Had You, If I Were A Bell, The Inch Worm, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), It Might As Well Be Spring, Little Girl Blue, Love Letters, Lullaby Of Birdland, The Man I Love, Midnight Sun, My Funny Valentine, Oh, Lady Be Good!, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year, Tenderly, These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You), You've Changed

The Real Vocal Book has many of the selections from volumes 1 and 2 of the instrumental Real Books, but now with the lyrics added to the pre-existing melody line. Nearly 300 essential songs compiled especially for singers.

Songlist: Agua De Beber, Alfie, Alice In Wonderland, All Alone (Left Alone), (All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings, All Of Me, All Of You, All The Things You Are, Alright, Okay, You Win, Always, Angel Eyes, April In Paris, Are You Havin' Any Fun?, Autumn In New York, Autumn Leaves, Avalon, Azure, Baby, It's Cold Outside, Baltimore Oriole, Basin Street Blues, Bewitched, Beyond The Sea, Billie's Blues, Billie's Bounce, Birdland, The Birth of the Blues, Blame It on My Youth, Blue Skies, Bluesette, Body And Soul, and more

15 great standards in custom arrangements for singers, with a companion audio of tasty jazz trio accompaniments (piano, bass, drums). The women's songs are in appropriate, low keys for this style of music. The audio files include PLAYBACK+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right.

Songlist: Black Coffee, Come Rain or Come Shine, Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me, The Frim Fram Sauce, Good Morning Heartache, Hello, Young Lovers, Honeysuckle Rose, I'm Beginning to See the Light, Lost Mind, My Funny Valentine, 'Round Midnight, Route 66, Skylark, Speak Low, You've Changed

All fifty arrangements of jazz standards in this book are written in a single line "fake book" or "lead sheet" format. However, they are not just the standard renditions of the songs. All are custom arrangements, logical suggestions for repeated sections, and simple but stylish song endings. The chords below the lines are the traditional harmonies. The chords above the line are more advanced, alternate harmonies. A musician using these arrangements may use just one set of these chord changes, or a mixture of them within a song.

Songlist: All or Nothing at All, Alright, Okay, You Win, Autumn in New York, Body and Soul, But Beatufiul, Cheek to Cheek, Day by Day, Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me, Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye, Fly Me To The Moon, The Frim Fram Sauce, Gee Baby, Aint I Good to You, Have You met Miss Joses?, Hello, Young Lovers, Honeysuckle Rose, I Could White a Book, I Get Along Without You Very Well, I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good), I'm Beginning to See the Light, I've Got My Love to keep Me Warm, I've Got the World on a String, I've Got You Under My Skin, It Might As Well Be Spring, Just One More Chance, The Late Late Show, Lean Baby, Lost Mind, Lush life, and more

50 Essential Jazz Standards from the repertoir of the greatest artists in New, Custom, Vocal Arrangements and singer-Friendly Keys with Traditional and Alternate Chord Changes.

Songlist: All Or Nothing, Alright Okay You Win, Autumn In New York, Black Coffee, Body And Soul, But Beautiful, Come Rain or Come Shine, Day By Day, Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me, Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye, Fever, Fine And Mellow, Fly Me To The Moon, The Frim Fram Sauce, Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You, Good Morning Heartache, Hello, Young Lovers, HoneySuckle Rose, I Could Write A Book, I Get Along With You Very Well, I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good), I'm Beginning to See the Light, I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, It Might As Well Be Spring, Just One More Chance, The Late Late Show, Lost Mind, Lush Life, and more

This terrific collection includes over 70 songs associated with some of the greatest female vocalists ever recorded. These "ladies of song" include Barbra Streisand, Etta James, Liza Minnelli, Peggy Lee, and Sarah Vaughan, to name but a few.

Songlist: All I Could Do Was Cry, And All That Jazz, Aquellos Ojos Verdes (Green Eyes), Baby (You've Got What It Takes), Be Anything (But Be Mine), Besame Mucho (Kiss Me Much), The Best Is Yet To Come, Blame It On The Bossa Nova, But Beautiful, Buttons And Bows, Cabaret, Call Me, Changing Partners, Come Rain or Come Shine, Daddy, Dear Hearts And Gentle People, Dear Ruby, Dearly Beloved, Don't Be That Way, Downtown, Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, From A Distance, The Girl From Ipanema (Gar™ta De Ipanema), God Bless' The Child, Golden Earrings, Guilty, A Guy Is A Guy, How High The Moon, I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me, and more

Cabaret is a form of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue - a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables (often dining or drinking) watching the performance being introduced by a master of ceremonies, or MC. Here are 54 essential cabaret classics.

Songlist: Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive, Ain't Misbehavin, All By Myself, And All That Jazz, Another Op'nin' Another Show, Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home, As Long As He Needs Me, Being Alive, The Best Is Yet to Come, Blame It On My Youth, Cabaret, Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man, Comedy Tonight, Comes Love, Copacabana (At The Copa), Everything's Coming Up Roses, From This Moment On, How High The Moon, I Am What I Am, I Believe In You, I Wanna Be Loved By You, I Wish You Love, I'd Do Anything, I'll Be Seeing You, I'm Beginning to See the Light, I'm Glad There Is You (In This World of Ordinary People), I've Got You Under My Skin, I've Got Your Number, It's All Right With Me, The Lady is a Tramp, and more

This is the AOH's third spirited recording, and the fun, excitement and feelings of love and nostalgia that come though it are part of the group's tradition. Included is the "Toy Set" that wowed the audience at the 2001 international competition in Nashville. The centerfold of the liner notes is a full-color shot of the 115-strong group on stage in complete "Toyland" costumes, from clowns and roman soldiers to pandas, cats, sailors, space cadets, Spiderman - you name it. It all says "fun," loud and clear, and that's how the group sings. 12 songs are here: "Applause," "I'm Beginning to See the Light," "Through the Years," "My Honey's Lovin' Arms," the Turtles' "Happy Together," "The Music of the Night," "Toy Song," "Toyland," "Short People," "One Alone," "Tonight" and "Friends." That must have been an unforgettable performance at SPEBSQSA Nashville, and this is an unforgettable CD on many levels - most of all the pure, sweet barbershop harmony that flows throughout.

Songlist: Applause, I'm Beginning to See the Light, Through The Years, My Honey's Lovin' Arms, Happy Together, The Music Of The Night, Toy Song, Short People, One Alone, Tonight, Friends

Twenty nine track compilation contains radio & movie soundtrack performances from 1941-45 from the legendary & innovative Delta Rhythm Boys, who were one of the first vocal groups to wear matching color uniforms (most prior groups wore only black tuxedos) & one of the first groups to choreograph their moves on stage. This features the songs "A-Sittin' & A-Rockin'," "East Of The Sun," "Star Dust," "Darktown Strutters' Ball," "How High The Moon" & others.

Songlist: A-Sittin' & A-Rockin', One O'Clock Jump, I'm Beginning to See the Light, Jersey Bounce, Are You For It, St.Louis Blues, Stardust, Get On Board Little Children, Texas Polka, Hey, John, Snoqualimie Jo Jo, My Sacrifice, Darktown Strutters' Ball, Dry Bones, Jack You're Playing The Game, Jut A-Sittin' And A-Rockin', Rigoletto Blues, Snoqualomie Jo Jo, Take the 'A' Train, The More I Go Out With Somebody Else, Give Me Some Skin, I'm Beginning to See the Light, Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me, Shoe Shoe Baby, Paper Doll, How High The Moon, East Of The Sun, Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye, Bugle Woogie

Hi-Lo's : Under Glass / I Presume   

A spate of Hi-Lo's albums have been recently released on CD, but this may be the most auspicious re-emergence yet: the Hi-lo's first two records, paired up for over an hour's worth of great listening. Though some of the cuts can be found on other recordings, the a cappella "Molly Malone" and "Through The Years" aren't available anywhere else, and the remarkable harmonizations that were Gene Puerling's unique artistry are gloriously displayed in a riot of tonal color. Also, "Georgia On My Mind," and "They Don't Believe Me," from their first 1953 recording session for Trend, are included; the latter was on the previously available "Nice Work If You Can Get It" CD, which has since been discontinued. Anyway, suffice it to say, that among the vocal harmony groups of the 1950's, the Hi-lo's were much imitated, but never duplicated, and their appeal is timeless. Mostly accompanied, with orchestrations by frequent music director Frank Comstock.

Songlist: Summertime, The Birth Of The Blues, Skylark, Through The Years, Shadow Waltz, I'm Beginning to See the Light, Chinatown, My Chinatown, The Surrey With The Fringe On Top, In The Blue Of The Evening, Molly Malone, You're the Top, Long Ago And Far Away, Rockin' Chair, Stars Fell On Alabama, Nice Work If You Can Get It, I Thought About You, This Is The Night, Too Young For The Blues, Jeepers Creepers, Put Your Dreams Away, Button Up Your Overcoat, Speak Low, Shoeless Joe From Hannibal Mo, They Didn't Believe Me, Georgia On My Mind

A musical thrill indeed! Vocal jazz at its best with the arrangements of the genius himself Gene Puerling.

Songlist: June In July, Little White Lies, I Don't Want To Cry Anymore, She's Funny That Way, Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets), Island Of Desire, You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me, Fools Rush In, Have You Met Miss Jones, Where Are You, You Can't Hardly Get There Any More, Rockin' Chair, Stars Fell On Alabama, Nice Work If You Can Get It, I Thought About You, This Is The Night, Too Young For The Blues, Jeepers Creepers, Speak Low, Button Up Your Overcoat, Put Your Dreams Away, Shoeless Joe, They Didn't Believe Me, Peg O' My Heart, My Baby Just Cares For Me, Georgia On My Mind, Clap Yo' Hands, Mam'Selle, Lulu's Back In Town, Indian Summer, and more

High Society : Celebrating High Society - A Musical Journey   

Legendary foursome High Society's (Connie Noble, Kim Hulbert, Sandy Shelver and Pat Vozza) being named Sweet Adelines International Quartet Champions in 1976 led to a long, wonderful career, with concerts all over North America, a USO Tour and four top-selling albums, "High Society," "On the Road Again," "By Design" and "Fascinatin'." For all their loyal fans over the years, and for those who have never had the chance to savor the buttery harmonies, sweet leads and ringing, hairs-on-the-back-of-your-neck-tingling held chords of one of Sweet Adelines' all-time great champions, we would highly recommend "Celebrating High Society." A 2-CD collection of 51 tunes, "Celebrating" leaves none of the good stuff out, including every song on their four best-selling albums! All of our favorites, "Take Me to the Land of Jazz," "Get Happy," "Top Hat Medley," "Jump Shout Boogie," "Tin Roof Boogie," "Java Jive," "In My Life," "Crazy," "Fred Astaire Medley," "Lazy River," "Lullaby of Birdland"... they're all here. Treat yourself to a tasty banquet of very Sweet Adelines!

Songlist: Tree In The Meadow, Take Me To The Land Of Jazz, Jazz Baby, As Time Goes By, Jazz Came Up The River, I'll Always Be In Love With You, Someone To Watch Over Me, There's No Business Like Show Business, Didn't We, Get Happy, That Old Feeling, 42nd Street, Top Hat Medley, On the Road Again, How Could You Believe Me Medley, Everything Old Is New Again, Thank You World, Weekend In New England, I Don't Want To Walk Without You, Jump Shout Boogie, God Bless America, Here's To The Winners, I Got Rhythm Medley, Church Bells Are Ringing For Mary, Tin Roof Blues, London By Night, The Secret Of Christmas, Joshua Medley, On The Road Again, A Little Bit Of Happiness, and more

Along with the Mills Bros, the Ink Spots were the most popular black vocal group of the 1930's and 40's, though their careers spanned such duration, that groups are still performing under the Ink Spots name. Their trademark style, with a buttery tenor vibrato over spoken interludes by the bass vocalist, and elegant yet understated accompaniment, generated a spate of hits, including their first big chart appearance with "If I Didn't Care" in 1939. Having found their niche, a series of similarly-produced songs, including "The Gypsy," "Java Jive," "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire" and "Prisoner of Love," capitalized on the record-buying public's attention. Though there were many subsequent personnel changes, the group sustained both artistic quality and popular success, and no music collection is complete without the Ink Spots.

Songlist: If I Didn't Care, My Prayer, Java Jive, I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, I'll Get By (As Long As I Have You), I'm Making Believe, Into Each Life Some Rain Will Fall, The Gypsy, I'm Beginning to See the Light, Prisoner of Love, To Each His Own

Twenty five track compilation brings together greatest hits from the legendary vocal group's early career in the 1930s, and it features their original lineup, incuding the songs "Knock-Kneed Sal," "I'm Beginning To See The Light" & "When The Sun Goes Down"

Songlist: Knock-Kneed Sal, Street Of Dreams, I'm Beginning to See the Light, If I Didn't Care, When The Sun Goes Down, That's The Way It Is, Is It A Sin (My Loving You), We Three, I Hope To Die If I Told A Lie, I Could Make You Care, This Is Worth Fighting For, Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat, Nothin', Memories Of You, Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall, Shout, Brother, Shout, White Christmas, A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening, I'm Making Believe, I Cover The Waterfront, That Cat Is High, I'm Through, I'll Get By, Oh, Red, Maybe It's All For The Best

Michigan Jake's first recording is a hotly anticipated commodity. Beginning with their debut in 1996 (where they placed tenth at Salt Lake), the quartet, from the Cardinal District, has steadily gained traction, pausing temporarily at the number 2 spot in Kansas City. They are odds-on to go all the way next year. Many of their arrangements are by the group's own Mark Hale, Director of the Masters of Harmony Chorus, which says a lot about the caliber of Michigan Jake. They favor the standards of the great American songwriters Kern, Berlin et al, and their sound evokes that elegant and graceful era in style and flavor. Songs such as "Tea For Two" and "Imagination" have an easy swing feel and unaffected delivery that entrances with subtle charm, basking the ear with bright warmth. "Sweet Lorraine" smiles with courtly delight, emphasizing its point with triplets, and sliding into an exuberant finish. Michigan Jake harkens back to the glory days of barbershop while adding a modern freshness and vitality.

Songlist: Sweet Lorraine, Give Me A Night in June, Always, Louise, Imagination, I'm Beginning to See the Light, You Make Me Feel So Young, My Ideal, Tea For Two, All The Pretty Horses, Dinah, Gershwin Medley

Platinum : Be Our Guest   

Coming in second at Anaheim, '99 - Platinum's first year in competition - they generated excitement before the first note was sung, by virtue of their pedigree. The lead, Joe Connelly, and the baritone, Tony DeRosa, were both in the mighty Keepsake, 1992's Championship Quartet. Well, that said, we expected state-of-the-art arrangements, coupled with sizzling performances, and "Be Our Guest" meets the challenge. Most of the material is outside the formal barbershop idiom, with great songs, such as "The Way You Look Tonight," "I'm Beginning To See The Light" and "What'll I Do" representative selections. The tags, of course, are stunning, with special mention going to "Who Will Buy" and the title track - what lung power. If it's subtleties you prefer, "Memories Of You," written by Eubie Blake, has harmonies layered so closely that the voices move as one - complete symmetry. The note placement and phrasing of the "Jimmy Webb Medley," arranged by Jim Clancy, allows the tonality of each voice within the harmony to blossom fully into a resplendent bouquet.

Songlist: Be Our Guest, I'm Beginning to See the Light, What'll I Do?, I Can't Give You Anything But Love, The Way You Look Tonight, Slap That Bass, Bring Him Home, Who Will Buy?, There, I've Said It Again, That Old Feeling, As Long As You're Not In Love With Anyone Else, Why Dont' You Fall In Love With Me, Undecided Medley, Memories of You, Bye Bye Blues, Jimmy Webb Medley - Didn't We / McArthur Park

The University of North Colorado in Greeley's choice of renowned educator and clinician Gene Aitken as Director of their Jazz Studies Program was a very, very good move, leading to an unprecedented Grammy nomination and more Down Beat magazine awards and National Endowment for the Arts grants than any other institution. Featured here are his 3-man, 2-woman Axidentals, performing here with some jazz ensemble accompaniment on P. Winter's title tune (arranged by Randy Crenshaw), "Soul With a Capital "S," and Rodgers & Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things;" but also a cappella on the traditional "Shenandoah," Anders Edenroth's "Chile Con Carne" and the scattish "There'll Never Be Another You." Two man, 3 woman a cappella jazz ensemble Et Cetera's "For the Beauty of the Earth," which soars into surprising directions, and a cover of Sting's "Seven Days" follow. All woman jazz quartet Sus 4 close with B. Dorough's upbeat, accompanied "I've Got Just About Everything" and the moody, a cappella "You Don't Know What Love Is." "Hot XII" is everything we've come to expect fro the UNC Jazz Studies Program, top-quality, well-chosen, beautifully performed and directed, Collegiate Jazz!

Songlist: Dancing Particles, I'm Beginning to See the Light, Shenandoah, Chili Con Carne, There'll Never Be Another You, Soul With a Capital"S", My Favorite Things, For the Beauty of the Earth, Seven Days, I've Got Just About Everything, You Don't Know What Love is

Various Artists : CARA 2001   

This CASA Awards 2001 CD contains an eclectic mix of rock, classical, barbershop, doo-wop, R&B, close harmony, gospel, jazz, folk, pop, hip-hop, world music and more, including some favorites of ours: SoVoSo's "Charity," +4db's "I Burn For You," The Persuasions' "Black Muddy Water," Cadence's "I Wish," Gas House Gang's "Go Tell It On The Mountain," Real Group's "Thousand Things," The Magnets' "All The Wrong Reasons," Michigan Jake's "I'm Beginning to See the Light," Voice Male's "Light In Your Eyes," Artisan's "Dancing With Words" and Univ. of Michigan Amazin' Blues' "Millennium," among others. The best of the year 2001 in a cappella, from CASA's point of view.

Songlist: I Wish Cadence, All The Wrong Reasons The Magnets, Images Five O'Clock Shadow, Light In Your Eyes Voice Male, Millenium University Of Michigan Amazin' Blue, I'm Beginning to See the Light, That Great Day Jon McLemore, How Could You Say No Acappella, Go Tell It On The Mountain Gas House Gang, Charity SoVoSo', Thousand Things Real Group, I Burn For You +4db, We Have Standards The HeeBee-jeebees, Black Muddy Water Persuasions, Dancing With Words Artisan, Matona, Mia Cara (Di Lasso) Douglas Frank Chorale

The members of Western Wind, four men and two women, share an incredible depth of experience and scholarship. Combine that a musical sensitivity that embraces almost any genre, and the result is a "musical history tour." Beginning with the medieval, the group includes Rennaissance polyphony, African-American spirituals and Duke Ellington swing on their journey. "Dolcissimo Uscignolo" and "L'Amfiparnaso" border on the operatic. Philip Glass' "Vessels" (Glass is a contemporary composer of some repute) takes as a central concept a repetitive series of intervals, minor second, major second, minor third, though not in that order, juxtaposed against an arpeggiated scale or repeated tone, conveying a marvelous sense of energy, upward movement and growth. Fifties doo-wop takes a turn with "Sh'boom, Life Could Be A Dream," though the vocal style is much too refined to resemble the original version(s). Four tracks have minimal accompaniment.

Songlist: Introduction:, O Western Wind, Medieval:, Sumer is Icumen In, Flos Regalis, Se d'Amer Me Repentoie, Irme Quiero Madre, Renaissance:, Ay Luna, Miraculous Love's Wounding, L'Amfiparnaso, Act I, Scene I, Dolcissimo Uscignolo, Contemporary:, Vessels, Zango, Mexico Fellaheen, Spirituals:, Amazing Grace / The Promised Land, I Believe This Is Jesus, Folk, Pop, & Jazz, I'm too Tired to Tell You That I Love You, 'Round Midnight, I'm Beginning to See the Light, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), Sh'boom, Life Could Be a Dream, Canary in a Coal Mine, Wimowen, That Lonesome Road

The Western Wind was formed in 1969 and two of the founders are still singing. Perhaps the longevity of the group is due to the fact that their repertoire includes everything except heavy metal. This particular album includes classic American love songs form 1920 to 1950. The works include songs by Rogers and Hart, George Gershwin, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Brian Wilson and John Denver. Though mostly jazz, their classical training comes through on "My Funny Valentine," particularly. Two songs, "Oh, Lady Be Good" and "I Got Rhythm"were arranged by Dick Hyman who accompanies the group on piano. The cd notes include biographies of the composers and info about the music.

Songlist: I'm Beginning to See the Light, Mood Indigo, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, My Funny Valentine, Oh, Lady Be Good, I Got Rhythm, 'Round Midnight, Well You Needn't, Ruby My Dear, Leaving On A Jet Plane, I Can't Make You Love Me, In My Room, Sh'boom, Life Could Be A Dream