Johnny Mercer (1909-1976) was not only one of America's greatest lyricists - he helped define the American South from the outside in. His words paint rich and vivid portraits of life in his native Georgia. Mercer wrote a wide variety of songs, from lush, dreamy ballads to plays on colloquial American expressions. He joined forces with some of the most talented composers of his day, including Harold Arlen, Hoagy Carmichael, and Henry Mancini, to fashion one of the most startlingly original catalogs in American popular music. This songbook commemorates the centennial of his birth with piano/vocal sheet music arrangements (including guitar chord frames) for 46 of his most famous and best-loved classics.

Songlist: DREAM, EMILY, LAURA, SKYLARK, BLUES IN THE NIGHT, CHARADE (FROM 'CHARADE'), COME RAIN OR COME SHINE, DAY IN DAY OUT, Days of Wine and Roses, I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU, I WANNA BE AROUND, SATIN DOLL (VOCAL VERSION), SUMMER WIND, TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS, YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL BABY, I'M AN OLD COWHAND (FROM THE RIO GRANDE), FOOLS RUSH IN (WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD), GOODY-GOODY, AC-CENT-TCHU-ATE THE POSITIVE, AND THE ANGELS SING, ANY PLACE I HANG MY HAT IS MY HOME, AUTUMN LEAVES A/K/A LES FEUILLES MORTES, DRINKING AGAIN, G.I. JIVE, GLOW WORM, THE, HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD, I'M OLD FASHIONED (Lyric Version), IN THE COOL COOL COOL OF THE EVENING, JEEPERS CREEPERS, LAZYBONES (a/k/a LAZY BONES), and more

Various : Jazz Junior

Alfred's top vocal jazz arrangers were called upon to contribute Great American Songbook arrangements designed to introduce beginners to the genre. And oh, how they delivered! This is an indispensable collection for young soloists or unison singers including reproducible student pages and a fabulous foreword (with developmental exercises) by Dr. Michele Weir. Enhance the jazzy vibe with full rhythm section accompaniments on the available audio. Teach swing, scat, jazz articulations, stylizations, and more! Recommended for grades four and up

Songlist: Bye Bye Blackbird, Duke's Place, Fascinating Rhythm, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)., Jeepers Creepers, Let's Call the Whole Thing Off, Misty, Orange Colored Sky, Over the Rainbow, Straighten Up and Fly Right

This enhanced CD receives udos for excellent entertainment value. Countdown, from the Far Western District, have exercised their imaginations to the fullest, providing not only a baker's dozen of enjoyable barbershop tunes, but a veritable extravaganza of amusement. Take the Countdown quiz, watch a video, or play our personal favorite, "Whack A Barbershopper!" This is not to discount the quartet's vocal abilities, whether playing it straight ("Roses of Picardy," "There Used To Be A Ballpark," "Turn Around"), or light-hearted ("Mobile," "18 Wheels On A Big Rig"). Ingenious.

Songlist: South Rampart Street ParadeKen Potter, Roses of Picardy, There Used to Be a Ballpark, Jeepers Creepers, Turn Around, River Stay 'Way From My Door, Mobile, I'm Gonna Lock My Heart, Time After Time, So Long Sally, Sixteen Tons, Old St Louis, 18 Wheels On A Big Rig

This recording of Chicago's Dells, featuring Johnny Funches, showcases their early years (1953-1959); the group continued to perform through the 1990's with lead singer Johnny Carter, ex of the Flamingos). Longer on enthusiasm than polish for their first release, on Chess, 'Christine,' the group would accumulate an expertise that resulted in hits such as 'Oh What A Night,' 'Why Do You Have To Go' and 'Pain In My Heart.,' issued on Vee Jay. Furthermore, upon exploring more complex harmonies and getting tighter, they became in-demand session singers, providing backup on over sixty recordings! Their sound is carefree, smooth and fundamental (suggesting a Spaniels/Moonglows influence). Nine of the cuts were previously unreleased.

Songlist: Darling I Know, Christine, Tell The World, Dreams Of Contentment, Zing Zing Zing, She's Just An Angel, Oh What A Night, Jo Jo, Now I Pray, I Wanna Go Home, Why Do You Have To Go, A Distant Love, Pain In My Heart, Time Makes You Change, Jeepers Creepers, I'm Calling, Wedding Day, My Best Girl, Dry Your Eyes, Baby Open Up Your Heart, Someone To Call Me Darling, RestlessDays/ Sleepless Nights, Cherry Bee, I Can't Help Myself, You're Still In My Heart, My Dreams, Time Makes You Change, Oh What A Night

The Holland-America Line (HAL) was originally a shipping company that maintained an ocean route between the Netherlands and the United States. Before the days of air travel, the Rotterdam-New York journey played an important role for emigrants from Europe to America. During the 1930s, thousands of Europeans departed on one of the HAL ships, traveling from the Wilhelmina dock in Rotterdam to the United States, in search of a better life or a safe refuge. Many left their native countries forever in order to escape the growing threat of the nazi regime. This was also the case for Erich Collin, Roman Cycowski, and Harry Frommermann, all of whom sang in the famous Comedian Harmonists, and all three of whom were Jewish. They fled from Germany after the Nazis had disbanded their ensemble; ultimately they emigrated to the USA. America was not just the land of the free; it was a world power in the music business. European musicians had already been drawing inspiration from American examples for many years; the Comedian Harmonists, first set up in Berlin by Harry Frommermann in emulation of the American Revelers, were no exception.

Songlist: It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), The flatter the plate, Bel me even op (7.7.7.7.7.), Java jive, Into each life some rain must fall, Liefde in rhythme, Daniel prayed, Bel ami, Jeepers creepers, Mijn broer maakt voor het hoorspel de geluiden, I'm making believe, Matrozenlied, Morgen vaar ik weg, Dry bones, Lou de ladenlichter, Veel mooier, Brother Noah, New York, New York, Does your heart beat for me

This is two very big slices of classic Barbershop, a 2-CD set of Grandma's Boys from 1968 to 1986, including songs from their 1979 Gold Medal Year as SPEBSQSA International Quartet Champions. There are 23 songs on Disc 1, which are the remastered lps "Tonight" and "I Had A Dream Dear," and 15 on Disc II, which is the remastered lp, "Grandma's Boys III. There's a large liner notes booklet with photos of the group in costume and with their trophies, interviews and a history of the group. Favorites? "Tonight" from West Side Story, "Before The Parade Passes By," "Firefly," "Fascinatin' Rhythm," "Jazz Baby," "The Way We Were," "You've Gotta Be A Football Hero," "William Tell Overture," "If They String Me Up, I'll Never Live It Down," "A Song For Mary" and the title tune, but we could easily pick a dozen others. These young guys sing prize-winning harmonies with joy and spirit, and they went from an unknown group in college to the pinnacle of Barbershop fame. They're obviously having big fun singing to us, and what we especially love about Barbershop is the fact that it's fun music!

Songlist: Grandma's Boy, When Lindy Comes Home, Moonlight Brings Memories, I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles, Tonight, Shillelagh Stick, Before the Parade Passes By, A Song for Mary, Firefly, When I Fall in Love, Rosie (You Made Me Love You), Grandma's Boy (Reprise), When the Toy Soldiers March On Parade, When the Maple Leaves Were Falling, Facinatin' Rhythm, Jazz Baby, The Way We Were, Jeepers Creepers, I Heard You Singing, Alabama Jazzbo Band, I'm Singing Your Love Songs to Somebody Else, Gospel Medley, I Had A Dream, Dear..., DISC 2:, You've Gotta Be A Football Hero, Collegiate Love, Dayton Ohio, Freddie Feel-Good (And His Funky LIttle Four-Piece Band), Halls of Ivy, William Tell Overture, and more

Hi-Lo's : Clap Yo' Hands   

Comprising two of their records from the 1950's-1954's "I Presume" and 1958's "In Stereo"-"Clap Yo' Hands" captures the close harmony sound of the Hi-Lo's, who defined the vocal jazz of their era. The playground for the talents of the brilliant arranger Gene Puerling, who went on to form the Singers Unlimited, the Hi-Lo's toured with theJudy Garland show and sang with legends such as Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney. These tracks are orchestrated (by Frank Comstock, who backed the group on many early recordings) and include wonderful standards such as "Summertime," "Long Ago and Far Away," "Surrey With The Fringe On Top" and "Nice Work If You Can Get It." This is a jubilant recording that is alive with the joy of music. We have it on good authority that "Clap Yo' Hands" includes some of the group's favorite songs.

Songlist: Clap Yo' Hands, Long Ave and Far Away, You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby, Shadow Waltz, Chinatown, My Chinatown, Too Young for the Blues, Summertime, You Took Advantage of Me, Birth of the Blues, Surrey With the Fringe on Top, Put Your Dreams Away, Button Up Your Overcoat, Speak Low, Jeepers Creepers, I Thought About You, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Stars Fell on Alabama, Rockin' Chair

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

JaLaLa : Old Mercer Magic!   

Janis Siegel, Laurel Masse and Lauren Kinhan share more than their intense passion for passionate sounds that resonate with the listeners of their respective groups, The Manhattan Transfer and The New York Voices. The three pop vocalists share admiration for the late Johnny Mercer, one of the true American songwriters and poets. Thus, their collaborative effort, "That Old Mercer Magic," a fascinating and highly rewarding recording that showcase both the collective talents of these top notch singers and one of the great songwriters of the age. You will listen to this recording for ever!

Songlist: Spring, Spring, Spring, You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby, Jeepers Creepers, My Shining Hour, Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive, Dream, I'm Old Fashioned, Riding On The Moon, Moon River/Moon Country, Have You Got Any Castles Baby?, Too Marvelous For Words, The Dance Of Life

My Three Sons : New Gang On The Corner   

This unique quartet has been making history for many years now. As members of the well-known Ditchfield Family Singers this father - Stephen Ditchfield - and his sons also perform as a barbershop quartet. Even when the boys were very young they started winning singing competitions and this recording marks their comeback as grown men who still retain their love of close harmony singing. Lots a great music here including some barbershop classics along with a variety of popular music from the '30's, '40's, and '50's.

Songlist: There's a Brand New Gang on the Corner, Orange Colored Sky, Wait Till the Sun Shines Nellie, Little Green Apples, Jeepers Creepers, The Story of the Rose, The River of no Return, I May Be Wrong, Irish Blessing, Singing with my Dad, Where Is Love?, You Rise me up, If Ever I Would Leave You

If you're not comfortable laughing out loud, maybe you should pass this one by. I guess you could always shut your ears during the gags and just listen to these 1985 International Champions sing. You see, they're entertainers. The award winning singing is the basis of the act but the goal of these four is to bring joy and laughter into the world. Along the way to this goal they become the Marx Brothers and their gags are just as goofy as the originals. Spoofing the members of Star Trek will bring delight to Trekkies and Anti-Trakkies alike. It is a double CD release. The first disc is a reissue of their two albums. The second is a series of surprises from live performances. Though it sounds as though it was recorded from the audience, a piece simply called "Trombones" features all the members on vocal trombone and is wonderful in spite of the fidelity. As we love both laughter and song, this gets our enthusiastic recomendation!

Songlist: Gentlemen, Hello!, The Marx Brothers Opener, Carnival Barker(intro), Lydia (The Tattooed Lady), Jeepers Creepers, Tuxedo Junction, I Want You To Be My Sweetheart, I Used To Call Her Baby, Air Medley, Anti-Marriage Medley, Having To Say Goodbye (intro), So Long Mother, World War One Medley, Once In A While, Smile, Parade Medley, I'm So Alone With A Crowd, Trickle Trickle, It Was Almost Like A Song, Hallelujah, Barbershop!, Showbiz Medley, That Charlie Chaplin Walk, If I Had The Heart Of A Clown, When I'm Sixty-Four, Clown Medley

Masterworks Series Association of International Champions brings us one of their popular, generous, "best-of" compilations of the work of a Barbershop Harmony Society Gold Medal winner, in this case, 29 songs by 1985 champs The New Tradition. They won the Gold in Marx Brothers costumes, and begin this collection with "Marx Brothers Opener" and "Lydia, the Tattooed Lady," continuing with favorites "Tuxedo Junction," "I Used To Call Her Baby," "Air Medley," "Anti-Marriage Medley," "World War I Medley," "Showbiz Medley," "That Charlie Chaplin Walk," "Star Trek Opener," "Enterprise Medley" and "Barbershoppers Parody." This is all very funny stuff, sung with the ringing harmonies and soaring leads we would expect from Barbershop Harmony Society champions. In short, this album is great entertainment from the first cut to the last, from The New Tradition, one of the most innovative and funniest Barbershop International Champions!

Songlist: Gentlemen, Hello! (intro), Marx Brothers Opener, Carnival Barker (intro), Lydia, The Tattooed Lady, Jeepers Creepers, Tuxedo Junction, I Want You To Be My Sweetheart, I Used To Call Her Baby, Air Medley, Anti-Marriage Medley, Having To Say Goodbye (intro), So Long Mother, World War I Medley, Once in a While, Smile, Parade Medley, I'm So Alone With A Crowd, Trickle Trickle, It Was Almost Like A Song, Hallelujah Barbershop!, Showbiz Medley, That Charlie Chaplin Walk, Heart of a Clown, When I'm Sixty-Four, Be a Clown/ Send in the Clowns, Star Trek Opener, Enterprise Medley, Star Trek (dialogue), Barbershoppers Parody, Star Trek Opener

Fred King and Jim Grant met first in 1951, in high school, where they discovered a mutual love of harmony and began singing together. They joined SPEBSQSA a couple of years later and after seven years and a couple of personnel changes, met their permanent coach, Bob Loose. After working with him for only three months they won the Mid-Atlantic District Championship. They placed eighth in their first International Championship in 1959 but didn't reach the finals again until 1965. In 1969 they finally medalled and reached the pinnacle, that of International Champions in 1970, after twelve years of work. This retrospective recording has all the pops and scratches of the vinyl recordings eliminated. Allow yourself the pleasure of hearing one of the historic groups who reached the summit.

Songlist: Twelfth Street Rag, Mother of Mine I Still Have You, I Wish I Had My Old Gal Back Again, Could I? I Certainly Could, Why Do They Always Say No When There's Yes, Yes, in Your Eyes, Danny Boy, Hi Neighbor, Memories of You, Old Folks, If You Knew Susie, Sweet Sue Medley, Anywhere I Wander, Margie, You're the Only Girl for Me, A Horse with Love in It, Jeepers Creepers, Lida Rose, Somewhere, I'll See You Again

From the first strains of the opening track, "Sisters," it's clear that Betcha Bottom Dollar is not a typical debut album. But then the Puppini Sisters are not a typical pop act, at least not in the 21st century. Their close, three-part harmonies are reminiscent of the vocal groups of the 1930s and 1940s, and particularly the Andrews Sisters. But rather than sounding like an anachronism, the Puppini Sisters merely demonstrate the timelessness of some of these songs. Betcha Bottom Dollar is fresh, fun and vibrant, blowing the dust off of cobwebby classics like "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Mr. Sandman". Elsewhere, they also put their own unique stamp on more recent hits, with varying results. While Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights" and Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" fail to get things swinging, Blondie's "Heart of Glass" and the Smiths' "Panic" are both injected with a fresh new (old?) sound. Much credit must also be given to producer Benoit Charest, who manages to employ a whole host of instrumentation and orchestration, whilst never forgetting to put the voices of the Puppini Sisters front and centre. It might be easy to dismiss the Puppini Sisters' debut as another novelty album, but their intentions and love for the style--like their voices themselves--are crystal clear.

Songlist: Sisters, Mr.Sandman, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Java Jive, Bei Mir Bist Du Sehon, Wuthering Heights, Jeepers Creepers, I Will Survive, Tu Quo Fa L'americano, Heart Of Glass, Sway, Danie, Heebie Jeebies, In Mood

Various Artists : Harmony Sweepstakes 1993   

Songlist: Stay With Me Tonight, Summertime, Sign Your Name, Marooned in a Blizzard of Lies, That Lonesome Road, St. Elsewhere Theme, Kiss, Johnny, Shamalama Ding Dong, Jeepers Creepers, Wonderwoman, Whiter Shade of Pale, Big and Stupid, Stand By Me/On Broadway Medley

Various Artists : Barbershop's Best    

Hot off the presses from our own record label comes a great collection of some of the finest barbershop quartets aptly named "Barbershop's Best".This is the first recording to feature a wide selection of both champion male and female quartets and includes some of the finest groups to ever perform in the barbershop style. These studio tracks were in great part selected by the groups themselves and represents, in their opinion, some of their finest work. Featured are cuts from Platinum, Acoustix, Ambiance, Boston Common, Bluegrass Student Union, Panache, Fred and Rumors and more. 16 great tracks.

Songlist: This Is The Moment, Caroline, A Foggy Day (In London Town), Long Ago and Far Away, Sentimental Gentleman from Georgia, Royal Garden Blues, When October Goes, Jungle Book, Five-Oh-Two, Where Are You, Jeepers Creepers, What'll I Do, I Got A Gal In Kalamazoo, Feels Like Home, Eine Kleine NOT Music, I Will Never Pass This Way Again, Excerpts from "Rhapsody in Blue"