Veteran European Contemporary a cappella quintet The Flying Pickets, known for their innovative arrangements, crisp vocal percussion and clean, flawless harmonies, has long been one of our favorite groups. "Everyday" is the Pickets' much-anticipated 6th winning CD. 12 finely-crafted songs, particularly fine are four originals, two by group member Dylan Foster, "Do It" and "Perfect Day," "Chapel on a cloud" by group member Michael Henry, and "That which can't be explained (ming's lullaby) by Peter Eldridge. Also marvelous are covers of Sheryl Crow's "Everyday Is A Winding Road," Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car," Sting's "Roxanne," James Warren's "Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime," Michael McDonald's "I Keep Forgettin'," Tom Johnson's "Long Runnin'," and Peter Gabriel's "Here Comes The Flood." "Everyday" is anything but, a groundbreaking masterwork that needs to be listened to many times to be fully appreciated, especially by other Contemporary a cappella groups. A confident sound like this is fashioned by years of taking chances, experimentation, a whole lot of performing and recording together, and of achieving artistic maturity individually and as a group. This is one of the best Contemporary CDs we've listened to in a long time!

Songlist: Everyday Is a Winding Road, Fast Car, Love Rears Its Ugly Head, Do It, Everbody's Got To Learn Sometime, Chapel On A Cloud, Roxanne, Perfect Day, I Keep Forgettin', Here Comes the Flood, Long Train Runnin', That Which Can't Be Explained

Various Artists : Harmony Sweepstakes 2006   

It's the first weekend in May, and the sold-out audience at Marin Veterans Auditorium in San Rafael, CA is buzzing with anticipation of seeing the Harmony Sweepstakes Finals, possibly the best live show in a cappella! 8 Regional-winning groups are backstage, having beat out as many as 8 other groups for the privilege of singing their hearts out for the National Championship. "Finals" has 16 of the best tunes from that memorable night, including Bay Area winner Clockwork's jazzy "My Baby Just Cares For Me," and wonderful cover of Radiohead's "Creep," part of an excellent set that won them 3rd place, and the award for "Best Original Arrangement." We hear Mid-Atlantic-winning Regency's "Only You" and high-energy "Jump, Jive and Wail," part of a great set that won them 2nd place. LA barbershop quartet Hi Fidelity, in "Addams Family" costume, bring us the "Addams Family" theme and a key-bending, hilarious "Blackbird," they won both Audience Favorite and the National Championship. New York Quartet 'Round Midnight's "Take the A-Train" and "Tin Roof Blues," Chicago's Elmo Thumm's "Last Train to Clarksville" and "Shooting Star," Denver's Curious Gage's "Long Train Runnin'" and "Windmills" show us how good Hi-Fidelity had to be to win. Boston's Traces sing "As" and "Wonderful World," which won Best Original Song," and the Pacific NW's Tongue Tied A Cappella give us a dynamic cover of the Starship's "We Built This City." Exciting cuts from a magic May evening in San Rafael!

Songlist: Addams Family, My Baby Just Cares For Me, Only You, Take the 'A' Train, Last Train to Clarksville, Blackbird, Jump, Jive & Wail, As, Creep, Tin Roof Blues, Shooting Star, We Built This City, Long Train Runnin', Sunglasses, Windmills, Wonderful World II

"They sing! They rock! They need a nap!" is the teaser for all male a cappella quartet Who's Your Daddy!, and might make you think they're a lightweight garage band; but you'd be mistaken. Freddy, Rick, Adam and Chris have some serious vocal chops, as well as long, extensive credits in the music business, as well as in film and television. This is the debut album for these four dads, and it's got 14 freshly-arranged Rock, Pop and Soul favorites, joyously and powerfully sung. From The Cars' "Let's Go," Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and "Livin' For The City," to the Sly and the Family Stone's "Hot Fun in the Summertime," Brian Wilson's poignant "In My Room," the Spencer Davis Group's 1967 hit "Gimme Some Lovin'," The Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" and The Young Rascals' "Groovin'," these are great songs sung by guys who know how to do them justice. Two other favorites are medleys, "Time of the Season" segued with Prince's "When the Doves Cry" and Queen's anthem "Bohemian Rhapsody" segued into Queen's "Somebody to Love." But every cut is a stone, fun winner. Treat yourself to "Who's Your Daddy!"

Songlist: Let's Go, Signed Sealed Delivered, Livin' For The City, Fire And Rain, Shining Star, Long Train Runnin', Hot Fun in the Summertime, In My Room, Time of the Season / When Doves Cry, Gimme Some Lovin', Free Falling, Sunshine of Your Love, Groovin', Bohemian Rhapsody / Somebody to Love