Designed to be introductory primers for high school or other beginning groups, the Contemporary A Cappella Association Songbooks nonetheless adhere to a fine musical standard (unlike some beginning arrangements, which can be watered down and unsatisfying). There are informative performance notes and recommendations for transposing parts, to permit performance by all male or female ensembles. In addition, a discography suggests definitive recordings of these popular songs, which can help facilitate the learning process and educate the ear. Easy to use, the CASA songbooks are an excellent resource.

Songlist: Good Old Acapella, Under the Boardwalk, In the Still of the Nite (I'll Remember), Only You (And You Alone), Zombie Jamboree (Back to Back), Silhouettes, The Longest Time, Up On The Roof, Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye, Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight

In "Heartache Tonight" rock & roll, country, and streetcorner sensibilities combine in this fun, up tempo of the Eagles classic. Complete with handclaps and footstomps, this arrangement features a high tenor solo and lots of moving harmony, making it a perfect closing song or encore. "Only You (and You Alone)" is a streetcorner ballad made famous by The Platters is the perfect showcase for a male quartet that's looking for a fun doo-wop piece. The solo is in the first tenor, and crosses into falsetto frequently, allowing for a powerhouse vocal showcase, and the other three parts have fun with the lyrics. Street corner meets close harmony in this rendering of Paul Simon's ode to days-gone-by " Still Crazy After All These Years". Perfect for graduations and retrospective events. The tenor solo can be shared or split between several singers. Light vocal percussion is optional. First a hit for Maurice Chevalier, then Louis Prima, then David Lee Roth, the catchy, flirtatious songs, 'Just A Gigalo/I Ain't Got Nobody' have topped the charts for three generations. Tuneful, playful background parts support a tenor or Baritone solo (which can be shared): send your soloist into the audience and you'll have a huge crowd pleaser.

Songlist: Only You (And You Alone), Still Crazy After All These Years, Just A Gigalo/I Ain't Got Nobody

Over 30 great songs by America's finest songwriters as sung by the incomparable Johnny Mathis, including: Chances Are - It's Not for Me to Say - A Marshmallow World - Misty - Mood Indigo - The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - The Twelfth of Never - Wonderful! Wonderful! - and more.

Songlist: Goodnight My Love, Pleasant Dreams, I Just Found Out About Love, Come To Me, Those Were The Days, Chances Are, Gina, What Will Mary Say?, More Than You Know, Where Are You, I'll Be Easy To Find, Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words), The Impossible Dream (The Quest), It's All In The Game, It's Not For Me To Say, Where Do I Begin (Love Theme), A Marshmallow World, Misty, Mood Indigo, The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, Only You (And You Alone), Stranger In Paradise, Taking A Chance On Love, That Sunday That Summer (If I Had To Choose), Too Close For Comfort, Too Much, Too Little, Too Late, The Twelfth Of Never, When I Am With You, Wild Is The Wind, A Wonderful Day Like Today, Wonderful! Wonderful!, and more

A wonderful collection of 20 songs from this classic R&B group. Includes photos and biographical information.

Songlist: Enchanted, The Great Pretender, He's Mine, Helpless, I Wish, It's Raining Outside, It's Raining Outside, My Dream, My Prayer, On My Word Of Honor, One In A Million, Only Because, Only You (And You Alone), Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Twilight Time, Where, With This Ring, You'll Never, Never Know, You're Making A Mistake

If butter melts in your mouth, the Alley Cats arrangement of 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes' will melt in your mind! It is beautiful, smooth, and just melts away the bands of every day tensions from around the heart. Then you'll just have to swoon to one of the sweetest versions of 'Only You' which you will ever hear. Thank goodness they launch into a upbeat 'Blue Moon' or you would end up in a emotional puddle on the floor! If you ever were touched by the romantic songs of the fifties and sixties (and a sound alike or two from the seventies), this recording is for you. Frankly, we've never heard a better recording of era's music. The voices are beautiful, the slides into falsetto breaks is seamless, and the arrangements keep true to the originals while filling out the instrumental parts with vocals. The Alley Cats have presented all of the greatest songs of an era, 'Silhouettes,' 'Twilight Time,' 'Earth Angel,' 'Stand By Me,' and more, sixteen cuts in all. The tempos and arrangements vary so you never become complacent and let a tune slide by out of predictability, but rather have to pay attention to each sweet riff. We gush, we enthuse, and we have only this to add, 'yip yip yip yip, mum mum mum mum, get a job!' With your first paycheck be sure to get the Alley Cats, 'Strike 32.'

Songlist: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Only You (And You Alone), Blue Moon, So In Love, Rockin' Robin, Silhouettes, Twilight Time, Stand By Me, Get A Job, Earth Angel, I Really Love You, Remember, Little Bitty Pretty One, At the Hop / Jump Jive 'n Wail, I Wonder Why, You Belong To Me

Alti & Bassi : Medley    

Alti & Bassi are five debonair-looking, fun-and-Western-music-loving Italian men whose "Medley" is exactly that, a 32-song medley. Or more correctly, a medley comprised of seven medleys, beginning with 8 heavily-accented Disney chestnuts ("Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf," "Heigh Ho," Bibbidi Bobbity Bu" and others); a masterful 4-song Platters medley ("My Prayer," "Sixteen Tons," "Only You" and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"); a jazzy "West Side Story" medley ("Maria," "Tonight" and an apropos "America"); an "I Love America" Broadway medley ("Singin' In The Rain," "Cheek To Cheek," "Night and Day" and "New York, New York"); a seven song Beatles medley "A&B Road" ("Abbey Road," get it? It includes "Sgt. Pepper's," "If I Fell," "Norwegian Wood," "Help," "All You Need Is Love" and other favorites); a "Canto Libero" medley of Italian favorites ("Fiori Rosa Fiori Di Pesco," "Il Mio Canto Libero" and "Con Il Nastro Rosa") and finally the "A&B G's" medley (The Bee Gees of course, "(Saturday) Night Fever," "How Deep Is Your Love" and "Stayin' Alive"). These guys have loved and listened to a lot of records, cassette tapes and CDs to sound as much like these groups as they do. We love all this music, too, and Andrea, Alberto, Paolo, Diego and Filippo have the a cappella chops to do it justice. Listen to the yummy bass lead on "Sixteen Tons" (which we seem to remember as a Tennessee Ernie Ford hit, rather than the Platters, but no matter), and to the falsetto lead on "Saturday Night Fever"-these guys may come across as somewhat silly at times (we prefer "fun-loving") but they can really sing, and they give us a sweet taste of 32 wonderful songs here. Which we think you will enjoy, as we did!

Songlist: Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf, Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes, Heigh Ho, A Spoonful of Sugar, The Bare Necessities, One Song, Bibbidi Bobbidi Bu, Everybody Wants To Be a Cat, My Prayer, Sixteen Tons, Only You (And You Alone), Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, Maria, Tonight, America, Singin' In The Rain, Cheek to Cheek, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Long and Winding Road, If I Fell, Norwegian Wood, All You Need is Love, Help, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Fiori Rosa Fiori Di Pesco, Il Mio Canto Libero, Night Fever, How Deep is Your Love, Stayin' Alive

Boyz Nite Out : American Vinyl   

Sacramento, CA-based all-male sextet BNO first got together in a 4-bedroom house 8 years ago, and discovered the kind of chemistry that you find in the bigtime, big city groups. "Vinyl" is their third CD, after the excellent "Rho Sham Bo" and "Director's Cut." 17 songs, from the Spencer Davis Group's "Gimme Some Lovin'," "Fire" and "Come Go with Me" to remarkable vocal percussion on Lennon/McCartney's "Come Together" and on the Drifters' "Under The Boardwalk," this is great stuff. "Brown-Eyed Girl," "Footloose," "The Still Of The Night," the Righteous Bros' "My Girl," the Motown hit "Grapevine," the Doors' "People Are Strange"--the hits just keep on coming. What we love about BNO, besides their song selection, is a) their energy, spirit and love of the music, b) their great arrangements and vocal percussion, c) they're spot on key, and d) they nail every song, as you absolutely know they do in a live performance. Great stuff!

Songlist: Soundtrack (Takin' You Back), Gimme Some Lovin', Fire, Come and Go With Me, Come Together, Under the Boardwalk, Brown Eyed Girl, Only You (And You Alone), Footloose, Change The World, Still of the Night, Hooch, My Girl, With Or Without You, Grapevine, The People Are Strange, The Lion Sleeps Tonight

All male a cappella quintet Cat's Pajamas of Branson, MO first got together in 2005 to sing live in an Oreo cookie jingle contest, placed in the top 10 and never looked back. They've been touring extensively and recording, sharpening their vocal chops and live show, which we get a nice taste of on "One Stop Doo-Wop"-ten of the 12 cuts were recorded live in the Majestic Theater in Madison, WI, and "I Feel Good" was recorded in group member Nate Mendl's dining room! Favorites are "OREO/Rockin' Robin," when we get to hear the famous Oreo song that brought the group together, "Duke of Earl," CCR's "Proud Mary," the bubblegum hit "Hooked on a Feelin'," the Drifters' "Under the Boardwalk," "Up On The Roof," The Righteous Bros.' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and "Only You." The live audience went nuts over this one, and if you love Doo-Wop, we bet you will too!

Songlist: Duke of Earl, Under the Boardwalk, OREO / Rockin' Robin, Stand By Me, Hooked on a Feelin, Love Potion No 9, You've Lost That Loving Feeling, Pretty Women, Up On The Roof, I Feel Good, Only You (And You Alone)

The Delmonicos were originally formed in Manhattan in 1959. In their early years they performed in clubs such as the Copacabana, Peppermint Lounge and Camelot. In 1963 they recorded a couple of 45's and enjoyed considerable local success singing in the style of the classic 1950's NYC groups. They reunited in 1986 to perform for the United In Group Harmony Association's 10th year celebration and have continued to perform since that reunion. The current lineup features three of the original members and, recently, a band to enhance their performance package. You will hear the unmistakable bass of Gary Knight and the original Mr. Delmonico himself, Joe Cariati, with his stunning leads and soaring falsettos. Take a journey back into the world of the Dubs, The Platters, The Spaniels, Flamingos and more!

Songlist: This to Me Is Love, Only You (And You Alone), Stardust, A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening, Soltaire, Last Night I Dreamed, The Vow, The Things I Love, Heaven on Earth, The Masquerade Is Over, There Is No Greater Love, Could This Be Magic, Beside My Love, Why Do You Have to Go, At Night, Sincerely, Is There a Love For Me, Embraceable You

Former choristers from Bach's own church make up this German version of The King's Singers. This contemporary a cappella program ranges from Billy Joel to Supertramp to a Cuban love song, and a superb cover of Sinead O'Connor's "In This Heart". These are great male choral interpretations of popular songs that are sure to delight.

Songlist: The Longest Time, New York, New York, Breakfast In America, Blackbird, Juramento, In This Heart, Somebody To Love, Only You (And You Alone), Hit The Road Jack, Rain In May, Since You Went Away, Can't Buy Me Love, Strangers In The Night, Good Vibrations, That Lonesome Road, And So It Goes

This the Essentials second album and we have considerable change to enjoy. The harmonies are as tight as ever but the doo-wop tunes take the back seat in favor of light rock. In the footsteps of the Nylons they have chosen to add a percussion track to most of the tunes. "My Girl," "Lean On Me," "If I Fell" and "Only You" are the offerings for purists. Please don't let me give the impression that the doo wop is totally gone from the repertoire, for several songs still have that element but the selection is faithful to the historical changes of the 60's popular music.

Songlist: Twistin' The Night Away, California Dreamin, I'll Begin, My Girl, Lean On Me, Under the Boardwalk, Wonderful Time Tonight, If I Fell, My Juanita, Only You (And You Alone), This Night, If I've Taken Too Long

Flying Pickets : Lost Boys   

Another CD we were lucky enough to score on import, "Lost Boys" is the second recording by England's Flying Pickets (their first, "Live At The Albany Empire," isn't available any more). One of our favorite European contemporary a cappella groups (though predating the advent of vocal percussion), they emerged from the 'eighties new wave craze with their number one U.K. hit, "Only You," (included on this recording). The Pickets have an honest and soulful sound; their material is always strong - "The Tears Of A Clown," "Who's That Girl" and Dylan's "Masters Of War" are representative - and their arrangements convey the power of the song itself, without any extraneous frippery. Given this discernment, when the sextet does unite and deliver a surging stacked chord, as they do frequently on "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," they really command attention.

Songlist: Remember This, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Disco Down', So Close, The Tears of a Clown, When You're Young and in Love, Who's That Girl, You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling', Psycho Killer, Wide Boy, Factory, Monica Engineer, Only You (And You Alone), Masters of War

Flying Pickets : Best of...   

This is the second release of the early Flying Pickets. They took their name from the that given protesters who traveled to communities other than their own to man the picket lines during labor protests. On this album are 16 tracks. Though many are studio versions with the great harmonies, swooping choruses and novel rhythmic elements (remember this was BVP-- before vocal percussion) our favorite tracks are the live tracks, David Bowie's "Space Oddity," "Higher and Higher" and the like. The intro to "Summertime" is a Cheech & Chong like parody and positively delights the audience.

Songlist: Only You (And You Alone), I Heard It Though The Grapevine, The Tears Of A Clown, You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', Sealed With A Kiss, Only The Lonely, Space Oddity, Who's That Girl, When You're Young And In Love, Groovin', Coral Island/Summertime, Buffalo Soldier, I Got You Babe, Summer In The City, Get Off My Cloud, Higher And Higher

Flying Pickets : Only Yule   

Formed over 30 years ago and one of the very early contemporary a cappella The Flying Pickets are still going strong today and continue to tour extensively across Europe. The group members have changed over the years but the level of excellence has stayed consistent and it easy to tell listening to this fine recording why they have remained popular for all these years. Each one of these Christmas tunes is creatively arranged along with the strong voices makes for a delightful holiday treat. This recording deserves to be in your collection.

Songlist: 2000 Miles, Ding Ding Merrily On High, Shine, Little Drummer Boy, I Believe In Father Christmas, Christmas Present, Very Good King, In The Bleak Mid Winter, Christmas Lullaby, Alleujah, Silent Night, Frosty The Snowman, Only You (And You Alone)

Flying Pickets : Volume One   

First the original Flying Pickets are not the same quintet that are frequently thought of to be the Flying Pickets; in another example of the machinations that occur between band members, there are in fact two different groups entirely. This CD was released in Europe in 1994, and features a new version of "Only You," their 1983 #1 hit. In terms of sound, the differences between the two Pickets are well, not in name only, but are negligible; uncomplicated arrangements of rock hits ("Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Sign Your Name," "When Doves Cry" etc), performed in a candid style. The name of the group links directly to its working-class origins (a picketer is a striking union worker), and their music is similarly raw and unpretentious. One can imagine them singing at the local pub and having a beer with them later.

Songlist: Under The Bridge, When Doves Cry, Sign Your Name, Smells Like Teen Spirit, Wonderful World, Here, There And Everywhere, Tracks Of My Tears, She Drives Me Crazy, Only You (And You Alone), When You're Young And In Love, Dance The Night Away, Road to Nowhere, Take My Breath Away

Flying Pickets : Next Generation   

First formed in England in 1982 by members of a socialist fringe theatre group who used a cappella singing in a play about a miner's strike, the Pickets fell in love with the music. They started doing pop/rock a cappella in UK clubs, released a live CD on their own label, which sold so well they were signed by Virgin Records in 1983. The first single with Virgin, "Only You," a cover of a song by Yazoo, was number 1 in the UK and huge in Europe. Four more excellent Contemporary CDs followed. "Live" was recorded at the Fliegende Bauten in Hamburg in 2002, and it shows off the group's forte: dynamic live performances, reminiscent of the Nylons. 14 songs, "I Want It That Way," "Let Me Entertain You," Stephen Stills' "Love The One You're With," Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," a FP original, "Guilty," "When," Seal's "Kiss From a Rose," Sting's "Moon Over Bourbon Street," Stevie Wonder's "As," "Living La Vida Loca," "Eternal Flame," Kool & the Gang's "Celebration," "Mama Lou" and "Only You." We'd love to see this group live!

Songlist: I Want It That Way, Let Me Entertain You, Love the One You're With, Billie Jean, Guilty, When, Kiss From A Rose, Moon Over Bourbon Street, As, Living La Vida Loca, Eternal Flame, Celebration, Mama Lou, Only You (And You Alone)

InsideOut's full sound realizes a variety of musical styles and a broad repertoire ranging from golden oldies to hits of the 80s and 90s. The album also includes original songs by InsideOut's exceptional songwriter Kimball Brown. Kimball has done some amazing work on both his original compositions and new arrangements, you won't be disappointed. Songs on the album include "Forever Young," "Just Can't Get Enough," "You've Got a Friend," and "Only You," plus originals "Taken Up," "Like Water," "Innocence II," and "I'll Fly." In addition to the audio, the CD has an interactive portion for computers with sound clips, photos, and even an InsideOut video game.

Songlist: Innocence 2, Forever Young, Only You (And You Alone), Love Right Through, I'll Fly, Just Can't Get Enough, When I Fall In Love, You've Got A Friend, Taken Up, Renewal

Songlist: May The Lord Bless You Real Good, Proud Mary, Return To Sender, Up On The Roof, I Can't get Next To You, Mustang Sally, Go To The Mardi Gras, Ain't To Proud To Beg, Only You (And You Alone), You Haven't Done Nothing, I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent, Power In The Name Of Jesus, When The Saints Go (To The Superbowl?), He Did It For You And Me, Jesus When The Sun Goes Down, We Are Soldiers, Just A Closer Walk with Thee, Running For Jesus

The five young men who form Contemporary a cappella group measureXmeasure, slimmed down from the original nine who founded the group at the University of Kansas in 1995, have two successful CDs, "Measure by Measure" and "We're Back," under their belts, and "On Our Own" is an impressive third effort! We like to see the little note, "all music on this CD was created by the voices and appendages of the group," because it usually means there's some butt-kicking vocal percussion, and there's some of the best we've heard here. 11 songs, including some originals, "My Heart," "Live and Learn," "So In Love With You," "Everything" and "On Our Own," and some excellent covers: "Up the Ladder to the Roof," "You Don't Treat Me No Good," "Mustang Sally," "Only You," "Don't Let Your Heart," and finishing, incongruously, by nailing Maurice Durufle's sacred masterpiece, "Ubi Caritas." The group does their own arrangements and has the kind of juice and flair only found in the best Contemporary groups like Rockapella and m-pact. "On Our Own" is one of the best we've heard this year.

Songlist: Up the Ladder to the Roof, You Don't Treat Me No Good, My Heart, Mustang Sally, Only You (And You Alone), Live and Learn, So in Love With You, Everything, On Our Own, Don't Let Your Heart, Ubi Caritas

From the other "down under" here is an excellent recording from the Wellington, New Zealand based quartet Musical Island Boys who are a certifiable barbershop boy band phenomenon. Winners of the Gold medals at the 2014 Barbershop International competition they are one of only a couple non-US quartets to become champions. And it's easy to see why these lads have done so well when you hear their excellent renditions of these top-notch arrangements. All four singers are of Pacific Islander heritage including Samoan and Maori and perhaps it's the great tradition of singing in their cultures that give them the special touch they so clearly demonstrate. Recommended

Songlist: I Just Can't Wait to be King, Ain't Too Proud to Beg, Somewhere Out There, Just My Imagination, Sam Cooke Medley, Pokarekare Ana, Stone In Love With You, Talofa Teine, Only You (And You Alone), Hakuna Matatat

The Platters, 4-man, 1-woman followed of black vocal harmony groups like the Ink Spots and the Mills Brothers, ushering in a new age of contemporary pop and R&B. The group grew up in the thriving music scene of Los Angeles in the early 1950s, first signing with Federal records, and then joining fellow Federal artists the Penguins (who had a national hit with "Earth Angel"), signed by Chicago-based Mercury Records. Their first recording, "Only You," didn't get a lot of attention until a Seattle DJ played it, eventually turning it into a national hit. "The Great Pretender" was a #1 smash, "The Magic Touch" was a top five it, but their next recording, of British songwriter Jimmy Kennedy's "My Prayer" became the group's biggest hit. Rock 'n' Roll-styled "Out of My Mind" and one other song were scheduled for the Platters to perform on Dick Clark's Saturday night TV show, who heard "Twilight Time" over the phone and said, "That's the hit!" It was the first record of the rock 'n' roll era to feature strings. "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," "Harbor Lights," "With This Ring"-18 all-accompanied winners by one of the most exciting and popular vocal groups of all time! Beautiful liner notes with history and pictures of the group.

Songlist: Only You (And You Alone), The Great Pretender, (You've Got) The Magic Touch, My Prayer, Heaven On Earth, You'll Never Never Know, It Isn't Right, On My Word Of Honor, One In A Million, I'm Sorry, He's Mine, My Dream, Twilight Time, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Enchanted, Harbor Lights, I Love You 1000 Times With This Ring

The Platters' rise into R&B/Rock 'n' Roll stardom began in Los Angeles, and two of its members had a lot to do with their meteoric rise, angel-voiced Tony Williams and manager Buck Ram. Tony's emotion-drenched voice made prayers and the longings of lovers so believable, and the precision and clarity of his delivery was pure pop gold. Ram agreed to let Mercury Records sign his hit group the Penguins if they'd also sign the Platters. Although the label first marketed the group on its purple "race" label, Ram convinced them to release it on their black "pop" label. The kids, just having discovered Elvis and Bill Haley, who heard the big hits "Only You" and "The Great Pretender" wanted to see who was singing them, and were surprised to see the suave, smooth black quintet. Thus the first number one pop record for a black group made its way up the charts. 11 classic winners, all accompanied, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," "The Magic Touch," "Harbor Lights," "You'll Never, Never Know," "Red Sails in the Sunset" and "Enchanted"-this is all incredible stuff from the legendary Platters!

Songlist: The Great Pretender, Twilight Time, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Only You (And You Alone), You'll Never Never Know, My Prayer, (You've Got) The Magic Touch, I'll Never Smile Again, Harbor Lights, Red Sails In The Sunset, Enchanted