Several variants of the famous English folk ballad "Barb'ry Ellen" are incorporated into this evocative setting for women's voices. First performed by the Varsity Women's Choir of Appleton North High School, James Heiks, conductor. "Ya Faraoule" is a combination of Christian Lebanese songs of romantic longing with Muslim Egyptian songs of romantic joy. There are plenty of sensuous, serpentine Middle Eastern lines for singers. The gentle and expressive arrangement of "Danny Boy" works equally well highlighting a solo or small ensemble. A music that celebrates the Australian continent and its peoples. "Kungala" is a typically energetic and inventive piece, using gesture and stage movement as well as vocalisation to create an atmosphere of energy and joy. "Queen Jane" - A slow melody of breathtaking beauty of an old ballad on Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII. Lots of opportunity for storytelling - the sopranos are Jane, 2nd sopranos the Narrator and the altos are Henry. Moving and sad.

Songlist: Queen Jane, Ya Faraoule, Danny Boy, Kungala, Three Chinese Songs

The Amabile (Ah MAH bee lay) Singers, based in London, Ontario, Canada is an auditioned choir of 50 young women, ages 12 to 23 years. It exists to give its members musical experiences of the highest caliber and to develop musical talents. Its repertoire ranges from Medieval to Broadway. Amabile rose quickly to national and international prominence with competition wins at the CBC Biennial Choral Competition, International Choral Competition, and many others. They have toured Europe several times and performed at Carnegie Hall. The music of Canadian composer Stephen Hatfield is surprising and wonderful, and it has never sounded better. 17 songs, the energetic spiritual "Run Children Run," the dramatic "Vus Vet Zayn," the lovely "Camino Caminante," the powerful 3-part a cappella gem, "Three Ways to Vacuum Your House," the sweet, plaintive "Queen Jane," the haunting "When It Was Dark," the plaintive "Once I Had a Sweetheart," the finger-snapping "Sweet Tooth," "Crimson, Ivory and Aquamarine" and "La Lluvia" (with percussion by Hatfield and others), the short, harmonic "Old Fox Wassail," the complex, dramatic, accompanied "Ya Faraoule" and the rhythmic, primitive "TJAK!" are favorites. This is edgy, interesting, entertaining stuff that definitely pushes the Choral envelope.

Songlist: Run Children, Run, Vus Vet Zayn, Ower the Hills, Camino Caminante, Three Ways to Vacuum Your House, Queen Jane, When It Was Yet Dark, Once I Had a Sweetheart, Odi Odi, Sweet Tooth, Crimson, Ivory and Aquamarine, La Lluvia, Old Fox Wassail, Ya Faraoule, TJAK!

Our first introduction to Moira's amazing voice and her all-woman band Voco was their surprising and dramatic win at the recent '07 Harmony Sweeps Finals in San Rafael, CA, which was the first time in many years that an all-female group took top honors. They also won for Best Original Song, with "Stand in that River," and got a huge ovation for the original "I Live in California" (unfortunately not included in this collection). "Rua" is a lightly accompanied, wonderful collection of traditional folk songs, including "Stand," which was "written to join the tradition." Some favorites are the touching Vermont folk song "House that Jack Built," the Irish song and reel "Hawk & Crow/Monaghan Twig," the deeply-felt song against the idea of Eye for an Eye, "A Man was Born," (we believe to be a group original, but the liner notes are sparse), "Charlie Piggot's/Sporting Pitchfork," a hornpipe and jig accompanied by the "flying feet of Moira's friend, Maire Clerkin." The much-loved Irish carol "Queen Jane," another original, "Grey Shore," a "love-across-the-waters song inspired by all the extraordinary old ones," northern song "Maid of Culmore," "Darkest Midnight," a Wexford carol with new text, and "Parting Glass" a lovely old parting song given some new "Inuit and North African-inspired sounds." An amazing collection by Moira and her group, rising stars who we were privileged to hear at their stunning Finals win!

Songlist: House That Jack Built, HAwk And Crow Monaghan Twig, Donal Og, Stand In That River, A Man Was Born, Charlie Piggot's Sporting Pitchfork, Wexford Carol, Katie Cruel, Queen Jane, Grey Shore, Maid Of Culmore, Darkest Midnight, Parting Glass

Fifteen-strong San Francisco-based women's vocal ensemble Musae takes its name from the classic nine muses of Greek mythology, the original "ladies of song." Since its founding in 2004 Musae has performed its diverse and accessible repertoire at venues throughout the Bay Area, and has gained a reputation for stretching the boundaries of traditional repertoire for women's voices. Performing largely without a conductor, Musae is a musical collective where each singer may sing a range of vocal parts. "From Argentina to Appalachia" is Musae's impressive debut album, which features music from North America, Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. There are 11 songs here, "Selections from Como Tu," the bright, rhythmic, drum-accompanied "Mahk Jhi," "Selections from Como Tu," the soaring "Bright Morning Stars," the poignant traditional gem "Queen Jane," the lively "Las Amarillas," the heartbreaking love song "Te Quiero," the spiritual "There is a Balm in Gilead," the powerful "Salmo 150," the lovely "Duerme Negrito," the gorgeous, piano accompanied "Homeward Bound," the joyous "Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal" and finishing with the short but sweet "Coda." "Argentina to Appalachia" is simply amazing and beautiful from beginning to end!

Songlist: Selections From Como Tu, Makh Jhi, Bright Morning Stars, Queen Jane, Las Amarillas, Te Quiero, There is a Balm in Gilead, Salmo 150, Duerme Negrito, Homeward Bound, Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal

Founded in 1978, the San Francisco Girls Chorus, for girls 11-16, conducted by Sharon J. Paul, has established an international reputation through appearances at concerts,festivals and competitions, and radio programs such as NPR. Technically, this CD is by Chorissima, the 41-strong acclaimed concert and touring ensemble of the SFGC. This is a powerful, impressive, internationally-flavored CD of 17 songs most lightly accompanied, from David Brunner's "Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia," and Pablo Casals' "Nigra Sum," to the Mexican folk song "Las Amarillas." The beautiful, extensive liner notes have all the words. Marvelous!

Songlist: Yo Le Canto Todo El Dia, Nigra Sum, Como Tu, Schlof Main Kind, Heaven Bound Train, Deep River, J'entend Le Moulin, My Lagan Love, Bellbird, Rainbird, Niska Banja, Taivas On Sininen, Picking The Seedpods Of Lotus, The Cataract Of Mount Lu, Queen Jane, Sachaki, Sachaki, Las Amarillas