'The Barber of Seville Overture' has been a long-time favorite in King's Singers concerts. From the subdued opening theme in the "strings" to the rousing "full-orchestra" close, this instrumental work is creatively brought to life - King's Singers style. It's hard to keep a straight face while singing this hilarious novelty arrangement of 'William Tell Overture' for "serious" choirs. Sung entirely on syllables which imitate the sounds of Rossini's original orchestral percussion, brasses, and woodwinds, this one will be best when performed tongue in cheek. And from the initial fanfare to the final cadence, seasoned choirs will sound great on the full chords and percussive "Lone Ranger" themes. 'Tango to Evora' was masterfully arranged by Vancouver Chamber Choir conductor Jon Washburn. The sensual but innocent tango melody in the choir gives an expressive background to a 'floating' soprano solo.

Songlist: Tango To Evora, The Barber of Seville Overture, William Tell Overture

The Gas House Gang : Our Rough & Tumble Best   

Just before beginning their ascension to international acclaim the Gang released this recording of twelve songs which are of a great variety. You keep running into unexpected little embellishments on the pure barbershop songs such as the brief intimation of calliope or the bell-like chord inthe "Bowery Medley." Then there is the ringing traditional close harmony of "So Long, Mother," the sweet beauty of "When I Look In Your Eyes," the humorous "My Old Man" (of Smothers Brothers fame) and the fabulous enunciation on "The Chemical Elements." There's gospel, a popular sound on "Sixteen Tons" and the "William Tell Overture" is in the spirit of their later Mozart spoof. Great!

Songlist: Bowery Medley, Sixteen Tons, So Long, Mother, K.P., When I Look In Your Eyes, Pass The Apples Medley, Liar Medley, Old St. Louie, My Old Man, The Chemical Elements, Sweet Hour of Prayer, William Tell Overture

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

Pride of San Marcos, TX, the 68-strong all-male Heart of Texas Chorus treats us to a fine collection of 14 Cowboy tunes. Some of our favorites are Cole Porter's classic "Don't Fence Me In," Barbershop quartet Sterling singing Garth Brooks' inspiring "The River," hot arranger Jay Giallombardo adds much-needed lyrics to Rossini's "William Tell Overture," Irving Mills and Luchy Millinder's "Ride, Red, Ride," The Sons of the Pioneers' "Cool Water," "If They String Me Up I'll Never Live It Down/Back in the Saddle Again Medley," the traditional folk tune "Home on the Range" and "Texas Medley." The title tune, sung by the Chorus with Sterling, is accompanied by BuffaloGrass and "Texas (When I Die)," sung by Barbershop quartet Four Brothers, has a little violin, and "Cool Water" some guitar-the rest is richly-harmonied a cappella. A big, fun, testosterone-soaked album from the Heart of Texas!

Songlist: Great American Cowboy, Don't Fence Me In, The River, Bury Me Not on the Lone Praire, William Tell Overture, Texas (When I Die), Shenandoah, Ride, Red, Ride, I'm A Wild And Wooly Son of the West, Cool Water, If They String Me Up I'll Never Live It Down/ Back In The Saddle Again Medley, Wahoo, Home On The Range, Texas Medley

The talented three men and three women from Los Angeles who call themselves Sixth Wave first got together in 1999 with the worthy goal of singing in the National Harmony Sweepstakes. To their surprise and our delight, they won the 2001 Finals, and they accomplished their second goal of recording their first excellent CD that same year. Appearing with the luminaries of the a cappella world, The Bobs, Rockapella, Swingle Singers, m-pact and The Perfect Gentlemen, they went to work on "It Will Come to You," their second CD, containing collaborations with Gabriel Mann, Joe Bob Finetti and Michelle Weir, as well as their first three original tunes, Gerald White's "You'll Always Remember the Song," Cindy Bourquin and Gerald's title tune, and a jazz tune by their friend Kent Carlson, "She's Been Around The Block." We have to say right off that "It Will Come" is the best jazz CD we have heard in a long time. From a stellar arrangement of Sting's "Fragile," a sweet cover of the manic jazz chestnut "Twisted," and absolutely nailing Aerosmith's rock anthem "Dream On," to incredibly arranged covers of "Strange Magic," Santana's "Oye Como Va" and a "William Tell Overture" cover that would make not only the Swingles but Rossini himself look over his shoulder, this CD is unbelievably good. The jazz classic "Jeannine," with vocal percussion by Joe Bob, totally soars, and an "Earth, Wind and Fire Medley" that incongruously includes Lennon/McCartney's "Got To Get You Into My Life," with the EWF disco hits "September," "After The Love Is Gone" and "Sing A Song," has to be heard to be believed. We loved Sixth Wave at the finals, and we love this CD!!

Songlist: It Will Come To You, Fragile, Twisted, Dream On, Oye Como Va, Strange Music, William Tell Overture, She's Been Around The Block, You Are There, Jeannine, Eart, Wind and Fire Medley, You'll Always Remember The Song