CD-Charts Position 21
Average Rating:

Street Corner Symphony

CD-Charts > Music > A Cappella
by: The Persuasions

Release Date March 16, 1993
This is easily my favorite Album by the Persuasions. The song selection and delivery are excellent.The arrangements are melodic. I play this one over and over. Buffalo Soldiers reminds us (African Americans) of how brave our ancesters were in the face of horrible circumstances and situations coming out of the grip of slavery. If you enjoy Accapella singing check this out.

CD-Charts Position 22
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Zoltán Kodály: Háry János Suite / Dances of Galánta & Marosszék / Children's Choruses - Iván Fischer / Budapest Festival Orchestra

CD-Charts > Music > A Cappella
by: Zoltán Kodály, Ivan Fischer, Budapest Festival Orchestra

Release Date July 20, 1999
The classical music world has come to rely upon Ivan Fischer as a one-amn spokesman for Hungarian music as performed by the best of Hungarian musicians. His approach to the whole canon from Liszt to Bartok has brought a native flavor that international conductors can't match. That's certainly ture in this exceptional Kodaly disc, where even the two familiar works, an extended Hary Janos Suite and the Galanta Dances, sound brighter, wittier, and more vivacious than eer before.

Like Copland in this country, whose idiom was sophisticated and yet folk-based, Kodaly's music speaks directly to several flavors of Hungarian culture, and Fischer is able to capture them all. The unfamiliar works here make the program even more savory, with ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 23
Average Rating:

Selections 1976-1988

CD-Charts > Music > A Cappella
by: Sweet Honey in the Rock

Release Date August 05, 1997
True originals, with African, gospel, country blues, folk all mixed deep in their rich a cappella brew. Rough and sometimes raw interplay of voices has the resonance of a more desperate than joyful revival. Studio and live tracks.

Disk 1. Polyphonic voices coalesce into communal rhythms, passion, determination, and remarkable beauty. Didactic, but who cares-everything else in the mix quickly shoves that aside. Raw cries from somewhere down deep and primeval, close to the soul of the human condition. Standouts: tr 4--Children; S: tr 11-Crying for freedom (full-tilt, high-energy gospell); tr 15--In the upper room (stately doowop gospel) [65:24] [66:03]

Disk 2. Strong flavor of rural blues, chants, field songs, and ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 24
Average Rating:

Live at Carnegie Hall

CD-Charts > Music > A Cappella
by: Sweet Honey in the Rock

Release Date September 29, 1992
The first three tracks on this cd alone will make you happy you purchased it. Beatitudes starts with "blessed are.." and no matter how bad your case of the blues, you will raise your head by the end of the song. Run, Run, Mourner Run showcases not only the separate harmonies working together but a playful interaction with the live audience as well. Wade in the Water is a fluid, soulful rendition of this church song. All of the good reasons you might go to church are contained in these songs. The cd continues with adventurous harmony, political statements and rises to climactic endings as in Our Side Won. No one can beat their arrangements and voices working together - truly the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. And in this case the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 25
Average Rating:

Lovers Island

CD-Charts > Music > A Cappella
by: Kenny Vance

Release Date November 01, 2005
Lovers Island is a bit slow, however, an excellent listening product. Kenny's voice is immaculate as always.

CD-Charts Position 26
Average Rating:

Seamless

CD-Charts > Music > A Cappella
by: The Nylons

Release Date October 25, 1990
About 30 minutes of top quality rock-a-pella. Ten songs. Some good, some forgetable. Voices are fabulous - which is typical of the Nylons during this period. The arrangements are very creative but . . . this album doesn't leave me singing the tunes in my head. I walk away thinking, "Wow that was really well done" . . . . and then tend to forget about it. There are some good songs but overall this album seems out of focus.
I was spoiled by "Happy Together" which I think was their best album. If you are looking for more of the same on this album unfortunately what you get is a shadow of the incredible vocal work capable of this group.
Recommended for Nylons fans (like me) but if you have never bought a Nylons CD buy "Happy ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 27
Average Rating:

In This Land

CD-Charts > Music > A Cappella
by: Sweet Honey in the Rock

Release Date September 15, 1992
This stands among one of my favorite Sweet Honey recordings. "I Be Your Water" is one of thier songs that sticks in one's mind after hearing it. There is so much her to enjoy and to educate. I'd advise just about anyone to give it a listen.

CD-Charts Position 28
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Nicola Benedetti plays Vaughan Williams & Tavener

CD-Charts > Music > A Cappella
from: DG

Release Date March 25, 2008
This version of The Lark Ascending reminds me of the 1972 version by Iona Brown and Nevllle Mariner. It's a little longer and the violin flourishes have are slightly more held back making it seem a little more intense. The brass can also be heard more clearly giving it a bigger feel. If you are looking for a new version you could not go wrong with this one. The sound quality is also superb.
The Tavener pieces are as always mystically inclined. The new pieces Lalishri is fairly accessible and I think there are traces of a Mahler violin ( his 5th symphony?) piece in it. The new pieces are very sensual and Indian flavored and definitely have a simple intensity even in the faster sections. I've not always been a fan of John Tavener, but this is really good. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 29
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The Voice

CD-Charts > Music > A Cappella
by: Bobby McFerrin

Release Date October 25, 1990
I've been a fan of McFerrin's for years, and I bought this CD after having had the privilege of singing with him, and wanting to hear some more of his live/improv stuff. The CD is great -- really gives the flavor of his improvisational genius, and his warm sense of humor and joie de vivre.

I know that calling him the Dalai Lama of Music may sound a bit extreme, but he is truly a magical and charismatic person -- the joy that he has in music and his life shows in his face every time he sings. He is truly an ambassador for music, and I wholeheartedly recommend not only this wonderful, fun album, but also to take any opportunity you have to see this man perform live (his real forte) -- and sit as close to the stage as possible! I guarantee you will never ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 30
Average Rating:

He is Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > A Cappella
by: Take 6

Release Date September 10, 1991
This is, in my opinion, the greatest Christmas album ever! I've had it for 7 years now and NEVER tire of it. The arrangements are bold and brilliantly inventive. Their harmonies are as fresh as ever, and I know this music will endure and excite throughout my honkey life. My fav is Drummer Boy. I have all their stuff, and this and So Much 2 Say are my favs. Their other Christmas CD might appeal to more mainstream listeners, whereas this feeds the ears/sensibilities of those wanting excitement - wanting the proverbial chills-up-spine thrills. The cover design appropriately reflects this.