I'm B-AAA-CK!

OK.... So it's been about 9 months since my last post. 

So let's get back on the Highway To Swell! "I WANT YOU BACK!"

segue....

Here is a delightful cover of The Jackson 5's "I WANT YOU BACK" by the A Cappella group SONOS from their debut cd SonoSings.

On SonoSings, the group covers a wonderful array of songs from artists such as Radiohead, Fleet Foxes, Bjork, Bon Iver, and Imogen Heap.

Besides "I Want You Back," by other 2 favorite songs on the CD are "Oh What A World" by Rufus Wainwright and "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles. Sara even joins the group to sing lead on the song.

Here is the beautiful RUFUS WAINWRIGHT cover....

and the exquisite "GRAVITY" WITH Sara Bareilles.

Check out their cd and also their blog SonoSpeaks.

Baby Love

Here are 2 wonderful Disney tunes about mothers...

The first is the very touching BABY MINE from Dumbo.  There are many covers of this tune.  I have 3 favorites.  The first one I heard was sung by BETTE MIDLER on the BEACHES soundtrack.  I also really love the versions by BONNIE RAITT (with a Doo Wop feel!) and ALISON KRAUSS.  Definitely download worthy!!  (Actually the Bonnie Raitt version is not on i-tunes, but can be found on the cd's MARY HAD A LITTLE AMP and STAY AWAKE.  

Have a listen.

OH, almost forgot!  KERRY BUTLER has a gorgeous version as well.  Guess I have 4 favorite versions!!!  (All you mothers with 4 children out there... I've got you covered!!!)

While looking for videos of these versions I stumbled upon this really nice rendition by a young a cappella group from New Zealand called THE WILLOW SINGERS.  There are some really nice harmonies in this.  Here are 3 of the 4 members.

The second Disney song doesn't get as much exposure as Baby Mine, but it is equally as touching.... YOUR MOTHER AND MINE from Peter Pan.   Here is the original version.

*** O.k. just had to post one more song by THE WILLOW SINGERS.  The other soprano is in this video.... beautiful beautiful harmonies...

another hundred people just got off of the train...

Love the song ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE from the musical COMPANY!

Here is a clip of the Pamela Myers singing this great Sondheim song.  The clip is from a great documentary about the making of the 1970 Original Cast Album. 

The documentary "COMPANY" is available for purchase.

 

Also available for purchase is the dvd of the recent revival.

There is a FABULOUS cover of ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE by the a cappella group THE SWINGLE SINGERS.   It is on their album 1812.  Check it out here.  Highly recommended!!!

(top photo "Another Hundred People"taken by John Branch "Photogrammaton."  Found on www.flickr.com)

Hooray for Hollywood Week!

IDOL has "officially begun."  No more joke auditions (and "Bikini Girl" is off the show!)  This week was "Hollywood Week."  Last night was group night where the contestants team up in small groups and do a number.

Here are 2 of my favorite performances of the night - A Cappella Style!

I WANT YOU BACK...

SOMEBODY TO LOVE...

A Perfect Holiday Blend

Happy early Thanksgiving!  I'm heading up north to visit my wonderful family.  I SHOULD be packing right now... but I wanted to write a quick post.

I am so excited to begin the Holiday Season!  Let the Christmas cd recommendations begin....

I wrote in a previous post about a LOVELY album by Kristin Chenoweth.  This is my favorite holiday album this year.  

A close second is by an a cappella group from Indiana University called STRAIGHT NO CHASER.  Last year they posted a 10 year old video of a wonderful version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" online and became a You Tube sensation.  This led to a record deal including a fantastic christmas release called HOLIDAY SPIRITS.  

Here is the infamous "12 Days of Christmas"