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Signum Classics

Simple Gifts / King's Singers

$19.99

Details

Composer
JOEL TAYLOR LAWSON CHILCOTT
Artist
The, King'S Singers
Format
CD
Label
Signum Classics
Released
Jan 01, 2008
Catalog #
SIGCD121
UPC
635212012123

About

It's hard to believe that this is the King's Singers' 40th anniversary season, but this newly recorded program comes as part of the celebration. Of course, over the years the names have changed, the record labels have changed, but the group of six male singers continues to do what it's always done: perform a near-limitless range of repertoire with exceptional technical polish, assured sense of style, and captivating personality, spiced with occasional humor and always conveying the sheer joy of singing, whether in a Byrd motet, a folksong arrangement, or a Beatles tune.

For listeners who primarily identify with the King's Singers' classical-oriented programs, you should know that this is definitely not a "classical" album. Rather, nearly half of the songs are pop tunes (from James Taylor to Billy Joel to Paul Simon and Sting), and the rest--spirituals, ballads, and folksongs--feature arrangements that place them squarely in that genre. Of course, those arrangements are typically first-rate, owing primarily to the expertise of current ensemble member Philip Lawson and former King's Singer Bob Chilcott, both of whom have long experience supplying the group with fresh, original musical creations. New to this CD are Lawson's settings of Sting's "Valparaiso", Paul Simon's "April Come She Will", Randy Newman's "When She Loved Me", and James Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes".

Besides appreciating the impeccable vocals and clever, invariably entertaining arrangements of well-known songs ("Deep River", "Steal Away", "She's Always a Woman"), you can't help but notice--and possibly be distracted by--the sound, whose highly processed quality and close perspective can make the voices seem both uncomfortably near and otherworldly. It's a sonic cast--all done in a studio--that's quite different from other King's Singers recordings; some listeners will love it, others will, well, have to get used to it. And certainly, if you love this group--and who doesn't?--you've probably already reserved a place on the shelf.

--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

Tracks:
She’s Always a Woman (Billy Joel, arr. Philip Lawson)
You Can Close Your Eyes (James Taylor, arr. Philip Lawson)
Greensleeves (Trad. English, arr. Bob Chilcott)
The Gift to be Simple (Trad. American, arr. Bob Chilcott)
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (Trad. Spiritual, arr. Peter Knight)
Helplessly Hoping (Stephen Stills, arr. Philip Lawson)
Deep River (Trad. Spiritual, arr. Philip Lawson)
Black is the Color (Trad. American/Scottish, arr. Bob Chilcott)
I Love my Love (Trad. English, arr. Philip Lawson)
The Water is Wide (Trad. English, arr. Philip Lawson)
When She Loved Me (Randy Newman, arr. Philip Lawson)
Valparaiso (Sting, arr. Philip Lawson)
The Turtle Dove (Trad. English, arr. Philip Lawson)
April Come She Will (Paul Simon, arr. Philip Lawson)
Steal Away (Trad. Spiritual, arr. Bob Chilcott)
You are the New Day (John David, arr. Peter Knight)

Tracklist 16 tracks

  1. 1 She's Always a Woman 03:21
    Track
    1
    Title
    She's Always a Woman
    Duration
    03:21
    Composer
    Billy Joel
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  2. 2 You Can Close Your Eyes 03:41
    Track
    2
    Title
    You Can Close Your Eyes
    Duration
    03:41
    Composer
    James Taylor
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  3. 3 Greensleeves 03:01
    Track
    3
    Title
    Greensleeves
    Duration
    03:01
    Composer
    Anonymous
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  4. 4 Simple Gifts 02:07
    Track
    4
    Title
    Simple Gifts
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Joseph Brackett Jr.
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  5. 5 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot 03:00
    Track
    5
    Title
    Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
    Duration
    03:00
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  6. 6 Helplessly Hoping 02:32
    Track
    6
    Title
    Helplessly Hoping
    Duration
    02:32
    Composer
    Stephen Stills
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  7. 7 Deep River 04:01
    Track
    7
    Title
    Deep River
    Duration
    04:01
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  8. 8 Black is the Color 02:18
    Track
    8
    Title
    Black is the Color
    Duration
    02:18
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  9. 9 I Love my Love 03:42
    Track
    9
    Title
    I Love my Love
    Duration
    03:42
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  10. 10 The Water is Wide 02:44
    Track
    10
    Title
    The Water is Wide
    Duration
    02:44
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  11. 11 Toy Story 2: When She Loved Me 03:15
    Track
    11
    Title
    Toy Story 2: When She Loved Me
    Duration
    03:15
    Composer
    Randy Newman
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  12. 12 Valparaiso 03:48
    Track
    12
    Title
    Valparaiso
    Duration
    03:48
    Composer
    Sting
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  13. 13 The Turtle Dove 03:21
    Track
    13
    Title
    The Turtle Dove
    Duration
    03:21
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  14. 14 April Come She Will 02:13
    Track
    14
    Title
    April Come She Will
    Duration
    02:13
    Composer
    Paul Simon
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  15. 15 Steal Away 02:54
    Track
    15
    Title
    Steal Away
    Duration
    02:54
    Composer
    Traditional
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers
  16. 16 You are the New Day 02:38
    Track
    16
    Title
    You are the New Day
    Duration
    02:38
    Composer
    John David
    Ensemble
    The King's Singers