Harmony Sweepstakes National Finals 2007

O Fortuna - Face Bring Me Little Water, Silvie - Moira Smiley & VOCO Steal My Kisses - DoubleShot Rock Around The Clock - The Fault Line Sugarcane Jubilee - Men in Black Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing - V-Chords Wade in the Water - Solstice Szerelem - Moira Smiley & VOCO Home - Face Some Kind of Wonderful - The Fault Line Run Around - Men in Black Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident) - V-Chords Defying Gravity Paul Wolf Nightwatch Stand in that River - Moira Smiley & VOCO The Lion Sleeps Tonight - DoubleShot Enterprise / Sulu Medley - Hi-Fidelity Kappee - Solstice Always Look on the Bright Side of Life - Nightwatch

On a perfect May Saturday night in San Rafael, CA, the sold-out audience witnessed another unbelievable evening of unaccompanied vocal harmony singing. Eight Regional winners were up on stage, singing their hearts out for the fans and the judges, with the National Championship on the line. The best 18 songs of the night, including from local favorites the folk/world female ensemble Solstice with "Wade in the Water" and the dynamic "Kappee." A pair of songs from Audience Favorites Denver's "Face," includes the gritty, powerful rocker "Home," that won them 2nd Place. Three tracks from the evening’s winners National Champs from Los Angeles, Moira Smiley & VOCO with the folk tune "Bring Me Little Water, Silvie," "Szerelem" and the lovely, moving "Stand in that River." Other favorites are New York's The Fault Line's "Some Kind of Wonderful;" the Pacific NW's V-Chords' "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing”, Boston's Men in Black's "Run Around" and Chicago's Nightwatch's very funny "Defying Gravity." And let us not forget host group 2006 Champions Hi-Fidelity (hey, that's 2 in a row for L.A.!), whose "Enterprise/Sulu Medley" reminds us how brilliant and funny they can be.

Listen to Home (Face) in Real Audio

Harmony Sweepstakes National Finals 2006

Adams Family - Hi-Fidelity My Baby Just Cares For Me - Clockwork Only You - Regency Take the A train - Round Midnight Last Train to Clarksville - ElmoThumm Blackbird - Hi-Fidelity Jump, Jive & Wail - Regency As - Traces Creep - Clockwork Tin Roof Blues - Round Midnight Shooting Star - ElmoThumm We Built This City - Tongue Tied A Cappella Long Train Runnin' - Curious Gage Sunglasses - Tongue Tied A Cappella Windmills - Curious G Wonderful World II - Traces

It's the first weekend in May, and the sold-out audience at Marin Veterans Auditorium in San Rafael, CA is buzzing with anticipation of seeing the Harmony Sweepstakes Finals, possibly the best live show in a cappella! 8 Regional-winning groups are backstage, having beat out as many as 8 other groups for the privilege of singing their hearts out for the National Championship. "Finals" has 16 of the best tunes from that memorable night, including Bay Area winner Clockwork's jazzy "My Baby Just Cares For Me," and wonderful cover of Radiohead's "Creep," part of an excellent set that won them 3rd place, and the award for "Best Original Arrangement." We hear Mid-Atlantic-winning Regency's "Only You" and high-energy "Jump, Jive and Wail," part of a great set that won them 2nd place. LA barbershop quartet Hi Fidelity, in "Addams Family" costume, bring us the "Addams Family" theme and a key-bending, hilarious "Blackbird," they won both Audience Favorite and the National Championship. New York Quartet 'Round Midnight's "Take the A-Train" and "Tin Roof Blues," Chicago's Elmo Thumm's "Last Train to Clarksville" and "Shooting Star," Denver's Curious Gage's "Long Train Runnin'" and "Windmills" show us how good Hi-Fidelity had to be to win. Boston's Traces sing "As" and "Wonderful World," which won Best Original Song," and the Pacific NW's Tongue Tied A Cappella give us a dynamic cover of the Starship's "We Built This City." Exciting cuts from a magic May evening in San Rafael!

Listen to Blackbird (Hi Fidelity) and Only You (Regency) in Real Audio

Harmony Sweepstakes National Finals 2005

Ode To Krispy Kreme (Chapter 6) Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing (Chapter 6) Paper Moon (Moodswing) Mary Don't You Weep (Traces) Joy To The World (Groove For Thought) Superstitious/I Wish (Fiveplay) Can't Stop Thinking About You (Firedrill!) Crazy Love (Cartoon Johnny) What's Goin' On? (Undivided) I Never Knew (Fiveplay) Englishman In New York (Traces) Chain OfFools (Firedrill!) Pink Panther Theme (Face) Moanin' (Moodswing) Walk The Straighter Road (Groove For Thought) Rock Your Body (Cartoon Johnny) Amazing Grace (Undivided) Harder To Breathe (Face) Safety Dance (Face)

It always seems to us as the Harmony Sweeps celebrates another year of its existence (its 21st, in this case), that "last year's Finals were so sublime, how could this year's possibly…etc., etc."—but then we're in the sold-out, excited audience for this year's, and the first group is about to come on… what we're trying to say is somehow each Sweeps Final is better than the last. And what we love about the CDs is that they're live, 9 of the best a cappella groups in the world on one stage, singing their hearts out for 13 short minutes, for the National Championship. Last May, Mid-Atlantic's Cartoon Johnny, Boston's Firedrill, Chicago's Fiveplay, NYC's Traces, Denver's Face, Pacific NW's Groove for Thought, LA's Undivided and SF's own Moodswing were those groups. 19 songs, including "Joy to the World" and Best Original Song, "Walk the Straighter Road" by Kevin Kunz of National Champions Groove For Thought, David Lichtman Best Original Arrangement winner "Paper Moon" by Greg Murai of Moodswing, ("Moanin'" by Moodswing is also happily included), 3rd Place finishers Fiveplay sing Stevie Wonder's "Superstitious/IWish" and "I Never Knew," and runner-up and Audience Favorite Face have 3 winners, "Pink Panther Theme," "Harder To Breathe" and "Safety Dance." But let us not forget hosts Chapter 6, whose "Ode to Krispy Kreme" and "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" drew standing O's, Firedrill's Motown classic "Chain of Fools," Traces' "Mary Don't You Weep," Undivided's "What's Goin' On" and Cartoon Johnny's "Crazy Love." A savory sampler from a magic night in May in San Rafael, CA!

Listen to Walk The Straighter Road (Groove For Thought) and Paper Moon (Moodswing) in Real Audio

National Finals 2004

Happy Birthday - Alpha Themes/Variations on It Don't Mean A Thing- Chapter 6 Blue Bayou - Idea Of North In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Clockwork Salsa Te Triago Yo - Alpha 7th Wheel - Chapter 6 Charlie on the M.T.A - Heebee-Jeebees Take 5 - Mosaic St. Louis Blues - Road Show I've Got Rhythm/Fascinatin' Rhythm - Clockwork God Bless This Child - Vox Bop Obsession - Impulse Cree (Believe) - AlphaKiss From A Rose - Impulse Isn't She Lovely - Idea of North Use the Force - Heebee Jeebees The Commercial Medley - Vox Bop Bye Bye Blues - Road Show Shining Star - Mosaic

This year's Harmony Sweepstakes reminded all who participated, how magical making music can be. Now, we all can share that magic by listening toÊthis excellent live recording. With 20 years gone by, this national competition is still going strong and bringing out the very best in a cappella singing.This year's show had an excellent assortment of various styles, including jazz, pop, contemporary, latin and much more. There were lots of humorous moments, including the national champions, Chapter Six's original song, "7th Wheel", as well as somber/uplifting moments including the beautiful performance of "Kiss From A Rose" by Impulse. Of course no one could forget Clockwork's performance of "Inna-Godda-Da-Vida" or Vox Bop's "Commercial medley". With continuous stellar performances from all eight groups, this 19 track CD is sure to keep you entertained.

National Finals 2003

Mas Que Nada - Idea of North Amarte Mas - Undivided Musical Group Psycho: The Musical - Moosebutter Go tell It On the Mountain - Second Chance Singers My Funny Valentine - All About Buford Truck Drivin' Man - Nightwatch Gimme Some Skin - Perfect Gentlemen Straighten Up and Fly Right - Cadence You're Not So Good - Groove Society Tempted - Cadence When She Loved Me - Idea of North Sand Down My Pants - Second Chance Singers Star Wars - Moosebutter Meanest Thing You Ever Did Was Kiss Me Yes Sir, That's My Baby Mission Impossible Theme - Undivided Musical Group Summertime - All About Buford Listen to the Music - Groove Society

We're of the almost certainly biased opinion that the Harmony Sweeps Finals are the best a cappella shows in the world. Imagine 8 groups, who have come in first in Regional competition with 10 other groups in places like New York, Boston, the Bay Area, Chicago and LA, performing before a packed auditorium in San Rafael, CA for 12 minutes each, for the coveted National Championship. Each year outdoes the last, and 'electric' doesn't do justice to the 2003 Finals. There are 18 songs on the CD, two from each group and two from '02 Champs, and very funny hosts, LA's Perfect Gentlemen, 'Gimme Some Skin' and the guitar accompanied (!) 'Meanest Thing You Ever Did Was Kiss Me.' The Bay Area's hilarious Moosebutter brings us 'Psycho, The Musical,' winner of 'Best Original Song' (lyrics), and their trademark parody, 'Star Wars,' part of a set that won them 2nd place honors. The Pacific NW's Second Chance contribute a funky 'Go Tell It On The Mountain' and the very funny beach song parody 'Sand Down My Pants.' LA's Undivided Musical Group sing 'Amarte Mas' and nail Ward Swingle's arrangement of 'Mission Impossible Theme.' Boston's All About Buford do wonderful covers of the Gershwins' 'Summertime' and Rodgers & Hart's 'My Funny Valentine.' Chicago's Nightwatch sing two songs from their infamous 'Diner Set' (complete with ballistic donut), 'Truck Drivin' Man' and 'Yes Sir, That's My Baby,' and New York's very smooth Cadence covers 'Straighten Up and Fly Right' and 'Tempted' beautifully. Denver's Groove Society gets the crowd up and rocking with 'You're No Good' and the classic 'Listen to the Music.' Unbelievably, as good as all these groups were, the best was saved for last, Mid-Atlantic winner Idea of North from Australia, who shine on 'Mas Que Nada' (which won the David Lichtman Award for Best Arrangement) and Randy Newman's heart-tugging 'When She Loved Me.' Idea of North got the nod from the judges, and won Audience Favorite, while Moosebutter and Cadence placed 2nd and 3rd. A chorus of 'Goodnight Sweetheart' later we were all walking out of beautiful Marin Veterans Auditorium, not believing how good a show we had just seen and heard!

National Finals 2002

Eclipse - Look My Way III Of A Kind - Man in the Mirror The Perfect Gentlement - Patty Cake Tone Rangers - Keep the Customer Satisfied Eclipse - Danny Boy Groove - Anna Begins Tone Rangers - I Need You Autri - Krimanchuli Groove - I Feel Good The Perfect Gentlemen - Blue Skies Autri - Tale of War III Of A Kind - Anak Standards - Nothing But Love Chapter 6 - Bohemian Rhapsody Chapter 6 - Wizard of Oz Medley Standards - Prayer of the Children

Toxic Audio - Route 66 +4db - Away Naturally Seven - Train Perfect Gentlemen - Style All Star Vocal Band - Don't Stop Believin' Chapter 6 - Istanbul Exboyfriends - Ramble On Live Wire - Zoot Suit Riot Naturally Seven - Have I Ever Told You Total Experiance Gospel Choir - The Lord's Prayer +4db - I Could Write A Book All Star Vocal Band - I Wish Toxic Audio - The Water Is Wide Chapter 6 - Jump, Jive And Wail Perfect Gentlemen - A Salute to 20th Century Music Total Experiance Gospel Choir - Pass Me Not Exboyfriends - A Philoyles Thing

The professionalism of the competing groups becomes more impressive with each passing year! Each and every ensemble that graces the stage with their talent has something special, and each group is distinct in its own way. Of course the contemporary and jazz groups are always popular - and in fact, Toxic Audio, the contemporary/jazz quintet from Florida, took first place, and another mixed jazz quintet, Bay Area favorites +4 db, were third - but, in addition, we feature the Perfect Gentlemen, a barbershop group from Los Angeles (2nd place), and the Total Experience Gospel Choir. Of course, 1999 champs, and your hosts, the contemporary Christian septet, Seven, perform two songs, and their virtuosity is undeniable. Audience favorites the Exboyfriends (who have won this category in previous New York regionals, flexing their performance muscles), swagger with Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On," while the reconstituted All Star Vocal Band (formerly the 17th Ave. All Stars) cover Journey and Stevie Wonder. Live Wire and Chapter Six represent the hot retro swing craze. It's a panoply of sound!

National Finals 1999 (SOLD OUT)

This year's program was the most diverse and exciting yet. Filled with emerging groups, as well as Sweepstakes favorites such as Chicago Voice Exchange, the competition was intense indeed. Seven, from New York, garnered top honors, with their intricate and multi-textured voicings, heard to best advantage on "Bridge Over Troubled Water"; the group's arrangements are expanding the universe of sound. Taking second place were the Standards, five brothers whose onstage appeal and energy charmed everyone. Minimum Wage's outrageous humor, as exemplified by "The Last Cowboy Song," had the audience begging for mercy (or more?) Other musical highlights include the ringing tones of last year's champs, Metropolis (a barbershop quartet), the Euphorics, with "Message In A Bottle" and Pickup 6's medley of Beatles favorites.

In a Mellow Tone Some Lucky Day Good Lovin' The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face This Island Earth That's How You Jazz (medley) Wake Up Call Get It On Virtual Insanity Happy World Maritime Folk Song Chili Con Carne Coronet Man Yakko's World Crawlin' Sign Your Name Across My Heart Improvised Jam

We are fortunate indeed to have assembled such a truly talented group of finalists for the 1998 Harmony Sweeps. Winners Metropolis, the barbershop quartet from Southern California, sing "Some Lucky Day" and the entertaining "Yakko's World." Audience favorite (and second-place finishers) +4dB begin the festivities with "In A Mellow Tone" and also perform the Real Group's "Chile Con Carne." Other groups include Canadians the Heebee-jeebees, catalog favorites Blind Man's Bluff, Ball in the House and Acapelicans (from Australia), Cool Shooz and the third place winners, the Sweet Adelines' quartet City Lights. Bonus performance: An improvised jam by our evening's hosts, SoVoSo.

Say: So Vo So Say A Prayer: So Vo So Stray Cat Strut: DaVinci's Notebook Nuclear Power: Graffiti Tribe Change The World: Graffiti Tribe Nothing Is Written: This Side Up Hush: This Side Up Higher And Higher: Chicago Voice Exchange Spiderman: Chicago Voice Exchange Get Down Tonight: Five O'Clock Shadow All I Want: Five O'Clock Shadow Some Kind Of Wonderful: Kickshaw Thinkin' About You: Kickshaw Human Nature: Seven Seconds Celebration M-Pact! If I Lost You: M-Pact!

Well, here we go again saying that this year's Harmony Sweepstakes recording is even better than all the rest, but it is so true! The quality of the groups improves, and the recordings really do get better! Features our Regional Champs Five O'Clock Shadow, Kickshaw, Seven Seconds, SoVoSo, Graffiti Tribe, This Side Up, Chicago Voice Exchange, and DaVinci's Notebook plus 1996 National Champs M-PACT!

National Finals 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 (ALL SOLD OUT - There are tapes available for $4.45)