The Harmony Sweepstakes National Finals 2002
The sellout crowd at Marin Veterans Aud. in San Rafael, CA
once again saw a dazzling Harmony Sweepstakes Final - Eight Regional winners
from all over the country, giving their all in the "most exciting twelve minutes
in a cappella." In this wonderfully recorded CD we hear Denver winner Eclipse's
"Danny Boy" and "Look My Way," Bay Area Winner III of a Kind's incredible
cover of "Man in the Mirror" and the Asian hit tune "Anak;" returning winner
(Pacific NW) The Standards' "Ain't Got Nothing But Love" and heartfelt "Prayer
of the Children;" Boston Winner Groove's great covers of "Anna Begins" and
James Brown's classic "I Feel Good," and New York winner, the Russian group
Autri, sings "Keimanchuli" and a stunning original by one of its members,
"Tale of War." Los Angeles' Perfect Gentlemen's cutting edge barbershop harmony
soars into "Blue Skies" and "Patty Cake." Washington, DC's Tone Rangers score
with their offbeat covers of "I Need You" and Simon & Garfunkel's "Keep The
Customer Satisfied." Finally, Chicago winner Chapter 6 nails Queen's "Bohemian
Rhapsody" and finishes with a hilarious "Wizard Of Oz Medley." In the end
the judges chose The Perfect Gentlemen as National Champion, (also chosen
Audience Favorite) and we walked into the night, smiling and raving about
one of the best a cappella shows of all time!
2002C CD $14.98
National Finals 2001
If you were there in San Rafael on May 5th, 2001, you know
what an incredible show this was. Eight of the best groups in the world,
Sixth Wave, Voice Trek, Freestyle, Vox Bop, So Rare, T Minus 5, 4:2:5 and
Eclipse, on stage for 12 incredible minutes each, the show hilariously hosted
by last year's winner, Toxic Audio. The sellout (always) audience was blown
away by one amazing performance after another, ranging from the ridiculous,
T Minus 5šs side-splitting "Red Neck Avenger" and Freestyle's very funny
"Paper Doll," to the unbelievable, Vox Bop's genre-hopping commentary on
all things a cappella, "Slinky Variations," and Voice Trek's tour-de-force
"William Tell Overture;" to the sublime, So Rare's "Ainšt Misbehavinš and
4:2:5's "Still The One." In the end, the judges had a difficult choice,
and went with Los Angele'š Sixth Wave, whose "Grazin' in the Grass" and
"Mambo" are representative of their wonderful vocal jazz set. Add two songs
by Toxic Audio, which makes 18, and you have a barn-burner CD of one of
the best a cappella shows of all time. Wow!
2001C CD $14.98
National Finals 2000
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!
2000 CD 14.98
National Finals 1999
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.
2999 CD 14.98