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“CHRISTMAS“ BACK TO THE SINGING AND LESS OF THE SWINGING WITH THE KING’S SINGERS’ FIRST CHRISTMAS ALBUM IN OVER A DECADE "The long-awaited 'new Christmas CD' is now here!! In it we are taken to Christmas Eve in an English Cathedral. I submit to you that this album should take us all to our roots as to why we celebrate Christmas. Perhaps you will find new depth in your faith as you listen to the music of history, and the present, tell this wonderful story." --Doug Anderson, Owner, DJ Records. One of the most famous groups in vocal history has gone back into the studio after a break of three years, to record their first release for the UK independent label, Signum Records. The King’s Singers - which was founded in 1968 and has been a phonemonal, global success for over three decades - has plans for 3 initial recording projects with Signum Records commencing with a Christmas album to be released this October. Entitled simply Christmas, this is the group’s first seasonal disc in over 10 years and comprises a feast of both traditional and new Advent music from one of the world’s finest a cappella ensembles. Most people know that today's King's Singers were young boys or merely a glint in their Father's eyes when the group was founded. Since 1968 there have been eighteen members of the group - a very low turnover - helping maintain the sense of stability and belonging that are The King's Singer's trademark. The six young Brits who consititute the present King’s Singers line-up are David Hurley, countertenor, Paul Phoenix, tenor, Philip Lawson, baritone, Gabriel Crouch, baritone, Stephen Connolly, bass and newcomer Robin Tyson, countertenor who joined the group in 2001. Exciting as it is to be a member of this famous institution, it is also a challenge for the current team to update the image of the bow-tie and velvet jacket clad swingers of the 1970’s and bring them into the 21st century. Today’s King’s Singers are more likely to be clad in Paul Smith suits or seen in their spare time on the football pitch, all of them being avid football fans, despite their regular playing injuries. Off the pitch they are careful to distinguish their programmes in order to present a wider representation of musical projects both serious and fun. Hence future recordings for Signum are clearly differentiated; the Gesualdo Tenebrae Responses will be recorded and released in 2004 and a disc of close harmony American music – ranging from Folk Songs and Spirituals to Billy Joel – will be released in 2008. Even the current Christmas CD shows a distinctly different path from the last Christmas offering ten years ago. Here the emphasis is on a wider and more serious presentation of Advent–tide music rather than the more commercial, easy listening Jingle Bells approach that tended to stereotype the group in the late 70’s and 80’s. Christmas comprises 24 carols for each day of Advent, additionally a bonus track which pays homage to of one of the ensemble’s more famous songs. Featured on the disc are such celebrated carols as Away in a Manger, specially arranged for the group and other traditional carols performed in their original versions. Even though nearly every piece on this disc could be heard in an English church carol service, the variety of musical styles covered is immense. Five centuries of music are represented here including works from various different countries. “As a group that spends much of its life on the road, we are fortunate to be able to gather music from many cultures and traditions beyond our own“ says Gabriel Crouch. “Several pieces collected on our travels have found their way onto this playlist, including Arvo Port’s Bogoroditsye Dyevo and the Polish-Ukranian song Szczo to za Prediwo, which we first heard performed by a choir from Warsaw at a King’s Singers’ workshop. “ In addition to the choice of traditional Christmas carols the King’s Singers have chosen pieces by Peter Warlock, John McCabe, John Rutter, Bo Holton and the King’s Singer’s own Philip Lawson, as represenative of the living tradition amongst English institutions for commissioning new carols. A King’s Singers Christmas album would not be complete, however, without a little close harmony and so a few additional numbers have tastefully crept in. La Peregrinacion by the Argentinian composer Ariel Ramirez is another souvenir from The King’s Singers global travels whilst You Are The New Day stands as one of perennial King’s Singer’s favourites sung here in a new version with Christmas words by Philip Lawson and to the accompaniment of a string quartet. Read some Reviews Further information on The King’s Singers can be found at www.kingssingers.com CHRISTMAS Track listing 
The SATB songbook may be ordered in combination with the Christmas CD as a special offer good until December 31, 2008. Click here for further information about the songbook.
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