I saw them live once, and they are one of the best quartets I have ever seen. Barbershop music is so under appreciated, but it's what I listen to most.
And it is in the BHS catologue, but there is a $50 arrangement fee. well worth it if your quartet can pull it off. Kirk young has also arranged some other killer songs like the Muppet show of Four Voices
I love Vocal Spectrum, but nothing beats the first time I heard this on Gas House Gang's 5th. Rob Henry was diagnosed and later died of esophageal cancer and this song was dedicated to his son. Enough to bring tears to your eyes, when anyone sings it well.
I was lucky enough to book Vocal Spectrum for their 1st ever Canadian performance in Ajax, Ontario on May 6, 2006, less than 2 months before they won their BHS quartet gold medal. They are an amazing quartet, and 4 of the nicest guys you could ever meet. I am honoured to continue a friendship with them, and look forward to seeing them again in a week's time in Anaheim. This video is just one of many fabulous performances. Constant ringing chords is their trademark!
I appreciate that they used the full, complex chords, without the simplification of other groups, and that the highest voice blends without standing out. Beautifully done!
I don't know anything about singing or musical keys, etc, but I know good music when I hear it. The bass singer gave me shivers. They are phenomenal, and I wish more people heard music like this. It made me transcend my usual state of mind and go into a peaceful place, dark and deep, as the song says. Beautiful.
Brings goosebumps every time. Love this song, love this performance, and love Vocal Spectrum. Such an honor to be a part of this art form with them and all barbershoppers.
A good musician doesn't just take correct notes. It's so much more than that. Harmonies like that aren't just pretty notes. They're the musicians food and water. It's hard to survive without music. You have no heart or soul if you can live without music.
I agree with HauoraRock. (haha) This music makes me want to sing this song over and over again for the rest of my life. It makes me happy, peaceful and inspired all at once. The harmonies are so amazing.. the voices fantastic and over all is a buttery, phenomenal piece.
Absolutely amazing!! My quartet Back in Business absolutely idolizes you guys. We competed against you all, as Random Harmony, in 2004 for the CSD collegiate contest. Great sound, most important, GREAT people!!
A Picardy third refers to ending a minor-key piece in the major instead of the minor. (For instance, in the hymn tune Manchester, by Thomas Ravenscroft, a Picardy third would sharp the final G, changing the chord from E minor to E Major.) Since "Lullaby" is a major-key piece, the concept of Picardy third doesn't apply. What you hear is that the second-last chord of the tag is the tonic minor, but then the tenor (or is it the bari?) raises his pitch a half step to make the chord major again.
You're right that it's not a Pickardy 3rd on the end! But, it's not a minor chord on the next to last chord; it's what we call a 2-3 suspension. The pitches in the next to last chord are the tonic Ab, Bb, and Eb. On the last chord, the person singing the Bb raises it a whole step to C, changing it from a suspension to an Ab major chord. (It's called a 2-3 suspension because the pitch Bb goes from a 2nd above the tonic note to a 3rd above.)
Pretty sure 6 people (dislikes at present) left their ears elsewhere when they were listening to this song. It amazes me that some people don't appreciate this song. To each their own I suppose.
Imo Vocal Spectrum is one of the finest barbershop quartets on this planet 🌍 however, this song belongs to the Kings Singers. For those of you that love Lullaby, Goodnight my Angel 😇 please listen to the Kings Singers before finalizing your opinion. Other than that, I’ll take Vocal Spectrum any day!!!
Good lord, what a beautiful version of this song. I love the bass. I love this quartet. do you know where I could get this song because I have both cd's and it doesn't have Lullabye on it.
I think they should slow it down a bit (I know Billy joel doesn't), but it is a lullaby. They do it beautifully, but my personal taste thinks it should be slower.
I don't want to get into any kind of arguement :P but i completely disagree. I think the way they sing this song emphasizes the lyrics sooo much i just love it. I don't think this arrangement is something to just "take" but to cherish. Just my opinion.
@jamesbeining8790 I have tried my hand at some Barbershop singing, but I don't know if I have the voice for it. Instead, I've started making my own multi-track covers of choiral pieces by Eric Whitacre (which, if you haven't heard, I highly recommend you look up on RU-vid, "Eric Whitacre Virtual Choir 'Sleep' " or "Lux Aurumque")
No one in their right mind is going to give this to you over RU-vid. The arranger asks for $100 over the BHS catalog. That would be a serious fine if they got caught.
i love the kings singers and they are the best at what they do...but it's too clean (rigid) for something like this. their version, although perfect balance, timing and tuning lacks expression. I think this version has its faults, but i'll take it.
While I love the King Singer's version - to suggest that these guys need to work on their phrasing and intonation is crazy. This is a different arrangement, more in Barbershop style, by one of the best Barbershop groups in the world. I have perfect relative pitch, and while I hear slight drifts - they are doing this on together as a group and focusing more on the overtones and blend. If a pitch is pushed up a few cents, they do it together and create amazing overtones. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I'm telling you this is some good stuff.
David Ritzel The Kings Singers exposed me to this Joel piece years ago so have been a disciple ever since however the time has come to share the street with another group.......Vocal Majority. Never thought this music would lend itself to barbershop harmony. Was I ever wrong!!!!
