8 years ago I sang this at my Grandmother's memorial service (she was 100% Irish). It was my proudest moment because I let it flow naturally and was able to get through it without crying...
The arrangement, the execution: breathing in unison, the cut offs, the dynamics: crescendo, decrescendo. Absolutely extraordinary again and again and again and again over the last 10+ years for me. As a former voice performance major this is my favorite acapella version of anything ever. Breathtaking, goosebumps, every time.
Joshua Labajo Groups like Penatonix or whatever they're called and The King's Singers are not usually liked by the same people. The people that like them wouldn't give this group a second listen.
I will have to agree. I'm not a big fan of Pentatonix. I do like some of their songs, but of course KS is eternal, and this group in particular is just brilliant.
I had the chance of see them perform in Belgium, 20 years ago... everything, from beginning until the very end was flawless! They are singing almost perfect.. or better: perfect!
The UK has a ton of choir boys who have had really good relative pitch and sight singing by the time that they are like 10. It's pretty feasible that you could wrangle an amazing sextet of singers from that population.
Tis a shame 99% of those watching don't realize this is about a father sending his son off to war. Just listen to the sublime words as the father actually says he will be in the grave by the time the son returns. It is so, so sad and is performed with the sensitivity it deserves. Kudos to each singer. The performance is just a masterpiece.
The text has an even deeper meaning: it says that if the son does not return (which was the most probable outcome of going into war as a British soldier back in the days), the father will be there waiting for him, even in his grave... Hence the father talks about himself dying first, but probably both he and the son know well that it's not him who is going to die first...
I know what you're saying, but they said that for previous members, too. It's simply what we're used to. I do feel that I've enjoyed certain voices more than those that came before or after, but the beauty of the KS is that they really are about the whole sound and not the individual: the six individuals become one instrument even when one part is highlighted. It's something that ainfeel is quite unique to the King's Singers. But, as I said I understand your sentiment. I felt the same way for a time.
I'm listening for the first time to King's Singers on WHAD 90.7 MILWAUKEE and what a treat to hear their Beautiful Voices blend in Harmony. I am sharing this with my Mother & Sister in Michigans Upper Peninsula on this Christmas Eve.My Mom was ALWAYS Singing and "Danny Boy" was one of the songs she sang
Look at all those smiles in the crowd as they are cheering after the song. This isn't the kind of cheering that you're usually seeing... each and everyone of them is truly amazed by this performance. Absolutely beautiful!
This is the best rendition of this song. Calm, respectful, with no over the top voice work. Other singers (women and men alike) try to make their voice sound cool/temporary/skilled while singing it. The Kings Singers (already cool by the way) RESPECT the song and let it shine.
This chord reads like this (from top to bottom): c#, g#, f#, d, g#, e. It's an E7 witj the 9th and 13th added, quite jazzy indeed ;-) The tune has already modulated to E-major at this point, so it's really the Tonic preparing the Sub-dominant --
Danny Boy" Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen to glen, and down the mountain side The summer's gone, and all the roses falling It's you, it's you must go and I must bide. But come ye back when summer's in the meadow Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow [Live version:] And I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so. But when ye come, and all the flow'rs are dying If I am dead, as dead I well may be You'll come and find the place where I am lying And kneel and say an ave there for me. And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be For you will bend and tell me that you love me And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
Wonderful. My grandmother was from Ireland and always used to have a little cry when she heard this song. Then when I got older and read the lyrics I realise that it's such a lovely, sentimental and sad song! Tear-jerker! 😢
Exquisite. I’ve been a fan of the King’s Singers for almost 40 years. I was a voice performance music major. I’ve sung semi-professionally. Listen for their breath control, how they breathe together through these phrases avoiding the natural tendency to want to rush to breathe again. This is why these guys are the best of the best. This could easily be their signature song that they could use to close all of their live performances. I’ve listened to this particular recording dozens of times over years and years and I still find it totally compelling.
This is so incredibly beautiful. I cry a little every time I listen to it. Makes me think about the sadness and the joy in my life. Love, loss, loneliness and friendship. My favorite vocal piece (and arrangement) of all. Perfect in every way. Thank you.
We sing this song in choir and it is so quite and soft and beautiful I just love this song so much. This song reminds me of my cousin in the Air Force. Some one you want to come back.. This is what this song means to me.
I love this particular piece. This would be a good piece for a funeral service in addition to Amazing Grace. I just wished people would appreciate "real" music more.
Incredible arrangement! I got to sing it once in a sextet. Gorgeous harmonies! Nothing like the King's Singers. :) I've had their CD that included this for years, and some others of theirs. Such an amazing group!
I love this song and this, to me, is the finest version I have ever heard thus far. Someone described this song to me as the perfect song of loss. From Canada. Thanks.
Such exquisite singing, I have this DVD and its a treasure, I think this line-up is the best of them all. I've been a fan since KS started, but the sheer beauty of these particular voices individually and together are the most exquisite. I truly miss hearing the voices of Stephen, Phil and Robin. The replacement guys are just OK. But for me, nothing compares to the line-up of David, Robin, Paul, Phil, Chris and Stephen. And, I think David has the most beautiful countertenor voice on the planet.
It somewhat looks in their eyes that they have a tear there too. So beautiful, will recommend this to my choir since i know they would love this beautiful song.
Yes - that chord is clearly the high point of the arrangement. I'm not sure it's just an E13, however. It seems there may be some more augmentation to it than that. I'll have to sit down at the organ and see if I can build it out.
I just fleshed it out, pretty sure it's a solid E13. From bottom to top E, G#, D, F#, G#, C# -- the F# right next to the G# gives the chord a really rich sound, but to the best of my knowledge there aren't any non-diatonic tones (except the D, if you don't count the chord as a secondary dominant)
Ah - thanks for that - saves me a bit of time. Do you think one of the component notes is sung at 8va instead of in unison with the rest of the chord? I'm not doubting your analysis, just tossing out a possiblity..
I think the craziest thing about that chord is that the melody note (which should be G# in the top countertenor) isn't even sung, but the chord locks and rings so well that you hear the HARMONIC of that note! Crazy
Yes, the first thing that hits you is the fact the note does not "belong" there. I'm still futzing around with this - haven't had time to actually disect it, but it is not JUST a true 13th chord - there is something else going on here.
