Our Review
What a hoot! The Shinko Singers are in fact one talented guy, Carl V. Shinko, starring as the soprano (scary), alto, tenor (his true voice), and bass in this happy little "quartet." Not content just to handle all the vocal parts, Shinko also manages to provide mouth percussion and vocally-simulated clarinet, trombone, and bells (no instruments were played on this CD). If you love a cappella music (and I do love a cappella music), and you enjoy upbeat and professionally-executed carols done with flair and dry wit, Carl Shinko's Carols with Carl: A Solo Exploration of the Christmas Choral Tradition may be precisely your cup of nog.
The 14 tracks are, for the most part, well-known holiday favorites. The liner notes helpfully indicate the number of "Carls" singing on each piece; the number ranges from 8 to 111. Technically, it must be quite difficult to layer the various vocals in such an astute way. Shinko manages the magic seamlessly.
Imagine that you hear carolers on the street. You throw open your front door, and there they are--numerous Carls, all excellent singers, floating sweet harmonies on the cold winter air. Sadly, the carolers disappear after only 32 minutes; still the minutes represent time well spent. My favorite number is probably the gloriously delicate Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen, but everything is finely crafted here. The Shinko Singers definitely pull out all the stops on the closing Jingle Bells, and the funky old-time final bars are a humorous capper to a creative album.
Carols with Carl is a fun album to throw on your car system when you want to drive along singing holiday harmonies with the exuberant Carls. You're off-key? Carl won't mind--after all, 'tis the season to celebrate the Christmas choral tradition!
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)
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From the liner notes:
Carl Shinko, soprano
Carl Shinko, alto
Carl Shinko, tenor
Carl Shinko, bass
Carl Shinko, mouth percussion
Carl Shinko, clarinet/trombone/bell imitations
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Carl Shinko
Photography by Len Kalechitz, Kate Shinko and Carl Shinko
Graphic Design and layout by C. Shinko
Produced by Carl Shinko
Catering provided by Carl Shinko and Kimberly Reigert
Wardrobe for Mr. Shinko provided by Len Kalechitz.
No instruments were played on this compact disc.
These tracks were recorded in 1999, 2000, 2005, and 2006 in various bathrooms, closets, bedrooms and hallways.
The Shinko Singers
Carols with Carl: A Solo Exploration of the Christmas Choral Tradition
Artist link
Label: Longfooter Productions
Length: 32 minutes
Genre: Choral
Release: 2006
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Deck the Hall |
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |
| The Boar's Head Carol |
| O Come All Ye Faithful |
| Angels We Have Heard on High |
| The First Nowell |
| Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen |
| Joy to the World |
| What Child Is This |
| The Holly and the Ivy |
| O Tannenbaum |
| Hark the Herald Angels Sing |
| Silent Night |
| Jingle Bells |