Review and More

Our Review

Anyone who knows and loves a cappella chorale music undoubtedly already knows and loves the The Vocal Majority (VM), an award-winning pops chorus hailing from Texas. Last year, I reviewed other VM offerings (see other VM listings on this site), including a superb DVD. This holiday album is "Alleluia", one of the first Christmas CDs in the VM catalog, recorded back in 1992. It may be an oldie; it most definitely is a goodie!

VM presented over 100 voices in its all-male, a cappella ensemble. Unlike subsequent holiday CDs, "Alleluia" is a more serious & straightforward affair. This music is more classical than pop. There is no instrumentation at all (except for the organ on "Hallelujah Chorus." The arrangements are elegantly simple. Sometimes, less is more.

This is a wonderful all-around Christmas CD for those who adore the sounds of classic barbershop. The song selections are traditional, and VM's singing is superb. For me, the opening "Songs of Christmas Medley" (a creative blending of "Christmas Is Coming," "Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly," "O Little Town Of Bethlehem," "The First Noel," Angels We Have Heard On High," "Hark The Herald Angels Sing," and "Joy To The World") is alone worth the price of admission. The track's final moments, where the men's voices pound out the final, glorious ALLELUIA--well, it's indeed a goose-bumply affair. On one solemn cut, "Little Altar Boy," the four voices of guest ensemble The Dealer's Choice expertly handle the harmonies with surgical precision.

Of course, closing "Alleluia" with the "Hallelujah Chorus" is a natural. By the time the last strains fade, you will be singing alleluia, too. Masterful!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

More

From the liner notes:

Wendy Wilson provides the solo on "A Christmas Carol."
Ann Morgan provides the organ on "Hallelujah Chorus."
The Dealer's Choice performed on "Little Altar Boy."

The recording you are listening to was recorded in February and August of 1992 at the Dallas Sound Lab, a wondrous state-of-the-art recording facility housed in the mammoth Dallas Communications Complex in Irving, Texas. The arrangements and recordings were provided by a group of the most dedicated and talented creators we have ever had the privilege of working with. Those artists included:

The Vocal Majority: A group of more than 100 of the most talented and professional amateur singers in America. This all male ensemble is the performing chorus of the Dallas Metropolitan Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and has won the Society's annual "Best In The World" competition virtually every time they have been eligible. This album marks the 12th recording by this internationally acclaimed singing organization.

Jim Clancy, Musical Director: At the time of this recording, Jim Clancy had directed The Vocal Majority for 18 years. During that time, his inspiration, dedication and arrangements have propelled the chorus to six International Gold Medals, 12 record albums, and four videos--including a joint album with the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Greg Clancy, Assistant Director: Greg is a singer and producer in the Dallas commercial recording industry where he works daily with his father, Jim. He began singing with The Vocal Majority at the age of twelve. And today, at age thirty, he offers his own brand of musical direction and contemporary expertise to the chorus. Greg directs "Carol Of the Bells" and "The Little Drummer Boy" on this recording.

David Wright: David has been widely recognized as one of the most exciting and innovative choral arrangers of the past 20 years. He has arranged most of the music that has helped capture the past three International Chorus Gold Medals for The Vocal Majority.

The Vocal Majority

Alleluia: The One Hundred Voices of the Vocal Majority

Artist link

Track List