The
King's Singers are at their a cappella best when they offer light, colorful programs that let them showcase the virtuosity and imagination of their arrangements. This delightful collection of "postcards" from countries around the world would be hard to top on these counts. The program consists of arrangements of traditional and popular songs from a variety of European cultures plus some beyond: Canadian, Korean, Maori, Brazilian, Mexican, Chinese, South African, and African-American. Each arrangement treats the text with insight, and many of them lightly suggest musical styles of the culture from which the song comes, with delightful effect (try the South African piece, "Egoli," track 19, for an example). The personnel of the group has changed over the years, but the present sextet of countertenors David Hurley and Timothy Wayne-Wright, tenor Paul Phoenix, baritones
Christopher Bruerton and Christopher Gabbitas, and bass Jonathan Howard yield to none in their ensemble and ability to carry off simple emotional appeal and humor. Some of the arrangements here are new, but others were made in conjunction with visits by the group to various world capitals; they thus come pre-tested with local audiences. In all, this an unusually satisfying and enjoyable release even by the high standards of these perennial favorites. ~ James Manheim