The King's Singers: From Byrd to the Beatles (2006)

The sextet of Englishmen known as The King’s Singers, one of the world’s most renowned a cappella vocal ensembles, has been delighting audiences around the world for more than 30 years. On their first DVD, they share some of their favorite works, a mixture of songs old and new—madrigals by Byrd and Monteverdi, a Rossini overture, and tunes from The Beatles, Freddie Mercury, Duke Ellington, and many more. Interspersed with these performances is footage of the singers in the recording studio as they face the challenge of performing Thomas Tallis’s 40-part motet Spem in alium. The program culminates with their rendition of this magnificent work.

Super Kings!

No one can sing like them, and in so many varieties of styles! They're fun to look at, too! September 3, 2008

Another Look

This DVD gives you "another look" at the King Singers if, as it was with me, all you were acquainted with was their CDs. I have been a fan for years but I have never seen them in person. It was interesting to "get to know them" a bit through this DVD. My TV system presently does not have any sound other than that of the Wide Screen LCD that I use. It's not bad but the music definitely suffers in comparison to the Bose system in my car which is where I do most of my listening - so - depending on the sound quality of your system, the DVD might be a bit disappointing compared to your CD's.

It was interesting listening to the intervening explanations about their recording session and it does add a dimension to the music at the end, but quite frankly I would have preferred another couple of songs. I also was a bit disappointed in the selections, hence the four stars. The songs they sing are good but the range of their music is not as well represented on this DVD as I would have enjoyed. However, that said, what they do is great and it is very enjoyable to watch them as they sing. "Queen" never sounded this good.

It's a good DVD to add to your collection if you are a fan. If you are not a fan, or are looking to be introduced to the Singers, then buy a few of their CD's and then decide if you want to add this also. If you are not really into early, baroque and renaissance madrigal type music then you will probably be better off spending the money on their other works which are not as heavily vested in that genre. March 26, 2008

Amazing!

After seeing The King's Singers in concert 2 months ago, I was anxious to purchase the DVD. I was not dissapointed. The 5.1 surround live performance is just like being there. Also, the making of "Spem in Alium" is very interesting. The final studio recording is incredible. I highly recommend this DVD.

Kurt VanLeeuwen
Santa Clara, Utah February 8, 2008

Fantastic As Usual

Superb voices-the reason this group has been around for so long! The recording of Billy Joel's Lullaby will bring tears to your eyes! June 2, 2007

Excellent! Brilliant

These guys are simply the best cappella singers ever.

The DVD is great, structured into pieces that go from the older madrigals, to the most recent Beatles. The introductions for each song is done by the members of the group themselves and they actually explain a lot of the contents in the lyrics and their writers, which considering that many of them are in french or german, is very enlightening. May 15, 2007

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