Polyphony
The Phones were an a cappella group with a comedic bent. This 1984 album largely reflects their interest in contemporary music of the preceding twenty-five years, mixing pop classics with Australian songs and original pieces.
Ira Gershwin composer
John Lennon composer
Paul McCartney composer
Gioachino Rossini composer
Michael Livett composer
Fay White composer
Jerry Lieber composer
Mike Stoller composer
Barry Mason composer
Les Reed composer
Van Morrison composer
Adriano Banchieri composer
Alfred, Lord Tennyson composer
Joseph Barnby composer
Eric Bogle composer
Daryl Emmerson composer
Thomas Oliphant composer
Cole Porter composer
Trevor Sheean arranger
Daryl Emmerson arranger
Reg Ellery arranger
The Phones began in 1978 as a classical choir called Polyphony and later became a comedic a cappella group under the new name. The album pairs knockabout humour with delicate vocal harmonies. Many of the songs were arranged by members of the group.
It takes in original compositions and covers such as The Beatles’ Yesterday and Delilah by Barry Mason and Les Reed, together with Australian songs BBQ song by Eric Bogle and Milk bar by Fay White.
Artist
Tracks
- Love potion No. 9 Jerry Lieber Mike Stoller Arr: Trevor Sheean 2:21
- Delilah Barry Mason Les Reed Arr: Trevor Sheean 2:27
- They can’t take that away from me George Gershwin Ira Gershwin Arr: Reg Ellery 2:20
- The truth about you Daryl Emmerson Arr: Daryl Emmerson Reg Ellery 4:14
- Milk bar Fay White Arr: Reg Ellery 2:49
- The wheels of industry Michael Livett 3:41
- Yesterday John Lennon Paul McCartney Arr: Reg Ellery 2:27
- The continuing story of Bungalow Bill John Lennon Paul McCartney Arr: Reg Ellery 3:22
- Moondance Van Morrison Cole Porter Arr: Trevor Sheean Daryl Emmerson 4:45
- Sweet and low Alfred, Lord Tennyson Joseph Barnby 2:29
- Contrappunto bestiale alla mente Adriano Banchieri 1:08
- Deck the halls Gioachino Rossini Thomas Oliphant Arr: Reg Ellery 2:20
- BBQ song Eric Bogle Arr: Trevor Sheean Daryl Emmerson 2:41
Performers
Composers
George Gershwin
George Gershwin (September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist whose music spanned popular song, Broadway and the classical concert hall, leaving melodies that remain widely known.
Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin wrote the words that made twentieth-century American song unforgettable: sly, tender, and built to swing. His lyrics for George Gershwin and others still give singers and jazz ensembles their sharpest material.
John Lennon
John Lennon's songs cut through styles and decades with plainspoken hooks and melodies that refuse to age. From Beatles classics to the solo anthem Imagine, his writing keeps finding new voices in jazz rooms, a cappella circles and the concert hall.
Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney's songs travel far beyond their rock origins. Melodic, singable and built for reinvention, they turn up here in jazz sets, a cappella harmony, intimate guitar ballads and even harpsichord with drums and bass.
Cole Porter
Cole Porter wrote both the tunes and the words: urbane, sharp-edged songs built for the stage and still at home in the jazz room. From Night and Day to You're the Top, I Get a Kick Out of You and I Concentrate on You, his catalogue keeps singers circling back.
Gioachino Rossini
Rossini's operas crackle with melodic invention and theatrical pace: comic peaks such as The Barber of Seville and La Cenerentola sit beside grand statements like Guillaume Tell, all driven by rhythmic snap and bright instrumental colour.
Fay White
Fay White is an Australian singer, songwriter and workshop leader whose work ranges from children’s songs to Landcare and inward adult writing, heard in cafés, concert halls, conferences and community houses.
Adriano Banchieri
Adriano Banchieri (1568–1634) was an Italian composer, organist, music theorist and poet of the late Renaissance and early Baroque.
Joseph Barnby
Joseph Barnby (1838–1896) was an English composer and conductor. His hymn tunes, anthems and partsongs include the enduring lullaby Sweet and Low.
Daryl Emmerson
Daryl Emmerson is a composer and arranger with the a cappella ensemble The Phones.
Van Morrison
Van Morrison is the composer of the song Moondance, recorded on Move in a cappella and jazz settings.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892) was an English poet and Poet Laureate whose verse has long been set to music. His lyrics remain among the most frequently chosen texts in the English art-song and choral repertory.
Where to listen
Polyphony is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Polyphony is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3055
- List price
- $20.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 37 minutes 4 seconds
- Producer
- Martin Wright
The Phones - Recording Engineer
- Martin Wright
- Release date
- 1984
- Musical work
copyright - © 1984 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1984 Move Records
- Category
- Vocal
- Genre
- Vocal & Opera
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574305524