The vocal harmony world missed an important golden anniversary last year, and today is a perfect day to make up for it.
Just over fifty years ago, in 1971, The Singers Unlimited released their first record, In Tune – a collaboration with the Oscar Peterson Trio. They would go on to release fifteen albums over twelve years, including a Christmas album, collaborations with many influential musicians in instrumental jazz (Rob McConnell & The Boss Brass, Robert Farnon, Clare Fischer, Roger Kellaway, etc.) and of course their amazing three a cappella albums (cleverly titled A Capella, A Capella II, and A Capella III). The voices of Bonnie Herman, Don Shelton, Gene Puerling, and Len Dresslar singing the vocal arrangements of Gene Puerling revolutionized vocal harmony groups – what was considered possible and how to do it. TSU set the bar.
It is not an exaggeration to say that every vocal arranger I know has been deeply influenced by the music of The Singers Unlimited. I’ve talked to some of the most celebrated arrangers currently working, and without fail they list their influences as some variation of “Puerling, Puerling, and Puerling.” (That’s a direct quote from Darmon Meader.)
(Let’s be clear, I’m among those who were profoundly influenced by The Singers Unlimited):
The Singers Unlimited didn’t just break ground; they opened up entire new continents for exploration in the areas of arranging, recording technique, blend, and sound. Take 6, The Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, The Real Group, Jacob Collier, Chanticleer, Accent – these and so many other groups wouldn’t be the same if not for what The Singers Unlimited created.
We missed the chance to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of TSU’s emergence in 1971, but it’s not too late to throw a party. Put on your favorite TSU album, and if you don’t have a favorite, just listen to ’em all. No better day than today, on the birthday of their visionary, Gene Puerling, who would have been 93 today. Here’s a place to start: Side 1, Track 2 of their first album:
Fifty years of The Singers Unlimited, and they still sound as fresh and brilliant as they did in 1971.