The King's Singers, On Stage at Wolf Trap

This concert aired on PBS in 1987 but was taped in 1986.
My parents recorded this onto VHS and at some point dubbed a copy for a family member. I digitized this video with an EyeTV Hybrid tuner from that dubbed copy, since we wore the original out.
The audio is much better than the video, which is more important to me, anyway. It looks like this concert will never get a DVD release. I sent out letters years ago, and the production company reported that they didn't have a copy. Same for Maryland Public Television.
This dub is a sad replacement for a real release, but it's better than nothing. Our family has spent countless hours watching and attempting to recreate these songs.

[@peter81mus]

Un plaisir sans égal de les écouter après ces presque 40 années passées!

[@NSResponder]

This was the first performance I ever heard from the King's Singers and I've been a fan ever since.

[@roberthoward9966]

My first encounter with them was when they appeared on Evening at Pops, during John Williams tenure...as with the first time you hear a song or movie,etc, this has remained my favorite version of the group (tho 2 of them weren't with the group at that time...bravo!

[@daybird2]

I, also, recorded this in 1986 when it was first shown on PBS. Over the next 10 years or so, I finally wore the poor old tape out. It was one of my very favorite live performances. Finding this today, I felt like I'd just found an old friend. I've looked for years for another copy, always without any luck. You'll never know how much this is appreciated. Every note of every song came flooding back to me until I was in tears. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

[@corey_axler]

Jeremy Jackman will always by my favorite Countertenor for the Kings Singers! His tone quality, pitch, are wonderful, but it's his stage presence is second to none!!!! This must be one of Bob Chilcott's first performances as he joined in 1986.

[@Chaosdude7111]

I always preferred David Hurley, myself. Jeremy has too much vibrato for me.

[@KSfan4ever]

@@Chaosdude7111 YES!! The incomparable, the one and only David Hurley! Miss him so much!

[@talithajane-rw9mw]

Best concert ever. We wore our taped copy out.

[@moseshall9428]

I don't care how bad the audio is, this captures as best it can, a true cultural treasure. It is magnificent work. Thank you.

[@julier.1902]

I had taped this back in 1987 as well and watched it maybe 200 times! How great to see it again!

[@caycewill2271]

YES!!! Wore out the VHS of this so many years ago. This performance was my introduction to the Kings Singers. Just amazing.

[@matthewholmes3605]

Thanks for this wonderful gift! I loved the King’s Singers when I was singing in ensembles in high school (covered some of their repertoire) and actually studied voice with Tony Holt in college! So good to see him here.

[@KSfan4ever]

What a treat to see this! Especially after having listened to the more recent (with David Hurley) Codogan Hall "Masterpiece", and then to see this earlier line-up perform the same piece. Fantastic!!!!! And that handsome, charismatic, dulcet-toned Simon Carrington - wonderful!

[@corasidney1932]

I love every single iteration of the KS, but I have to admit I prefer the Cadogan Hall "Masterpiece" - I have a soft spot for David Hurley and Stephen Connolly is to my mind the best bass they ever had.

[@KSfan4ever]

@@corasidney1932 Agree 100%!!!!

[@antm64]

Best countertenor voice! His animated face just adds to the beauty of this performance. Thanks so much for taking the time to post this fantastic video...much appreciated!! No other group can compare to the intricacy of their sound!!!

[@elroythomas9071]

Thanks for this! I was singing something from the show and my wife asked me what it was from…and I was able to show her part of my childhood!

[@banjohappy]

I taped this concert off TV onto vcr tape back then too. Still have it. But your remastered version seems better than what I have. The bass is quite weak on my tape, which is a disappointment to me because the bass is the foundation of all the harmony. Thanks for this.

[@krisk1650]

Jeremy Jackman, Alastair Hume, Bob Chilcott, Anthony Holt, Simon Carrington, Colin Mason

[@paulmarvin4368]

Thanks SO MUCH for sharing this gem. I saw them in San Francisco in 1988 and got to spend some time with them as I knew their manager. All were as nice as they were talented

[@salicus]

Wonderful! Thanks for uploading!

[@HeyMrKong33]

I just found this and I'm beyond happy. I had taped this off PBS and wore the tape out. I've never forgotten what a great concert this is and what amazing singers these gentlemen are. Thank you so much for bringing this back to me.

[@kaitlinkan3973]

Thank you for posting! This made my day.

[@crowlster58]

You are an angel! Thank you for sharing this. My daughter was born in 1987. This concert was my first introduction to the Kings Singers and the song You Are The New Day has been the metaphor for her coming into our life and growing and blossoming in a beautiful woman. And her getting married next year will be another New Day. I was never able to share this video with her but can now. Thank you again.

[@conansalada]

Oh, blessed nostalgia. I've been waiting so long for this recording to one day surface again. Thank you so much for this.

[@dennydisconi3172]

I have been waiting for this to surface. I had forgotten just how much I loved this performance. I thank you, thank you!

[@PEParrish1021]

Been waiting on this for years! Our VHS recording wore out long ago.

[@jeezul]

Omg been looking for this! My dad had it taped also and I remember watching it many times as a kid. Couldn't find the vhs anywhere so now I can save it on here. Thanks for uploading!

[@domenicomonetta4535]

It's wonderful💕

[@gmweber1177]

My first configuration of The King's Singers. That this concert was never formally released was a tragedy -- and still is.

[@mikephoenix1992]

Ye Gods this made me so happy to find!!!!!!!!! I also wore out my VHS copy long ago and have searched for it EVERYWHERE. THANK YOU but also yes, competition would be great! :D

[@bikefixer]

My introduction to The King's Singers. Somewhere I have a VHS tape of this. Thanks for sharing.

[@SergMilli]

Oh man, I remember my mom taping this and I would watch it over and over again. Thanks for this.

[@johnsward66]

Thank you so much for this. Our family's experience was much the same except we didn't have the chance to make a dupe. 8~D

[@sinkhole40]

Saw them live in the mid 80's in Dover, NJ... what a great performance!

[@joeowens6180]

Marvelous - and very up-beat music, too! Get the hair on the tenor!

[@larameteenrrr7669]

amazing! Thank you so much for sharing

[@AnjaHuebel1]

Wunderbar, thanks soooo much!

[@KSfan4ever]

How wonderful to see this video, thank you for posting it! I've been a KS fan for years and years & own all their CDs. My absolute faves of all time are: David Hurley, countertenor; Paul Phoenix, tenor; Chris Gabbitas, baritone; and Stephen Connelly, bass.

[@ulrichdannenbaum4472]

Stephen Connolly (sic !!)

[@gmweber1177]

Bless you for posting this.

[@kyleblake6769]

You will soon be famous. We have be waiting for this!!!!!

[@Fishpatrol]

I'm hoping for some hot competition from other people with better sources, really. Laserdisc? Recorded live off a local FM station? Seems like something else would be in the wild.

[@kyleblake6769]

+Nathan Swartzendruber Nobody seems to have a copy!

[@wenglishsal]

Simply delightful... :D Very happy me :D

[@bigtiii]

Is talented is the other revisions are to me these guys will always be the king's singers or dingers

[@GIOVANNONE66]

molto accademici, preferisco quelli odierni

[@Watcake]

It's the Padstow May Day song!!!!

[@napsuta]

No Schubert. How sad. Nathan. We are indebted to you. Thank you.

[@nadinebuth201]

mooi

[@kimbari2436]

26:25 What is this song’s name? Please tell me.

[@Chaosdude7111]

Hearing this butchered rendition of Masterpiece made me appreciate Paul Phoenix's clear voice so much better. Chilcott pales in comparison.

[@jihanjoo]

I admire Bob as a great composer, arranger, and conductor, but his voice is not the most sonorous.

[@KSfan4ever]

Yes, absolutely! Paul Phoenix was a huge asset to the group with not only a beautiful voice, but also a terrific stage presence.

[@peripheraldevotee94]

Personally, I felt that Colin's voice was more of a disservice to this rendition of Masterpiece than Bob's voice was. Stephen's got more projection and a better bass range than Colin does, and I can hear the resultant lack of girth in the vocal blend. And while I like Paul more than Bob, that's more due to their tones than their quality of singing; I find that Paul's a cleaner, more lyrical tenor, while Bob's voice is more dramatic.

[@richardscrimger3969]

First off, this version is still enjoyable. But Phoenix and Connolly were among KS best-evers in power and comic style. FWIW, I like the current lineup's musicality a lot. Comicality maybe not so much.

[@alejandrobertuola5901]

each person's ringtones are different. This appreciation is very subjetive, although i love Paul.

[@stanislev]

Jaz? Polyphony supposed to please the ears. Hurly-burly! Hullabaloo! Nothing more.