Gene Puerling and Don Shelton had originally formed part of the successful all-male vocal group, The Hi-Lo's, some years previously. The Singers Unlimited Group were originally formed to record for commercials in the USA, but as time progressed, they were persuaded to enter the recording studio to record a series of albums. On the recommendation of Oscar Peterson (who was also signed to the label at the time), they gained a contract with German label MPS. They recorded two albums in 1971, the first a cappella, the second with Peterson's then current trio.
The group produced 15 albums, of which arguably the most well-known is their Christmas Album (which was actually recorded before the group's association with MPS.) All of the 14 albums they recorded specifically for MPS (between the years 1971-1982) are collected in the 7 CD box set entitled Magic Voices.
Magic VoicesPuerling's Singers Unlimited arrangements earned him the reputation as one of the best vocal writers in the world. The renowned jazz-gospel vocal group Take 6 often gives credit to Puerling and the Singers Unlimted as innovators in the a cappella world, claiming that Take 6 "went to school" on Puerling's arrangements.
Puerling took advantage of cutting-edge multitracking techniques of German studio engineer Hans George Brunner-Schwer to create his advanced harmonic concepts and the group's signature sound. In the overdubbing process, baritone Puerling and tenor Shelton would often add two additional middle parts, after which all parts were "doubled" and "tripled." Creating these extra tracks created the fuller, richer sound of the group's recordings, and is now a common recording practice.
Len Dresslar (born 1924), bass of the Singers Unlimited, arguably best known as the voice of the Jolly Green Giant ("Ho, Ho, Ho!") for well over 40 years, as well as the voice behind countless other jingles from Chicago, passed away in 2005. He had also been the President of the Chicago branch of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) for several years in the mid to late eighties.
All the Things You Are
Singers Unlimited Lyrics
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That makes the lonely winter seem long
You are the breathless hush of evening
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song
You are the angel glow that lights a star
The dearest things I know are what you are
And some day I'll know that moment divine
When all the things you are, are mine
You are the angel glow that lights a star
The dearest things I know are what you are
Some day my happy arms will hold you
And some day I'll know that moment divine
When all the things you are, are mine
The lyrics to Singers Unlimited's song "All the Things You Are" describe the object of the singer's affection as someone who brings joy and happiness to their life, even in the darkest of times. The opening stanza establishes this with the comparison of the person to a "promised kiss of springtime" that helps ease the pain of the "lonely winter." The imagery continues with the person being compared to a "breathless hush of evening" that is about to burst into a "lovely song." The overall impression is that the person is a bright and shining light in the singer's life.
The next stanza describes the person as an "angel glow" that "lights a star." This metaphorical language highlights the person's importance and beauty, emphasizing that they are the "dearest things" the singer knows. The final stanza looks toward the future, with the singer dreaming of the day when they will be able to hold the person in their arms and all the qualities that make them special will be theirs.
Line by Line Meaning
You are the promised kiss of springtime
You are the hope and joy of a new beginning
That makes the lonely winter seem long
Your presence brings light amidst dark times
You are the breathless hush of evening
You are the moment of peaceful silence before something beautiful happens
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song
That prepares the way for a beautiful melody
You are the angel glow that lights a star
You are the beauty that illuminates the darkness
The dearest things I know are what you are
You are the most precious and valuable thing in my life
Some day my happy arms will hold you
I look forward to embracing you with joy
And some day I'll know that moment divine
I anticipate the moment of experiencing something heavenly
When all the things you are, are mine
When I have all of you and everything that you bring, my life will be complete
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEROME KERN, OSCAR II HAMMERSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind