THE SUNTONES BARBERSHOP QUARTET DANNY BOY

[Dudley1948]

My sister and I can remember my father, mother, and two older brothers singing this when we were very very young. God bless all of them for enlightening us to such beautiful harmony. Thank you for the great memories.

[passonthering]

I've heard this recording hundreds of times over the past 35 years. It sounds better than ever. Such amazing vocal control, blend, musicality and emotion. Elegantly simple (agree - not easy) arrangement. The Suntones ARE the standard IMHO.

[xcolonelxturtle]

The king singer's version of this is also really good.

[sickwithaph]

Unspeakable beauty.

[Ragman205]

this is soooo beautiful! thanks so much for the upload ^_^

[BshopHero]

balled at the AIC show...along with everyone in the audience.

[kylebatchelder]

Yeah, @kuchikuu i saw them sing this at the AIC show, and it brought me to tears.

[codelittlefield]

who disliked this? this is simply the best ever, period

[kuchikuu]

Heard them just a few days ago at the BHS convention... they STILL sound like this. Absolutely incredible.

[Wammoblammo]

This is reducing me to a pile of tears and smiles.

[jwall310]

goosebumps.

[calvinthebarber]

:O/:D

[smorinator]

I have some words who needs an auto tune when you have the voice of an angel

[shanerpoon]

So amazing..... No words..

[ApostlesoYahwehUnite]

You guys are the absolute best!

[HolyMotherofGrid]

1:13..... WOW!!!!!!

[timothy81]

we had this played at my father's funeral, 12/22/10... he loved and sang Barbershop, The Suntones, and, coincidentally, his name was Daniel... a lot of his 'older' friends knew him as 'Danny' ...

[nicofitz]

Something about this music that makes for polite and interesting comments; with the possible exception of this polite but uninteresting meta-comment.

[TrickyE]

I looked at my library on iTunes one day, and this was the most frequently played song with something like 200 times listened. I can't tell you how many times I've rewound to listen to the chord they sing around 1:10 - 1:12 it gives me the chills every time they hit it.

[YellowCakeKid]

man, that key change around 1:50 really is just amazing

[recquilt]

@YellowCakeKid

Great observation....sounds easy but it aint...

[joylou70]

This brings back so many memories as I have heard the Suntones sing this many times back in the 60's and early 70's. They were the best that's ever been in quartet harmony in my humble opinion.

[dennygordon1969]

This has to be the only video on youtube with 50 000 odd views and 0 dislikes, and with good reason

[doublealufwaffe]

It makes me cry

[MinusTheKidd]

SATAN!!!

[Jastro88]

@MinusTheKidd ... that's a bit random. How is Satan involved here...?

[MinusTheKidd]

@Jastro88 to be honest i was just being a dick.i actually do enjoy the quartet tho.id delete my satan comment but im not quite sure how

[jonathanpenney]

Gene Cokeroft is the finest lead voice ever!

[seattleappel]

My father just passed away June 19, 2010 and we had a babershop quartet sing this at his memorial... It was one of his favorite songs.

[Lust0bject]

i wish i could download this somewhere

[PugetBill]

@Lust0bject Most Suntones original albums / songs are available to purchase / download from iTunes and amazon.com, etc. The "Masterworks" CD is also still available I believe from singers.com

[WadabawSleeve]

2:56 ! 3:12 !

[vindicari]

wow, thats all i can say. straight to favorites. thank you.

[illnymo]

Mmmmm.....Suntones. Simply the best.

[YellowCakeKid]

omg that leads range, so easily sung but so broad. so well trained. and no falsetto, just chest and head, ugh, gives be chills

[bigmunkeyboy12]

@YellowCakeKid but head voice is ur falsetto in a man, but i agree about the range, so effortless and full of tone

[YellowCakeKid]

@bigmunkeyboy12 well yes and no, but it doesnt matter, lol

[TallBlueEyedGal1]

I had the privilege to know and sing on a show with these gentlemen....they took your breath away!! Have you ever heard anyone make a 1/2 tone key change? They could! They were "stars" when I met them, but they deserved it. There will never be another!

[barenmoose]

The 30 year body of work that the Suntones produced allowed them to repeat several performances in the same area and never repeat song choices. The Bluegrass Student Union was another of my favorite long running quartets, 30 years also. So many great quartets don't last long enough because of distance or the never ending weekend travel or as was the case with weekend show travel schedules.

[phantomj05]

My dads quarted(the Insiders 1976 International Champs) also sang this quite a few times. I am partial to their voices, and version. But I have to agree this is a Fantastic Job of this song.

[ChltMusic]

True story: Back in 1973 or '74 my next door neighbors were very active in the SPEBSQSA and they allowed me to learn barbershop harmony with them. The Suntones played Ovens Auditorium and I was allowed to ride with them from the airport and listen to them rehearse. I was only 7 or 8, but it was one of the greatest times of my life. You'd never want to meet a nicer bunch of guys and their harmony still sends chills down my spine. I get misty at this tune. They're Simply The Best!!

[radagast155]

that is unbelievable! how I wish I could hear such masters of harmony perform an unforgettable masterpiece! listening to this through speakers must not give the live version justice! oh to be a professional barbershop singer!

[Ruttie2]

sounds very good!

[Polyphemus47]

Projectile tears.

[OscillatingEthmoid]

Easily the best youtube comment ever!

[iamthegngrbrdmn]

it's amazing how much the 3 harmonic pitches sound like just one voice singing a chord....the blend is so perfect that you cant really tell how many voices there are

[sture8808]

On what record can this tune be found?

[dixon497]

There has never been a better quartet than the Suntones and I seriously doubt there will ever be one. It seems like all the "newer" quartets just sing loud and high pitched, no doubt they are good, but this is so much more pleasing to my ear. Incredible blend!

Sorry bdmyers100 but your comment that the Gas House Gang and the Suntones are comparable is amusing to me. If anybody ever saw them live in their prime, I'm sure you'll all agree they were way ahead of their time.

[rewindbass]

Saw Gene perform this last night at Harmony College North East. He was singing with the bottom 3 parts of "Gotcha", hence the "Gotcha Tones". Superb job, he might be graying a little, but can still make you cry. Awesome concert!!!

[piercewise1]

Agreed! I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. Simply beautiful.

[rewindbass]

Absolutely, Can't wait til next year to see how they top this one!!

[bdmyers100]

i love this song it is my favorite barbershop song ever. i love barbershop and this is one of the best groups out there, and so is the song. these guys are comparable to the gas house gang. i sing lead for my barbershop quartet and every one of these guys deserves applause. No one is saying anything about the base or the bari so i must say they both did a particularly amazing job. cudos.

[mortygwhiz]

It'll do.

[BlisterEye]

Masterpiece.

[bbshopbrat]

Doesn't ANYONE have old home movies of them performing? They were amazing on stage!! I remember when they first learned West Side Story. It made my mother cry, and they were still "learning" it. Most of all I liked Fiddler on the Roof!

[HolyMotherofGrid]

These guys are good!! I like that they minimized the sentimentality - kept just enough to get the emotions across, but didn't go overboard and milk the song. Great balance and blend, pitch and they take it at what feels like an ideal speed. Thanks for posting - this is top stuff!

[jetson888]

its amazing how a lot of songs are just great ... before people re do them and slaughter them... this truly is great..

[HolyMotherofGrid]

I agree completely!! As you so accurately point out, a good part of the charm of a particular song, lies in the arrangement and performance - even great songs can be "slaughtered" (by Sting, for example, lol!!). This particular arrangement and performance is particularly excellent.

[NLPsportsman]

Has anyone got the four part sheet music for this? Would love to get a copy - please advise?

[bbshopbrat]

Check with the BHS. Possibly Gene Cokecroft, the tenor may be able to help.

[dman3334]

the is beautiful

[shenkin777]

AWESOME!!

[NobodyFamous2008]

WOW!

[BEVERYCUMMINS]

Well they made me like the song , It's so melodic and I am crying.

[Ragman205]

it really is beautiful

[badman620]

nothing beats seeing these guys live. i unfortunatly have not seen them w/ Bill Cain, but I did see a reunited Suntones w/ Todd Wilson singing bass around 5 years ago. And I have the pleasure of having Gene Cokeroft as my Chorus Director and Quartet Coach.

[bbshopbrat]

If you did not see them with Bill you certainly missed out. You are however lucky to have Gene. Gene knew me while I was VERY small as my dad is one of his long time friends. Gene is extremely talented and knowledgable; learn all you can from him!

[whyamisleepy]

High notes are incredible

[BergenBrain1]

i feel like this song changed my life. if anyone has the arrangement to the music to this if they can please message me so i can give you my email, i would be eternally thankful.

[godsloved3]

lol i think i can guess who's the bass there. the guy thats like 10 feet tall!

[Ragman205]

often the little guys are the bass

[haveatomato]

beautiful.

[mdcearns]

wow.

this is the reason i'm so obsessed with barbershop, i was trawling through youtube and came across it, and started transcribing it immediately to sing with my quartet..

i'll never grow tired. :')

especially, 2:56, 3:12 :)

it's a shame so much great barbershop's been taken off youtube.

[herowyn]

I have a quartet myself (school, nothing big), but if you do transcribe it; can you please send me a copy of it?

I would be very grateful.

[rewindbass]

I had the pleasure of singing with the Palm Beach County Coastmen with Harlan Wilson for about 4 years. Of course almost every show we did contained the Suntones. Even had the awesome pleasure of singing bass with them one night when Bill Cain was late for sound check. Never forget it!! One of the high points of my barbershop career.

[gdmvsm1]

Absolutely Fantastic. The Suntones are by far and away the finest quartet. HANDS DOWN!! Thanks so much for posting and I hope "the Society" keeps their hands off and allows you to keep this posted so many other viewers can experience the best that barbershop can offer.

[menrey1]

Just perfect!

[UA767]

Amazing.

[zacknafein10]

incredible.

[chevtough]

this song gives me shivers. nobody will ever top the way they perform this.

[rory131]

I'm an addict. I cant't stop listening. Help...

[recquilt]

Me too. Probably my favorite piece of recorded music.

[adidastrucker]

This tag is the best tag ever. My favorite!

3rd Gen.

[jws54]

This is done so powerfully, I am afraid to pass it on. Tis so well sung

[recquilt]

The Barbershop Harmony Society made me take down about 20 competition video clips claiming copyright infringement even though these videos are out of print. You would think that presenting good barbershop quartet singing on youtube would be advantageous to the organization.

[jws54]

what a shame that it is as they say,

"no good deed shall go unpunished".

I can think of no better work than to bring beauty into a dreary world and to encourage others to seek after such refinement.

It is sad, The Barbershop Harmony Society, does not see it that way.

For what you have done here and for the efforts you have made,I salute you. It is such a beautiful song, I know it's haunting melodious refrains would move many to seek after more of the same.

Thank you very much.

[tsmithkc]

@recquilt

the BHS stopped caring about promoting the appreciation barbershop harmony and started only caring about selling CD's for competition choruses about the time they changed from SPEBSQSA to BHS. Don't take it personally.

[mcpicklejar]

Like I've said in other videos, the society does not understand the amount of popularity barbershop has gained over youtube. Especially with the younger audience, and it is a real shame that they are taking down all those videos.

[Dudley1948]

Recquilt -

I can't thank you enough for providing "Danny Boy" and "Little Pal" on You Tube. I've been searching for Little Pal for many years, and I have always loved this "Danny Boy."

These are my two favorites.

Classic. I'll sleep good tonite. Thank you.

[recquilt]

Hey Dudley1948...Thanks for the kind words...My favorites also....two of our best ever quartets singing simple arrangements sweetly!

[DrSousaphill]

This is the first time I've heard this selection, even though I've been in SAI since 1990. Wow! It is so wonderful to hear such a FINE quartet! They remain in my opinion...THE BEST EVER!!!

LL

Florida

[baddiss74]

I know right?

[gawagirl]

what a sweet clear tenor!!

[themusicman2k10]

This is the song that got me into barbershop. I didn't even know what barbershop was then. I was amazed at the depth and prominence of the bass and the angelic tones of the tenor singing the melody. I am indebted to the Suntones for opening up the intoxicating world of BBS to me.

[Tgoon1]

One of the best Barbershop Quartets EVER.

[ClovePsyKoz]

I kid you not, the only song that has ever brought a tear to my eye...

[airdale15]

Haunting and GORGEOUS! The only recording of this song that should ever be allowed....

[mcpicklejar]

gogo geno! :D

[DanishCartoonist]

I love this recording SO very, very much! The first few chords had me!!

[highvoltagews]

Does anyone know what arrangement the Suntones used to sing this most glorious example of beautiful four part harmony. How truly touching this melody is when sung by the Suntones. Their music will be enjoyed for generation to come.

[SexyOperaGuy76]

I believe this was arranged by their tenor, Gene Cokeroft. He also sings melody.

[mcpicklejar]

you are correct sir

[shaunamus]

omg i just found my new favorite band (i no its not a actuall band its a quatet)

[Dumpledork]

This is such a beautiful and sad song... and to hear it done so beautifully is just amazing. Thank you for posting this video.

[hellotheapple]

hahahahaha yesss!!!! i love the screenname!

[a07002]

These are the 1961 International Barbershop Quartet Champions, and perhaps the finest quartet ever.

[highlandsh]

Too bad this version didn't make it into that PBS Special. It was an hour, just about this song, with lots of different performers, including Clapton. This is as good as any.

[highlandsh]

I like this older, more relaxed sound. The newer groups sound so stiff, like they are inhaling the sound rather than letting it out.

[highvoltagews]

Pure Gold...Pure Gold.

[legato29]

Oh my god that's some tight harmony!! I've never heard of them (where have I been?) but they're just too awesome!!! I sing baritone in our quartet.

[coolsinger016]

I love the Suntones! The Tenor singing melody is my director at the Singing Miamians! I charish every moment that I sing with him. Thanks Geno!