5 Best Barbershop Quartet Performances

An often over-looked genre of music is “Barbershop.” Consisting of four singers, this mostly acapella music is modernly utilized as a way to show just how great an arrangement can be. Composers and arrangers try their hand at arranging songs across all genres, mostly country, folk, and pop. Give a listen to five of my favorite performances brought to you by the Barbershop Harmony Society.

5. Storm Front performing Lida Rose

This song from early 1900’s America is hilariously parodied by the group Storm Front. Taking a Victor Borge approach to literally interpreting music, their harmonies stay on track with this hit from Meredith Wilson’s, The Music Man.

4. Masterpiece performing Oh, Susanna!

Masterpiece is a group that you need to know. Some of the tightest harmonies are shared between this group of four guys. This traditional song is arranged beautifully for four voices. The bassist here is remarkable, allowing himself to reach notes low enough to add somberness and comedy when needed. These guys appear later on in the list, so stay tuned!

3. The Newfangled Four performing Hello My Baby… Through the Years

This example of pure barbershop comedy shows just how funny you can get with the craft. The simple song Hello My Baby takes a trip through time with The Newfangled Four. Having fun is the name of the game with this one, and the genres they produce all sound right out of their time.

2. Signature performing Proud Mary

Signature’s take on this John Fogerty is one for the ages. Pulling from both the original and Tina Turner’s version, Signature takes us from the bayou to Tennessee. Starting off a slow ballad, they bust into Tina’s fast moving melody, all while keeping their harmonies tight and together. Signature is the 2019 International Quartet Champions, and for good reason.

1.Masterpiece performing Tennessee Waltz

Masterpiece appears on the list with my favorite barbershop performance ever. Taking the traditional country song Tennessee Waltz and turning it their own, this beautiful ballad of lost love is beautifully told by all four voices. The bassists final note is something to be envied. These 2013 International Quartet Champions how us how they achieved that title with this performance from 2016. Beautifully sung and arranged.

Do you agree with this list? Have some cool footage of some barbershop quartets that you’d like me to listen to? Comment down below! I hope you enjoyed this list!