Swingle II - One Of The Most Enchanting Vinyl Records I've Ever Heard!
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A while back, I started a series called Vinyl Obscurities, where I dive into lesser-known yet remarkable records. It’s been a long time since I last added to this category, but today, I’m reviving it with something truly special. This album has been on my list since day one, and after rediscovering it, I knew it was time to finally share it with you.
Discovering Swingle II
The record in question is Swingle II, a UK-exclusive release that remains largely unknown. Swingle II was a vocal group consisting of some extraordinary talent:
Sopranos: Olive Simpson, Katherine Bott
Contraltos: Carol Hall, Linda Hurst
Tenors: John Potter, Ward Swingle
Basses: John Luic, David Beaven
This album was recorded at CBS Studios in London in 1976 and released under RCA’s Red Seal label (catalog number RL 25112).
I first came across Swingle II thanks to a small review in The Absolute Sound many years ago. It wasn’t part of any “super disc” list, just a brief mention. But one day, while crate-digging in New York, I stumbled upon it. The deluxe glossy gatefold packaging caught my eye, and I knew I had to give it a listen.
The Magic of Pure Vocals
One of the most remarkable aspects of this record is that it features no instruments—just voices. And what an incredible sound! The album delivers a captivating, ethereal experience, showcasing compositions from some of the greatest composers:
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Charles Villiers Stanford
Benjamin Britten
Edward Elgar
Claude Debussy
Camille Saint-Saëns
Maurice Ravel
Francis Poulenc
The sheer beauty of these performances is breathtaking. One track in particular stands out—The Bluebird by Stanford. I always say that if there’s one piece I’d want played at my funeral, this would be it. It’s an otherworldly experience—soaring voices that transport you to another realm. Listening to it feels like ascending into heaven itself.
The album opens with three Shakespeare songs by Vaughan Williams, beautifully balanced between male and female voices. The depth, space, and nuance in these performances are simply stunning. This is followed by The Bluebird, a performance so perfect that I doubt you’ll find a better rendition anywhere. The first side also includes Britten’s Hymn to St. Cecilia and Elgar’s The Shower.
The second side continues with more gems from Debussy, Saint-Saëns, Ravel, and Poulenc. Each piece is performed with remarkable precision and emotional depth, making this album an absolute treasure.
A Rare and Worthy Find
I once searched for this record on Discogs and found very few copies available. Normally, I hesitate to review something this rare, but in this case, it’s absolutely worth it. If you can find a copy and love the human voice, classical choral music, or beautifully performed art songs, you need this record in your collection.
The UK pressing is fantastic, which is crucial for an album with such delicate dynamics and quiet passages. The space between the notes is just as important as the notes themselves, and this pressing captures it perfectly. The Swingle Singers delivered an exceptional performance, and the engineering is top-notch.
For some reason, this record was never reissued or released outside the UK. It remains a hidden gem, but one that deserves much more recognition.
If you ever come across a copy, do yourself a favor—pick it up. And if you do, let me know! I’d love to hear what you think. This is my first Vinyl Obscurities entry of 2025, and it’s about as obscure as they come. Happy hunting!
