Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community  

Go Back   Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community > Interests > Tilted Music


 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 01-18-2005, 09:23 AM   #1 (permalink)
Untitled
Guest
 
a cappella music

So I did a quick search and came up with nothing on this topic...

My favourite song of all time is an a cappella song by the Flying Pickets called Only You. This form of music is just so impressive to me. Whenever I see an ad for our local Barbershop Quartet performing, I always try to make it.

That said, does anyone else share a fondness for this (underappreciated, I'd say) style of music with me? Any bands/links you'd be willing to share?
 
Old 01-18-2005, 09:30 AM   #2 (permalink)
Getting it.
 
Charlatan's Avatar
 
Super Moderator
Location: Lion City
I have to say without question that I really don't like A Cappella music...

I don't like the way it sounds.

The Nylons give me the willies and Barbershop Quartets just make me writhe with contact embarassment.
__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke
Charlatan is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 09:41 AM   #3 (permalink)
Junk
 
There was a trio or quartet I heard some years ago, with male and females singers that sang bebop songs from Coltrane to Oscar Peterson. But the difference was they took the improvised lines and added words for each note mimicking the solos and made stories (dialogue) out of it. It blew me away. If I'm not mistaken they won a grammy. Don't know their name.
__________________
" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

Last edited by OFKU0; 01-18-2005 at 09:44 AM..
OFKU0 is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 09:49 AM   #4 (permalink)
 
roachboy's Avatar
 
Super Moderator
Location: essex ma
for groups that did this kind of thing, that i can remember:
there were lambert hendrix and ross
and the swingle singers.
either of those?
__________________
a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle
spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear

it make you sick.

-kamau brathwaite
roachboy is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 10:10 AM   #5 (permalink)
Devoted
 
Redlemon's Avatar
 
Donor
Location: New England
Quote:
Originally Posted by OFKU0
There was a trio or quartet I heard some years ago, with male and females singers that sang bebop songs from Coltrane to Oscar Peterson. But the difference was they took the improvised lines and added words for each note mimicking the solos and made stories (dialogue) out of it. It blew me away. If I'm not mistaken they won a grammy. Don't know their name.
This style is called 'vocalese'. The group was probably Manhattan Transfer (which is not a cappella, but vocal jazz). Jon Hendricks is one of the best at it; he writes a lot of the lyrics for Manhattan Transfer.
__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.
Redlemon is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 10:16 AM   #6 (permalink)
Devoted
 
Redlemon's Avatar
 
Donor
Location: New England
But back to a cappella. This is one of my favorite genres. I'll drop in a few groups, one per post.

First, The Bobs. They've been around for over 20 years, and still sound incredibly modern. Their songwriting abilities are incredible, and have songs about the strangest things. Downloads from their website include Hidden Bonus Track (yes, that's the actual title, and it isn't hidden on the album either) and an amazing cover of Helter Skelter.

Most of the time, The Bobs are three men and one woman. The cast has changed over the years, but they always sound like The Bobs. I recommend "My, I'm Large" as a first album to purchase, followed by "Coaster".
__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.
Redlemon is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 11:24 AM   #7 (permalink)
pinche vato
 
warrrreagl's Avatar
 
Location: backwater, Third World, land of cotton
I have a couple of obscure a capella favorites for you from albums that are mostly accompanied:

Crosby & Nash - Critical Mass, which is Part I of "To the Last Whale" from the "Wind on the Water" album.

David Crosby - Orleans from the "If Only I Could Remember My Name" solo album.
__________________
Living is easy with eyes closed.
warrrreagl is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 11:35 AM   #8 (permalink)
Cosmically Curious
 
onodrim's Avatar
 
Location: Chicago, IL
I like Rockappella (I think that's how they spell it), and I'll add another vote for Manhatten Transfer, they do some great stuff also.
__________________
"The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there’s little good evidence. Far better it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides"
-Carl Sagan
onodrim is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 01:04 PM   #9 (permalink)
"Afternoon everybody." "NORM!"
 
Paradise Lost's Avatar
 
Location: Poland, Ohio // Clarion University of PA.
Check out Da Vinci's Notebook ( as seen doing "The Sneak" Theme Song over on
Homestar Runner. ) They basically just do A Cappella versions of famous rock
and oldies songs. Funny stuff to listen to also, because alot of the songs you
could never ever see being done that way.
__________________
"Marino could do it."
Paradise Lost is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 02:51 PM   #10 (permalink)
It's All About The Ass!!
 
K-Wise's Avatar
 
Location: In a pool of mayonnaise!!
Thats the thing about a cappella...sometimes you'd think a song can't sound good a cappella but depending on who it is singing it, it can be just as powerful if not even more powerful than the original version. Theres a certain vulnerability apparent when someone is up there all by themselves trying to wow you with just their voice when you're used to hearing it fully accompanied..it's quite pure. I sing a capella all the time it's a lot harder..not that I feel my voice is bad it just gets a little unnerving that there is nothing to back you up, nothing to drown you out, nothing but you and your voice...and in the case of Quartets? The voices become the instruments harmonizing to create the rhythm of the song could even be worse than solo because if one is off it's painfully obvious. I appreciate it just like I appreciate the many other forms of music out there.

Asta!!
__________________
"I love music and it's my parents fault (closing statement)." - Me..quoting myself...from when I said that...On TFP..thats here...Tilted Forum Project

It ain't goodbye, it's see ya later! I'll miss you guys! - Asta!!

Last edited by K-Wise; 01-18-2005 at 02:55 PM..
K-Wise is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 08:12 PM   #11 (permalink)
whosoever
 
martinguerre's Avatar
 
Location: New England
my roomie is in the a capella band at my college...and they kick a fair amount of ass. once they finish recording their CD, i'll see if they'd agree to sample a few tracks here or something.

they do a version of "stuck in a moment" that really gets to me. the end seems like it was just made for a capella...multi-part harmony on the last chorus was just too perfect.
__________________
For God so loved creation, that God sent God's only Son that whosoever believed should not perish, but have everlasting life.

-John 3:16
martinguerre is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 08:34 PM   #12 (permalink)
Human
 
SecretMethod70's Avatar
 
Administrator
Location: Chicago
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paradise Lost
Check out Da Vinci's Notebook ( as seen doing "The Sneak" Theme Song over on
Homestar Runner. ) They basically just do A Cappella versions of famous rock
and oldies songs. Funny stuff to listen to also, because alot of the songs you
could never ever see being done that way.
Even better, they do some truly hilarious "adult"-themed songs!
__________________
Le temps détruit tout

"Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling
SecretMethod70 is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 09:26 PM   #13 (permalink)
Tone.
 
shakran's Avatar
 
there's a midwest based group called Tonic Sol Fa that just signed with a for-real label (i wanna say Sony). First a-capella group ever to do it without agreeing to add instruments. They're pretty good.
shakran is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 09:39 PM   #14 (permalink)
Unbelievable
 
cj2112's Avatar
 
Location: Grants Pass OR
I used to sing Barbershop....I love a capella music. There is a quartet named Reprise that is just unbelievable, you HAVE to check these guys out.
cj2112 is offline  
Old 01-18-2005, 09:43 PM   #15 (permalink)
President Rick
 
mrklixx's Avatar
 
Location: location location
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redlemon
First, The Bobs. They've been around for over 20 years, and still sound incredibly modern. Their songwriting abilities are incredible, and have songs about the strangest things. Downloads from their website include Hidden Bonus Track (yes, that's the actual title, and it isn't hidden on the album either) and an amazing cover of Helter Skelter.



Good taste, my friend. The Bobs rock! I really dig their cover tunes, because to me that's what a "cover song" is all about, doing a song in your style and not just a carbon copy of the original.
mrklixx is offline  
Old 01-19-2005, 06:25 AM   #16 (permalink)
Devoted
 
Redlemon's Avatar
 
Donor
Location: New England
Quote:
Originally Posted by shakran
there's a midwest based group called Tonic Sol Fa that just signed with a for-real label (i wanna say Sony). First a-capella group ever to do it without agreeing to add instruments. They're pretty good.
Just searched, looks like they are signed to Vivaton Records, which as far as I can tell is an independent.

<a href="http://www.housejacks.com/">The House Jacks</a> were signed with Tommy Boy Records (Warner Brothers) back around 1997 or so, but the dicks never released the album. THJ eventually had to buy back their masters in order to get the album released, and after that half of the group quit. They still exist, and still rock, but it isn't the same.

The House Jacks pioneered the "vocal band" style of contemporary a cappella. To quote off of the Hot Lips website:
Quote:
So what makes a vocal band different from a barbershop quartet, a doo-wop group, or other types of a cappella ensembles? There seem to be a few defining characteristics, as follows:

They sing with microphones, a mixing board, and a good sound engineer as essential pieces of the show. Barbershop quartets and classical groups, such as the King's Singers, perform a cappella truly "in the style of the chapel" - unaided by electronics. Many contemporary vocal bands, in fact, use electronic assistance to achieve amazing effects with their voices, including vocal percussion that sounds like a full drum set, wailing blues guitar solos, and bass undertones.

They perform like a band. With the benefit of mikes and monitors, they no longer need to huddle to blend, as other a cappella groups must. They fill the stage, providing a complete audiovisual experience as they move and dance to the groove as they sing. In other words, they have as act like a band.

They sound like a band. The growing use of vocal percussion along with creative arranging (an essential component for any successful vocal band) can make five of six voices sound like there's nothing missing from the traditional pop music experience. One of the most common comments when people hear vocal bands for the first time is, "I can't believe there's no music!" This drives vocal bands crazy, as, of course there's plenty of great music, there's just no instruments!
There aren't any full downloads on the House Jacks site, but check out the vocal drumming on this MP3 clip from their original Tear Down the Walls. Also, I should probably include a cover version, so here's an excerpt from Kashmir.
__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.

Last edited by Redlemon; 01-19-2005 at 08:00 AM..
Redlemon is offline  
Old 01-19-2005, 01:25 PM   #17 (permalink)
All Possibility, Made Of Custard
 
quadro2000's Avatar
 
Location: New York, NY
I was in an acapella group in college for a semester or so. I enjoyed performing in one, but I don't generally like listening to them. I find most college acapella groups think they're so precious, and I really get tired of the "look! I'm making drum sounds...with my MOUTH!" feel that many have.

That being said, I absolutely love good harmony, as well as traditional barbershop quartets, so go figure.

I do, however, have a good band for you to check out. They are not completely acapella - they do a few acapella songs on most of their albums - but they are funny, inventive, and have breathtaking harmonies. It's a shame that they're not around anymore - they broke up in 2000.

Their name is Moxy Fruvous. They were huge on the college circuit from '93 - 2000. Going by album, here are their complete acapella songs. You can listen to sound clips on Amazon. Do yourself a favor and listen to them all, because some feature instruments but the harmonies are really what shine.

Bargainville - Lazy Boy, King Of Spain (their most popular hit), Spiderman, Gulf War Song

The B Album - I Love My Boss and Jenny Washington are the only all acapella, but all the rest have minimal instruments - usually just a guitar.

You Will Go To The Moon - Title track, Kick in the Ass (great song!)

Live Noise - one of my favorite live albums - King of Spain, I've Gotta Get A Message To You (unbelievable)

Give 'em a try. They're fun as all get-out.
__________________
You have to laugh at yourself...because you'd cry your eyes out if you didn't. - Emily Saliers
quadro2000 is offline  
Old 01-19-2005, 06:36 PM   #18 (permalink)
Untitled
Guest
 
AH! Quadro, Moxy Fruvous is one of my favourite bands! I adore the Bargainville album! My Baby Loves a bunch of Authors is great. (Not a cappella though).

I agree with your point about the harmonies though. I think that's what appeals to me most about a cappella music.

(ps. If you're looking for amazing harmonies, check out Superman's Song by Crash Test Dummies, though you probably already know it)
 
Old 01-19-2005, 07:16 PM   #19 (permalink)
All Possibility, Made Of Custard
 
quadro2000's Avatar
 
Location: New York, NY
Quote:
Originally Posted by Untitled
AH! Quadro, Moxy Fruvous is one of my favourite bands! I adore the Bargainville album! My Baby Loves a bunch of Authors is great. (Not a cappella though).

I agree with your point about the harmonies though. I think that's what appeals to me most about a cappella music.

(ps. If you're looking for amazing harmonies, check out Superman's Song by Crash Test Dummies, though you probably already know it)
I'm glad you already know them! "My Baby Loves A Bunch Of Authors" is another one of those songs where I tend to think of it as acapella even though there are a few instruments - because the harmonies are what it's all about.

I actually don't know Superman's Song, but I'll check it out. The harmonies in "Afternoons and Coffeespoons" by the same band are some of my favorites though.
__________________
You have to laugh at yourself...because you'd cry your eyes out if you didn't. - Emily Saliers
quadro2000 is offline  
Old 01-20-2005, 04:21 AM   #20 (permalink)
Devoted
 
Redlemon's Avatar
 
Donor
Location: New England
The only Moxy song I know is their version of Green Eggs and Ham, which isn't a cappella, but is very clever.

And for Da Vinci's Notebook, I've been thinking about picking up some of their CDs, but just haven't gotten around to it. Here's the beginning excerpt (mp3) of their song Title Of The Song, which is a brilliant deconstruction of every boy band ballad you have ever heard.
__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.
Redlemon is offline  
Old 01-20-2005, 06:23 AM   #21 (permalink)
Femme Fatale
 
Nancy's Avatar
 
Location: Elysium
I really like a cappella music but I've never bothered to find any other a cappella bands apart from the one I already know: Neri Per Caso (Italian). Their "La Regazze" (=girls) is their best song to date IMO.

Thanks for the band tip Redlemon, I'll check them out sometime
__________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy.
I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.
Nancy is offline  
Old 01-20-2005, 07:24 AM   #22 (permalink)
 
roachboy's Avatar
 
Super Moderator
Location: essex ma
if you are interested in hearing folk who can do really virtuosic things with their voice, i would suggest checking into the lovely strange world of sound poetry. a cool place to start is

www.ubu.com

try:

jaap blonk
henri chopin
bob cobbing
jackson maclow
kurt schwitters
hugo ball
john cage (the spoken stuff is very cool)
and cast about from there. there is a TON of material on this site.


while you're there, you can also check out my band
(which is not sound poetry in the same way as the above, but we are on ubu as well)
under recent additions
clairaudient
__________________
a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle
spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear

it make you sick.

-kamau brathwaite
roachboy is offline  
Old 01-20-2005, 12:13 PM   #23 (permalink)
Tilted
 
Location: Pennsylvania
Da Vinci's Notebook has been mentioned a few times. Anyone who likes a cappella or wants to get a good laugh will get a kick out of those guys. Take a listen to a song called "Enormous Penis" or "Another Irish Drinking Song" and you will be hooked.
redlotuss9 is offline  
Old 01-20-2005, 02:16 PM   #24 (permalink)
All Possibility, Made Of Custard
 
quadro2000's Avatar
 
Location: New York, NY
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redlemon
The only Moxy song I know is their version of Green Eggs and Ham, which isn't a cappella, but is very clever.

And for Da Vinci's Notebook, I've been thinking about picking up some of their CDs, but just haven't gotten around to it. Here's the beginning excerpt (mp3) of their song Title Of The Song, which is a brilliant deconstruction of every boy band ballad you have ever heard.
Green Eggs and Ham is actually pretty much acapella, with the exception of some percussion...there aren't any other instruments on there...

And I LOVE "Title Of The Song" - very very smart.
__________________
You have to laugh at yourself...because you'd cry your eyes out if you didn't. - Emily Saliers
quadro2000 is offline  
Old 01-20-2005, 03:22 PM   #25 (permalink)
Ella Bo Bella
 
Ella's Avatar
 
Location: Australia
One of my fave a'capella tunes is 'Caravan of Love' by UK 80's group The Housemartins. Sweet Honey In The Rock are also quite incredible.
__________________
"Afterwards, the universe will explode for your pleasure."
Ella is offline  
Old 01-21-2005, 02:45 AM   #26 (permalink)
Insane
 
sgn43's Avatar
 
Location: Los Angeles
I was really in to a capella for some time, and the groups I listened to the most were Rockapella, of Where In the World is Carmen San Diego? fame (whom I also saw mentioned earlier in the thread), and the Brown Derbies. I also was sent a lot of tracks by college groups that aren't nearly as famous by a friend who was also strangely obssessed with the style.


Funny that you bring this up, because I recently watched an episode of Scrubs where they had a joke involving two battling a capella groups, and it made me want to go look up some of the songs I used to listen to.
__________________
To be great is to be misunderstood. -Emerson
sgn43 is offline  
Old 01-22-2005, 07:17 PM   #27 (permalink)
Crazy
 
The Bobs came to my highschool years ago...it was some crazy stuff. The tenor guy taught me vocal percussion in between classes!
Most colleges or the towns around them have a capella groups. The University of Delaware has the Y-Chromes and the B-Sharps (sigh..) and the Deltones...that's just one college. i think a ticket is like 3 dollars too...I'm not saying come to delaware, but if there's a college near you, check it out!
Dbass is offline  
Old 02-13-2005, 05:43 PM   #28 (permalink)
Born-Again New Guy
 
TexanAvenger's Avatar
 
Location: Unfound.
Personally, I like Tigeroar from Clemson a lot. And Juxtaposition is pretty good too, though I don't think they have as much fun with it as a lot of others do.
TexanAvenger is offline  
Old 02-14-2005, 07:39 AM   #29 (permalink)
Devoted
 
Redlemon's Avatar
 
Donor
Location: New England
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dbass
The Bobs came to my highschool years ago...it was some crazy stuff. The tenor guy taught me vocal percussion in between classes!
Joe Bob Finetti has left the Bobs "for financial reasons".
Quote:
It's been pointed out to me that there is some confusion about who is now in the Bobs. (Not surprising - the Bobs have always been advocates of the art form of confusion and chaos.) So here's the (semi) official statement.

The sublimely talented Dan Bob Schumacher is now officially a Bob and will be performing all upcoming shows. We will be appearing as a quartet. We even taught Dan the secret handshake and gave him his harmonic decoder ring. ( We did ask that he stop wearing his six inch tall platform shoes....)

The equally sublimely talented Joe Bob Finetti has taken an extended leave of absence for financial reasons. He often appears with the 50's revival group - the Diamonds.

While we miss doing shows with Joe, Dan brings an exciting new spin to the group. He becomes more integrated into the blend with every gig. It's gratifying to see the group evolve, respecting our own musical tradition, yet gradually allowing the input of each new member to blossom and shape the group. We plan to record a new CD this year." - Richard Bob
__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.
Redlemon is offline  
Old 02-22-2005, 11:36 AM   #30 (permalink)
Upright
 
Location: Rochester, New York
I just love a capella music!

Especially Doo Wop and Barbershop!
__________________
Dave ©¿©¬

"Noli illigitemi carborundum decendus"
"Ego sum quis ego sum quod ut est quicumque ego sum" - Popeye
howdydave is offline  
Old 02-22-2005, 10:21 PM   #31 (permalink)
This Space For Rent
 
Location: Davenport, Iowa
I have a bit of an appreciation for it. Along with daVinci Notebook and Moxy Fruvous I haven't really been exposed to much though. But I have heard some stuff by a lot of college a cappela groups like The Brown Derbies, The Harvard Veritones, The UVA Hullabahoos, U. Penn Off The Beat, The UNC Cleffhangers, etc., etc.

Oh, and does Bobby McFerrin count?
Jadey is offline  
Old 02-23-2005, 06:27 AM   #32 (permalink)
Devoted
 
Redlemon's Avatar
 
Donor
Location: New England
Of course Bobby counts, especially his Spontaneous Inventions album (the one before he released "Don't Worry Be Happy"); on the other hand, he is in a league of his own.

Here's an opportunity to catch a quick half-hour of a cappella: Coverville, my favorite Podcast, just had an all-a cappella broadcast. MP3 available here. Track listing:
Quote:
"Jessie's Girl" - The Xtension Chords (originally Rick Springfield)
"Who's That Girl?" - The Flying Picketts (originally the Eurythmics)
"Harder Than Your Husband" - The Persuasions (originally Frank Zappa)
"Particle Man" - The Bobs (originally They Might Be Giants)
"Drive My Car" - Bobby McFerrin (originally The Beatles)
"Romeo and Juliet" - The Brown Derbies (originally Dire Straits)
"Bittersweet Symphony" - The Brown Derbies (originally The Verve)
__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.
Redlemon is offline  
Old 02-24-2005, 08:12 AM   #33 (permalink)
Tilted
 
I enjoy a capella music....you have to have quite a bit of talent to do it...you also have to practice it a lot so you can keep the part in your head....it really is harder than some people may think.
__________________
It's only after you've lost everything...that you are free to do anything
zerosk8 is offline  
 

Tags
cappella, music


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:53 PM.

Tilted Forum Project

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2
© 2002-2012 Tilted Forum Project

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62