June 11, 2008

Vocal Point - Nonstop

Formed by two BYU students in 1991 in the traditional college glee club format, 9-man Vocal Point discovered a huge interest in their high-energy, wonderfully-arranged covers. "Nonstop" features recordings by 3 different configurations of the group, 2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. Photos of those groups are in the full-color liner notes, where founders Bob Ahlander and Dave Boyce also describe watching their creation win the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella at the Lincoln Center in NYC in April of 2006, an inspiring and moving story. The 16 high-energy cuts begin with a rousing a cappella rendition of the THX/20th Century Fox fanfare, "Spider-Man Theme," Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," Louis Prima's "Sing, Sing, Sing," a very fine "Sunshine Medley" ("Walkin' on Sunshine," "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Let the Sunshine In"), Robert Allen and Al Stillman's 50s harmonic gem "No Not Much," Marc Broussard's Southern-fried foot-stomper "Home," Garth Brooks' beautiful, touching "When You Come Back to Me Again," Michael Jackson's "Thriller," and the final cut, traditional hymn "Nearer My God to Thee." Solid vocal percussion, fine arranging, strong harmonies, powerful leads (especially Michael Buble on "Home")--it all adds up to great entertainment from one of our favorite collegiate ensembles! 1775 CD 14.95
Listen to "Sing, Sing, Sing

Posted by acapnews at 12:04 AM

June 6, 2008

Mickey Rapkin - Pitch Perfect: The Quest For Collegiate A Cappella Glory

In Pitch Perfect, GQ editor Mickey Rapkin follows a season in collegiate a cappella through all its twists and turns, covering the displays of vocal talent, the groupies (yes, a cappella singers have groupies), the rockstar partying (and run-ins with the law), and all the bitter rivalries. Along the way are encounters with boldfaced names such as President George W. Bush, Prince, David Letterman, Barack Obama, Barbra Streisand, Hillary Clinton, Marisa Tomei, Amanda Bynes, Nick Lachey, Merv Griffin, Jim Carrey, Microsoftas Paul Allen, John Legend, and Jessica Biel. At the heart of the narrative are three a cappella groups whose interactions are anything but harmonious: the historic Tufts Beelzebubs, founded more than forty years ago with 40,000 albums sold since and struggling to record a new album that lives up to the hype; Divisi of the University of Oregon, a relatively new, all-female group attempting to overcome a loss in the 2005 championship; and the University of Virginia Hullabahoos, the so-called bad boys of collegiate a cappella, who will attempt to compete on a higher level this year while retaining their casual soul. Bringing a lively new twist to Americaas fascination with talent showdowns and peerless performers, Pitch Perfect is sure to strike a chord with readers. 6843 BOOK 24.95

Posted by acapnews at 12:44 AM