TTBB Div A Cappella

Songlist: This Christmas Day, Merry Christmas, Darling, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Silver Bells, Christmas Without You

In the spring of 1991, a new beat arrived in the fledgling world of modern a cappella - a beat in the form of Scott Leonard. Beyond the initial impact and power of his performances on stage and on reordings, he brought arrangements full of groove and heart. Unfamiliar with the growing "cult" of a cappella, his arrangements arrived influenced by the R&B-flavored pop of his Stevie Wonder-rich childhood, and a love for vocal groups of the past from the Mills Brothers to Bread to the Jackson Five. From the first bar of his first arrangement for Rockapella, 'Bed of Nails,' he brought a different approach. Since that first arrangement, Scott has arranged 100+ originals and covers for Rockapella. Here, finally, is an attempt to scratch the surface!

Songlist: Dance With Me, Have A Little Faith, Here Comes The Sun, I'll Hear Your Voice, Moments of You

Rockapella : 2   

The release of a new Rockapella CD is an event, a happening, a momentous occasion! Riding high with the excitement generated from their Folger's commercials, these five gifted performers have readied a bumper crop of originals, and included their signature jingles as well. As the most popular and professional of contemporary a cappella groups, Rockapella's sound is readily identifiable, completely polished, and ever buoyant. Produced by Scott Leonard, who wrote or co-wrote most of the songs, each track will feel immediately familiar, due to the consistency of the Rockapella style. Whether the Latin groove of "Doorman Of My Heart," the classically pretty melody of "People Change" or the upbeat "This Isn't Love," the arrangements are saturated with thick harmonies, a luxuriant backdrop that, along with the pulse of vocal percussionist Jeff Thacher, are the quintet's trademark. "Tempted," the sultry rock/soul hit made famous by the English group Squeeze, is the CD's only cover, and it's an outstanding choice. Rockapella is bringing a cappella into the mainstream, and "2" can only further their reputation.

Songlist: That's The Way, People Change, Tempted, This Isn't Love, Is It In You?, Doorman Of My Heart, Bring Some Love, Where Would We Be?, One Day After Day, All That Comes To Mind, Blah Blah Blah, This Isn't Love (strut remix), This Isn't Love (slowgroove remix)

Rockapella : A Rockapella Holiday   

The perfect gift to us from "America's Leading A Cappella Group, "A Rockapella Holiday" has arrived just in time for Christmas, and we think we saw a fat dude with a white beard joining in with this legendary all-male a cappella quintet, singing bass! The CD follows the critically acclaimed "Bang" as their 14th soulful release, and it features 12 wonderfully arranged cuts that stay true to their trademark Contemporary sound, which melds soul, rock and r&b. Some favorites are "Angels We Have Heard on High," a very silly "Christmas Don't Be Late (The Chipmunk Song)," "I Have a Little Dreidel," "Matunda Ya Kwanzaa," "Jingle Bell Rock," "Ukranian Carol," "Little Drummer Boy," "Christmas Altogether," the very politically correct "Happy Christmas-Hanu-Kwanzaa Holiday," and the heart-tugging "Auld Lang Syne.;" but every song is a stone winner. Arranger and high tenor Jeff Thacher feels the album "finally captured the spirit of our live holiday concerts, from the edge to the warmth to the fun." Rockapella's feeling of wonder at the holidays comes through bigtime in "A Rockapella Holiday," so don't forget to open this very special musical gift from one of our longtime favorite groups!

Songlist: Auld Lang Syne, Angels We Have Heard On High, Christmas Altogether, Christmas Don't Be Late (The Chipmunk Song), I Have a Little Dreidel, Jingle Bell Rock, Happy Christma-Hanu-Kwanzaa Holiday, Matunda Ya Kwanzaa, Little Drummer Boy, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Ukranian Christmas Carol, Wonderful Christmastime

At last, a collection of mostly new tunes from prolific Contemporary a cappella pioneer, and one of our long-time favorites, Rockapella, swathed in sizzling cool James Bondish graphics by group member Jeff Thacher, who also produced "Bang." New member Steven Dorian joins the all male quintet, taking the place of Kevin Wright. 14 cuts: the fast paced title tune has a funny nod to "Shaft" and sets the table for this very hot album, "Hard Time" has a Dylanesque "get lost" attitude and a driving beat, "Nothin' But" is a classic r&b-type tune that features George Baldi making us believe with his killer bass, joined by John K. Brown's smooth tenor, "Tonight" finally includes on a recording this overtly risque song that the group has used to open their live shows, "Shemibos" is a driving, rhythmic dance gem with John doing a smoking lead, "Malibu Grand-Prix" is a fast-moving ode to the Beach Boys, with the patented Rockapella sense of humor and vocal faux motors revving, "Too Much" is another "get up and dance" winner with a husky lead by John, "Babygirl" again features George's sweet chocolaty bass and is so very fine, "The Shortest Path" is a yummy ballad with another great lead by John, "No Pressure" is an awesome audio-manipulated dance tune anchored by George's creamy bass, and bonus track "A-Punk" originally was released by Vampire Weekend and is simply delicious! Three songs that were first recorded on the album "1man1mike," "4u4now4life," "Tell Me What You Want" and "California Sad Eyed Girl"--all are better versions on "Bang," and all are excellent. Bottom line? "Bang" is one of the best of the year by one of a cappella's elite groups who just keep getting more amazing-don't miss this one!

Songlist: Bang, Hard Time, 4U4Now4Life, Tell Me What You Want, Nuthin' But, California Sad-Eyed Girl, Tonight, Shemibos, Malibu Grand-Prix, Too Much, Babygirl, The Shortest Path, No Pressure, A-Punk

Rockapella : Christmas   

One of our most favorite groups (who don't need any introduction, we're sure) graces this holiday season with a dozen songs which cover the entire spectrum of aural moods from past to present. Opening with a sweetly lilting "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" which captures the traditional spirit with only a touch of Rockapellan embellishment we proceed to a Thatcherized (clever light vocal percussion), upbeat, Scott Leonard song which has one wondering just which year it became a big hit. It did, didn't it? It must have, it just sounds so familiar. We immediately are segued into an almost vaudevillian "Glow Worm/It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" medley. Through beautiful tradition and several of Scott Leonard's original compositions our heart strings are plucked to a fare-the-well. At the end of this grand recording we have Scott's "Hold Out for Christmas" which has only been released prior to this CD on one of the Rockapella Japanese imports. Then are sent off with our harmony hats in hand by Barry Carl's unbelievable bass and Jeff Thatchers pyrotechnics on "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch." This seasonal recording will add a sparkle of joy to your holiday.

Songlist: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, The Hope We Hold, Glow Worm / It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas, Silver Bells, Christmas Without You, Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Winter Wonderland, The Christmas Song, White Christmas, Hold Out For Christmas, You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch

From the first notes of "Little Mary Snowflake," as the Rockapella sound washes over our eager ears, we notice a subtle change that becomes much more obvious in the next cut, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." There's a new member of the group, George Baldi (replacing Barry Carl) who sings a growly-mean deep bass on a tight scat-percussion solo. Next comes a couple of new songs, the sweet, romantic "Merry Christmas Darling" and "Love and the Lights." George sings a delicious Crosby-esque lead on the classic "I'll Be Home For Christmas." Then another fresh new Christmas song with some soaring Rockapella blends, "This Christmas Day." One of our favorites, "There's No Place Like Home For the Holidays," is sung as a jazzy, doo-woppy thing with a vocal Salvation Army band solo. "Please Come Home For Christmas," a soulful bluesy lament, features George's hilarious Elvis "romantic mumbling" parody. An upbeat, moving "Rock Around The Christmas Tree" has some surprising harmonic whistling. A driving "Snow Star," another sweet new song, "Peace on Earth," and finally "It's A Small World" is Rockapellized, with sampling, vocal percussion and that sublime, soaring trademark harmony. We loved Rockapella's first Christmas CD, and we love "Comfort!"

Songlist: Little Mary Snowflake, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Merry Christmas, Darling, Love & The Lights, I'll Be Home For Christmas, This Christmas Day, Home For the Holidays, Please Come Home For Christmas, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, Snowstar, Peace On Earth, It's A Small World After All

Tight. Exciting. Explosive. This is Rockapella, circa 1999: the freshest, most contemporary vocal band sound ever, and new tracks: "Hold Out For Christmas," and "Moments of You," (the latter song never before released in the U.S.) . The remaining songs were on their "Rockapella" self-titled CD, but have been given a new sheen and a boost in production values. Featuring the charismatic presence of Scott Leonard and the fiery vocal percussion of Jeff Thacher-providing the current that throws the switch on the Rockapella sound-the group has melded into a force that is undeniable. Their popularity owes much to solid songwriting: classic harmonic progressions that are new, yet familar at the same time, and arrangements that saturate the ear, as in "So Much Better," "I'll Hear Your Voice" and "I Am Your Man." Rockapella's notes stack up in perfect formation, creating a Spectoresque "wall-of-sound"; this precision, where each note is crafted and placed, performing its specific role in relation to the other, creates a brilliance of tone that soaks right into the skin. To listen to Rockapella is to be converted to their musical message, which has been impressing listeners throughout the world since they sprung to fame on the PBS children's program, "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" We have consistently included them in our Hall of Fame; this new song, from their current CD is a mixture of old and new material. We are most definitely the converted! Their many live radio appearances-Rockapella are favored guests of the "Mark and Brian" show on KLOS, and the "Scott and Todd" program on WPLJ-have created a demand that is unheard of in a cappella, and is threatening to break free of earth's gravity. Don't miss this one!

Songlist: Moments Of You, So Much Better, Don't Tell Me You Do, I Am Your Man, I'll Hear Your Voice, Have a Little Faith, A Change in My Life, Song 9, Why, On the Last Night, Ellie My Love, Lift Up

How does an a cappella legend sound? Judging by Rockapella's "Motown & More," more sweet, tight, soulful and rockin' than ever! Having grown up 50 miles from the Motor City, this reviewer was weaned on the Motown sound, which dominated the top 40 airwaves with wonderful artists like the Temptations, the Supremes, the Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder. So here come the hits on "Motown & More," and they are to the original tunes like little Michael Jackson was to himself on "Thriller." Tight Vocal Percussion replaces drum sets, of course, but Scott Leonard's arrangements of standards like "Brick House," "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone," "(Stop) The Love You Save," "My Cherie Amour," "Dancing In The Street," "Use Ta Be My Girl," "My Girl," "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" and "Just My Imagination" (which segues smoothly into a sample of John Lennon's 'Imagine'), is the "& More" here! Let's be frank, Scott, Jeff, George, John & Steven could sing rings around most of the early Motown vocalists, and we're hearing exactly how amazing so-called "covers" can be, when re-invented by one of our favorite, and still one of the premier a cappella bands in the world, Rockapella. We loved this album from start to finish, especially because we have loved Motown ever since we were big enough to reach the faux-chrome radio knob on our '64 Comet. Great stuff!

Songlist: Blame It On The Boogie, Brick House, Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, (Stop) That Love You Save, Dancing Machine, Pretty Much You, My Cherie Amour, Dancing in the Street, Use Ta Be My Girl, My Girl, Ain't To Proud to Beg, Just My Imagination

Rockapella : Smilin'   

The title says it all - this is a cheerful and buoyant CD, one that speaks to the simple pleasures of summer. As chief writer Scott Leonard says in "Smile In My Heart": "no more dark days, only summer always." Rockapella's polished harmonies and solidly-crafted arrangements have always conveyed a fundamental stability - no unexpected dissonance, no gratuitous notes or an intonation falling short. Here, with the addition of new bass vocalist George Baldi, who takes over for the much loved Barry Carl (the two share the bass registers on this CD), the band consolidates their quintessential American appeal with songs such as "Shambala," "Dance With Me," "Summertime Blues" and "Surfin' Safari." Two slower numbers, "Lazy River" and Elliott Kerman's "No Doubt At All," conjure up reminiscences of lazy hot evenings, the relaxed swing feel a gentle reminder of generations past. So leave your cares behind with Rockapella and smile!

Songlist: Shambala, Flamingo Sing, Here Comes The Sun, Off My Mind, Summertime Blues, Lazy River, Smile in my Heart, Dance with Me, No Doubt at All, Millennial Lady, Jenny Come Away, Surfin' Safari

Recorded by the Kingston Trio and Rockapella, this spooky classic is a great novelty change of pace that is perfect for show and pop groups alike.Available separately: SATB, SAB and 2-Part. Instrumental ePak includes parts for Trumpet 1, 2, Tenor Sax, Trombone, Guitar (nylon string), Bass and Drums. ShowTrax CD also available. Performance Time: Approx. 3:50