We're of the almost certainly biased opinion that the Harmony Sweeps Finals are the best a cappella shows in the world. Imagine 8 groups, who have come in first in Regional competition with 10 other groups in places like New York, Boston, the Bay Area, Chicago and LA, performing before a packed auditorium in San Rafael, CA for 12 minutes each, for the coveted National Championship. Each year outdoes the last, and "electric" doesn't do justice to the 2003 Finals. There are 18 songs on the CD, two from each group and two from '02 Champs, and very funny hosts, LA's Perfect Gentlemen, "Gimme Some Skin" and the guitar accompanied (!) "Meanest Thing You Ever Did Was Kiss Me." The Bay Area's hilarious Moosebutter brings us "Psycho, The Musical," winner of "Best Original Song" (lyrics), and their trademark parody, "Star Wars," part of a set that won them 2nd place honors. The Pacific NW's Second Chance contribute a funky "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and the very funny beach song parody "Sand Down My Pants." LA's Undivided Musical Group sing "Amarte Mas" and nail Ward Swingle's arrangement of "Mission Impossible Theme." Boston's All About Buford do wonderful covers of the Gershwins' "Summertime" and Rodgers & Hart's "My Funny Valentine." Chicago's Nightwatch sing two songs from their infamous "Diner Set" (complete with ballistic donut), "Truck Drivin' Man" and "Yes Sir, That's My Baby," and New York's very smooth Cadence covers "Straighten Up and Fly Right" and "Tempted' beautifully. Denver's Groove Society gets the crowd up and rocking with "You're No Good" and the classic "Listen to the Music." Unbelievably, as good as all these groups were, the best was saved for last, Mid-Atlantic winner Idea of North from Australia, who shine on "Mas Que Nada" (which won the David Lichtman Award for Best Arrangement) and Randy Newman's heart-tugging "When She Loved Me." Idea of North got the nod from the judges, and won Audience Favorite, while Moosebutter and Cadence placed 2nd and 3rd. A chorus of "Goodnight Sweetheart" later we were all walking out of beautiful Marin Veterans Auditorium, not believing how good a show we had just seen and heard! |
