Conference mr1pst::music

    Boys To Men *killed* me with "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye".  My band
    likes acappella stuff so much that we're covering this song...and
    we're a country band!

I think this stuff is great - it really harks back to the days of doo-wop
and soul music. I've always loved great harmony work, and some of the bands
are just *fantastic* at it! There's a lot of musical talent there......

On the downside, however, I will say that I think some of the songwriting is
weak. Some of it is pretty good, but there tends to be a couple good cuts
on each album, and then a lot of filler. The filler is easy to take, because 
the voices sound so good, but its still filler..... (and this problem isn't
limited to just these kinds of groups, I see a lot of this in heavy metal
too - a couple good songs, and then a lot of weak ones)

alan

    I also love the singing, but ballads in particular, which is the forte
    for this acapella style, really needs a good melody. Boyz 2 Men's
    ballads don't do it for me; I think "Motown Philly" is just an incredible
    single, though....also, lyrical romantic cliches tend to weaken the
    effect, too.
    
    And, what about the ladies?
    
    How about #9 on the national charts this week, those funky divas, 
    
    En Vogue?
    
    

    Not a big En Vogue fan, I respect what their doing but their album
    did nothing for me.  (I don't mind looking at em though......).
    There's a couple of new groups that seem to be trying their hand at
    this acapalla style, R KEllY and Public Anouncement, have had 3 number
    1's on the black charts but none of them have crossed over yet, 
    The Rude Boys, and Basic Black all have had hits on the black charts
    but nothing to cross over.
    
    
                                            

    Actually, this isn't acapella, as they are accompanied by instruments
    throughout; I have heard En Vogue perform without instruments on TV
    and they have great voices, without studio support.
    
    I like their first album more than the second; their music, despite
    the great vocals, tends to get too gimmick-filled. En Vogue is
    really a creation of their producers, who make all the creative
    decisions, and write most of the music.
    
    I don't know R Kelly too well, though he had a couple singles that I
    liked. He reminds me a lot of Guy's sound, and Aaron Hall. Rude Boys 
    has great vocals, too. It seems like a good time to hear really strong
    singing again.
                  

    
    I find it refreshing to see that good vocal/harmonies are making a
    comeback in this age of rappers and heavy-metal screechers. 
    Unfortunately, these groups studio releases tend to be extremely
    overproduced and overprocessed.  Some of them have even gone so far as
    to admit that flaws (flatted/sharped notes) are electronically
    pitch-adjusted to fit the harmonies.
    
    In any case, I just find it discouraging that these groups don't know
    how to blend live.  I managed to catch Boyz 2 Men, Color Me Badd and En
    Vogue in "live" situations.  Almost every time, they couldn't maintain
    their blend.  B2M had some of their parts obviously prerecording on the
    Grammys a year ago and they *still* couldn't stay in tune.  En Vogue
    during a talk show was asked to sing...... and they had to restart the
    song FIVE TIMES before they could get it right, and even after the got
    going, they were going flat everywhere!
    
    Don't get me wrong.  Each member of these groups has a great voice
    during the solos..... I just don't think they spend enough time learn
    to *blend* and *harmonize* correctly.  But, hey, it's a great start!!
    
    just my $.02
    
    brian
    
    

    Finally!  A note with music I like!
    
    I like all three bands, but the more I listen to B2M and CMB, the more
    flaws I see, and the less enthused I get about them.  Put the 2
    together, and I would say that CMB does a better live job.  This is 
    including vocals and dancing which I feel for these types of groups are
    just as important live, as the music.
    
    Jodeci is a group that caught my eye last year on the soul train awards
    and there vocals are fantastic.  But with there songs, it sometimes 
    sounds like to many voices in the mix.  The leed vocals on "I'm Still
    Waiting"  are sometimes drowned out by what should be background
    vocals.
    
    There are other groups up and coming that are exciting, as well as
    groups that have been around a little while, but improving there 
    vocal strength.  Take Hi-Five for example.  To listen to there 1st 
    cd, and now the latest, you can hear the difference.  They have really
    worked on the vocals.
    
    David
    
    

    an entire topic dedicated to accapela (sp?) and
    no mention of the Persuasions.
    
    these guys did/do real accapela.
    i caught them live on the radio from scullers or some
    place like that and they still have it.
    maybe boyz 2 men and the rest should check out some of
    the old timers.
    
    an old timer

>                        -< what about the persuasions? >-

  I believe the Persuasions were prominently mentioned in a previous
  acappella topic -- either in the archived, now unavailable MUSIC_V3, or
  over in the Blues/R&B conference (AKOFIN::AFTER_HOURS).

  I like the Persuasions album "Chirpin'".   - Jay

    check out a cd "ACAPELLA" by Todd Rundgren...all voices etc., performed
    by Todd's Voice, and "studiod", if you will, to sound like
    instruments...although there a few cuts that sound like he's got
    synth's playing, it's supposed to be all his voice
    
    Tom W. can you confirm or clarify this for us ??
    
    a beautiful CD

    Well I don't know what electronic device he used, but it's
    true all sounds on the album were his voice or hands clapping
    or fingers snapping.  You wouldn't know it to hear it, but
    once you know it it sounds all the more impressive, I think.
    One of the songs is actually performed a capella as it were -
    Honest Work.  Also, there's an all acapella album coming out
    with various artists on it, has anyone heard of that?  Rundgren
    has one song from A Capella on that album.  I'll have to go
    look up what it's called.

    
    According to Todd the only instrument he used on A Capella was an
    early E-mu Emulator (or the "crappy" Emulator as Todd called it)
    Basically the Emulator was one of the first digital sampling keyboards.
    All the samples came from Todd's mouth or other "body noises" :-)
    
    -Ed_who_saw_Todd_talk_about_this_during_Mac_Expo_in_San_Francisco
    

    Thanx Ed,
    
    "Something to Fall Back On" is the song that seems to have the most
    "synth" sounds to it....
    
    folks, if you're into vocals, and something a bit more "out there" or
    obscure, check out ACAPPELLA, it's an interesting/beautiful CD 

    Does Bobby McFerrin qualify as a cappella?  Yes, if I ever hear "Don't
    Worry, Be Happy!" again it'll be too soon, but a talented man none the
    less.
    
    Carl
    

    
    I just picked up an album called 'Modern A Cappella', on Rhino - a good
    mix ( and a good introduction, too ) of many a cappella bands - it
    includes :
    
    En Vogue, Bobby McFerrin, The Flying Pickets, Rockapella, The Mint
    Juleps, The Housemartins, Take 6, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Longhouse,
    The Nylons, The Bobs, The Persuasions, Todd Rundgren, Yes, The Bangles
    and The Roches.
    
    	Now, obviously not all of the bands/artists perform *solely* a
    cappella, but all tracks on the album are ( the Yes song is a version
    of 'Leave It' ).
    
    	I've been getting more into this stuff recently, and I'd recommend
    this compilation for anyone who's interested in hearing more 'vox
    humana' music.
    
    	Btw, does anyone know if Rockapella has any albums out?  I know
    they're the 'house band' for a kid's show on PBS, but I keep getting
    blank stares at the record shops . . .
    
    	And, yes, I know if any of us hear "Don't Worry, Be Happy!" ever
    again there will be some sort of bloodshed, but Bobby M. does an
    interesting version of James Brown's 'I Feel Good' that's worth
    listening to.
    
    					Jim

    The Persuasions - Great a capella stuff.  I think pretty much everything
    they did was this style.  Did a great song called "buffalo soldier".
    Bunch of others I can't recall right now.  

    Something about voice-only performances is very compelling to me,
    if it is well done.  Something to do with the emotion in the voices,
    probably.

    the persuasions are hot.
    i have one album they did, 'we came to play', that is
    excellent. 
    i also have a tape i did off the radio when they were
    at sculler's (used to be called the embassy suites
    hotel) a year or two ago. 
    they are a prime example of 'we still ain't got no band'
    which is the name of another of their albums ;-)
    
    willie

    Rockapella does appear on the "Carmen Sandiego" CD that came out his
    year, but there are other acts on it as well.
    
    I first saw/heard them on Spike Lee's acapella special that ran on PBS
    awhile ago (two years at least).  Their slot on the "Carmen" show has
    made them a household word to kids, anyway.  
    
    							Brian
    

     re - The Persuasions
    
    	the song they do on the compilation CD is 'Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow'
    
    	I always wondered exactly how that was spelt :-)
    
    					- Jim
    

    
  >>  I first saw/heard them on Spike Lee's acapella special that ran on PBS
  >>  awhile ago (two years at least).  

    Me too.  Still have it on tape.  "Zombie Jamboree".  That was great.
    I'd have to say Take 6 blew everybody else away though, with
    "Get Away, Jordan".  Awesome.    

    Hi!  I'm just joining this conference from Sydney Australia.  I'm an
    ex-yank just got back from a trip there for the first time in 17 years. 
    I still love it!  But Australia is great too!  We don't get much black
    (gospel, r&b or whatever) music down here.  I did buy a few CD's when I
    was there, the Winan's, Jodeci, Mavis Staples, and another I can't remember
    the name of right now of course, the CD name is Evolution a lady with a
    lovely low voice.
    
    Anyway, I haven't read much in here yet, I want to know as much as I
    can about Acappella groups in the US.  I've got 1 Honey in the Rock,
    and some local stuff.  We had a festival here earlier this year and the
    Persuasions came out for it, they were really enjoyable.
    
    Can anybody help here!
    
    Thanks a million!
    
    
    Sooz

>                                 -< ACAPPELLA >-

  See topic 295 -- some good replies there.
  
  You probably missed it because its title is spelled "ACAPELLA".  I think
  your spelling is correct though (?).  I found it with /TITLE=PELLA.

  I've been looking for the "Modern A Cappella" collection, on Rhino, that
  is recommended in that topic.   - Jay

Unless my memory is playing tricks on me, I believe most if not all material
by "The Bobs" is "a capella".

				Steve

    RE -.1
    
    	Yes, the Bobs are an ( almost ) strictly a capella group.  And they
    are *awesome* - witty, intelligent and extremely talented.  Is there a
    note about them somewhere? . . 
    
    						- Jim
    

    Jeepers Creepers!  Don't know WHAT happened to my last message...
    It seems it was answered but that answer took over my original.
    It was about Acappella.  Any more help with that please?
    
    What sort of Acappella do the Bobs do, do wop?  I asked my friend in
    the CD shop and she's never heard of them.  I can only get hold of
    their earlier stuff.  I don't want to order it unless I've got a good
    idea of what it sounds like....  And did you know that CD's cost $30
    downunder?  OUCH!!
    
    I watched the video "Leap of Faith" on the weekend, the movie was dumb
    but the music was excellent!  That gospel from Angels of Mercy.  Are
    they are REAL group?  if so, have they done any other records?
    
    Thanks in advance!
    
    
    
    Sooz 

While I was looking at Bobs CDs, I spotted a disc by "The Blenders" whose
cover sported what looked like the PMRC "Explicit Lyrics" logo but instead
said "A Capella WARNING - Contains No Instruments".

				Steve