best a capella groups

Subject: best a capella groups
From: fi_in_nz
Date: 19 Apr 06 - 03:45 PM

I love listening to good harmonisers. I thought the "best a capella folkies" thread might give me some new groups to look out for, but it's on a different topic. So, who are your favourite a capella harmony groups?

I like the Young Tradition, Witches of Elswick and I just discovered a two man band who do some of their stuff a capella called Scolds Bridle. LocTup together are also good. Looking forward to hearing who else is doing good stuff at the mo..... Cheers F

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: jimmyt
Date: 19 Apr 06 - 03:49 PM

Are you interested in just folk acapella?   I have tons of Acapella groups.SOme of my favorites are Singers Unlimited (old stuff from the 60s) Beachfront Property, The Bobs, Rockapella, Accoustix, occasionally Manhattin Transfer, Glad, well, I will stop here. Oh, I forgot to mention one of my favorite groups named DaVinci's Notebook that does comedy Acapella.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 19 Apr 06 - 04:15 PM

I also mentioned this in the other acapella thread, but check out the Watersons or Waterson/Carthy.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: RTim
Date: 19 Apr 06 - 04:43 PM

I would say - Finest Kind from Canada - Look out for them in England during June; you won't be disappointed.
see - www.ianrobb.com for tour details.

Tim R

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 01:52 AM

Although now disbanded (after 20 yrs) I stongly reccommend Artisan

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: s&r
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 02:46 AM

Scolds Bridle are great, but very female for a two man group.

Wilsons, Tanglefoot, Shellback Chorus.

Stu

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 03:13 AM

Swan Arcade, Coope, Boyes and Simpson

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Splott Man
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 03:33 AM

Lynne Herauld & Pat Turner, Dangerous Curves. Years ago Isca Fayre and Arky's Toast.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Splott Man
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 07:29 AM

Grace Notes

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Mo the caller
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 07:47 AM

The Waite Collective ( ginger haired mother & daughters from Cheshire)

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 08:41 AM

Oak, Ash and Thorn!!! (including our own Daverino Swanno)

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 08:51 AM

Yep, Lynne Heraufd/Pat Turner, gotta be good for me ...

I've got a Cassette of "Sisters Unlimited" - they do a GREAT
version of the shanty ;

"child Birth's no bed of Rosies - Bear Down"" Hilarious

Jo-Jo
([e-mail])

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 10:28 AM

A couple of friends of mine are in a group called the Paradigm Vocal Ensemble from the Dallas and Fort Worth area in Texas. I hadn't heard their work until one of the guys was burning and printing CDs for sale at the print shop where I do a lot of business. He gave me a CD and I was blown away by the beauty of their singing. I think there are links to several complete songs from their web site.

http://www.paradigmvocalensemble.org/index.php

SRS

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: GUEST,Bobcat
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 10:58 AM

And way back The English Tapestry......Love the Wilsons and Coope Boyes and Simpson. and more recently The witches of Elswick   and Devil's interval

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: pavane
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 11:04 AM

I vote for Young Tradition, already mentioned at the start.

Peter Bellamy, of YT, also did some similar songs on his Kipling albums, with his wife and (brother-in-law) Chris Birch.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 11:40 AM

If you're interested in but not terribly knowledgable anout folk a capella groups, Fellside has a wonderful sampler called "Voices in Harmony" that can let you hear a whole lot of them. And don't forget
Craig, Robson and Morgan (who seem to be performing as "Reiver's Divas"
and Cockersdale.
Good stuff. (available at CAMSCO, of course)

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Trevor
Date: 20 Apr 06 - 11:47 AM

Have a listen to Rapsquillion, if you get a chance, for an eclectic approach to traditional music.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: the one
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 07:56 AM

thease girls dont dust, without sue

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Saro
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 09:39 AM

As both Craig Morgan Robson and Finest Kind have been mentioned on this thread, I'll take the opportunity to let you know that both groups will be in concert in Winchester (that's Hampshire, UK!) on Monday 12th June. It'll be FK's only appearance in the South of England as far as I know. Send me a PM if you want more information.
Best wishes
Sarah

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: MARINER
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 02:37 PM

The Voice Squad and The Persuasions

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: fi_in_nz
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 05:57 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. Finest Kind are playing near us with Coope Boyes and Simpson, or even nearer on their own so I'll have to try and get to hear them. Forgot to mention the Silly Sisters at the top - surprised they haven't been mentioned in the thread.
Someone mentioned the Shellbacks, and of course any shanty singing has great harmony potential and the best thing of all is that it's participatory. My fave shanty group is the Maritime Crew from Auckland, NZ they regularly play in the maritime museum there if anyone happens to be down that way ;-) F

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Artful Codger
Date: 21 Apr 06 - 11:09 PM

Aren't there two p's in "a cappella"? That's how my ancient Webster's lists it.

My trad folk faves have already been mentioned (and good on ya for finally mentioning the Silly Sisters albums). So I'll take the opportunity to list a few a cappella notables a bit farther afield:

Uncle Bonsai, an acoustic trio that escapes description, though "sardonic" would have to be in there somewhere. Their harmonies were tight and unconventional, and they could sing a patter song like Gilbert and Sullivan on speed.

The Blenders, a fantastic doo-wop group out of Minnesota. Kinda like Rockapella meets The Bobs.

The first two albums by Take Six (gospel/jazz). This is jaw-dropping a cappella singing.

Todd Rundgren's A Cappella--he sang everything on the record, including the "instruments". True to his chameleonic talents, the styles run the gamut, including a song in the traditional English folk idiom, sung mostly as a vocal solo.

At the other end of the spectrum, David Hykes harmonized with himself in the literal sense, by producing distinct harmonic overtones. He also put together a "harmonic choir"--an eerie listening experience.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 01:17 PM

take6

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Artful Codger
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 09:58 PM

biteme

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 02:51 AM

The King's Singers: not directly a folk group, but singing some folk, too, mostly by classical composers, if I remember right. Their Renaissance madrigals are a revelation.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 03:54 AM

Young Tradition were the definition of the genre of unaccompanied English folk harmony. Watersons damn fine too.

More recently Jinx's Stack (a bit barber-shopy at times) - now I think re-formed and back with us.

But why has no-one mentioned Capella (yes spelt that way, which actually is another name for a she-goat)? They have a smashing sound with the male voice above the female - and Tony has recently been postinghere as Cap-or-ella.

And of course there was Ramskyte - a wall of sound with 5 part harmony.

And Joe Stead's new band, Kimber's Men, aren't they unaccompanied?

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 04:30 AM

Yes, the King's Singers have to be the absolute top, the standard everyone else is judged by.

Do duos count? If so, and despite the fact that they are not English (but they started making their name with their first English tour, and are in the UK at least 3 months a year) CLOUDSTREET.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: pavane
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 09:45 AM

Ever come across a group called Porterhouse, from Wales?
Only made 1 album, as far as I know

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: GUEST,ifor
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 04:07 PM

Porterhouse were a wonderful band based around the Vale of Glamorgan in the very early 1970s.Their female singer Stef now lives in Swansea and is still singing in a local choir. One of the other male singers is now sadly deceased.
Coope Boyce and Simpson are fine singers and can often be seen at Sidmouth in early August.
Ifor

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 28 Apr 06 - 12:01 PM

NexTradition

Persuasions

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Fliss
Date: 28 Apr 06 - 06:18 PM

Cuckoo Oak - ace group from Shropshire. PAt, Dawn, Pete and Mike.
fliss

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Apr 06 - 08:30 PM

PEDANT ALERT !!!!!

Strictly speaking , A Cappella means In The style of The Chapel - Or Church Music doesnt it ? So an unaccompanied Folk Group MAY well be singing A cappella and maybe not !!

But I will still put another plug in for C M R -(Craig Morgan Robson )
especially as two of them are Mudcat members - Why isnt Carolyn a Catter ??

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Al
Date: 28 Apr 06 - 11:56 PM

Me I like THE BOBS. Of course, I might be prejudiced, because Mattew Bob is an old friend who used to give me singing telegrams for my birthday dressed in his National Onion monkey suit.
Al

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Richard Brandenburg
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 01:58 AM

The Golden Gate Quartet.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: woodsie
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 07:58 AM

Yes, I agree with Richard. Capella are a wonderful duo and are unusual 'cos the female has the bass/tenor voice and the male tenor/alto. They can be found gigging at folk events throughout Kent and the South East.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Betsy
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 08:50 AM

Come on !!!! - 5 Brothers and their sister - The WILSON FAMILY - brilliant.

Cheers Betsy

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: John Hardly
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 10:07 AM

WETBLANKET ON THE PEDANT ALERT!!!!

Definition number one in most dictionaries (I can't even believe that I am going to bring a dictionary into this discussion after dissing the practice in M.Ted's thread) is "without instrumental accompaniment". Definition number 2 is "in the style of church or chapel music".

Don't worry though, Leadfingers. We all still think you're the cat's. Even if you are wrong -- this is the first time I ever remember that actually being the case.

My favorite acapella groups...

Nashville Bluegrass Band
Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver
Front Range
(and like JimmyT mentioned) Manhattan Transfer

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 11:25 AM

Thanks, John. You saved me a trip to Webster's myself. :)

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Artful Codger
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 06:46 AM

Another pedant alert:

The Manhattan Transfer did very few songs a cappella. Their a cappella counterpart would be Singers Unlimited, whom they were undoubtedly modeling, and in fact most of MT's a cappella numbers were Gene Puerling arrangements.

Groups like The King's Singers and Chanticleer are certainly accomplished, but once you get into primarily classical groups, you're in a realm that doesn't quite fit the implicit limits of this venue, and one could list a plethora of equally accomplished groups in that realm.   For classical and Renaissance music, they can't be faulted, but their arrangements of folk and popular material are so drenched in "high art" and cutesy touches that you need to keep insulin handy. In my opinion, a "best" group rarely puts out an album you mostly cringe through.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: sharyn
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 12:16 PM

Swan Arcade. Regal Slip. Out of the Rain (a now defunct California band -- PM radriano for details). Bryony. Beggar's Velvet. Finest Kind -- this can't be said often enough -- they are tops -- but so was Out of the Rain. Cindy Kallet put out a couple of good harmony albums with Ellen Epstein and Michael Somebody-or-Other: "Only Human" and "Angels in Daring" with some a capella cuts. Janet Russell and Christine Kydd made a couple of good duet albums, too.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Northerner
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 01:28 PM

Another website slant on it.

"A Capella?
Some musical dictionaries indicate the Italian a cappella is preferred over the Latin a capella (one "p") yet both are technically correct. Why do those dictionaries muddy the waters with two spellings?

The phrase was first used in Italian Catholic churches, where Latin was the language for sacred text. Thus, the Latin spelling for 'in the style of the chapel' - a capella - has some historical basis. However, most other musical terms - forte, accelerando, and many others - are Italian in origin. Since the Italian spelling is more consistent with other musical terms, it has been used more frequently."

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Forsh
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 02:11 PM

RUMBYLOWE! (well I would say that, wouldn't I?) Only one Album as all you Aussies know, and wot about Beltane? :) Yeah!

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 01 May 06 - 10:27 AM

How about Ladysmith Black Mombazo? It doesn't get more a cappella than that.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: GUEST,Rattler
Date: 01 May 06 - 06:29 PM

As RB mentioned earlier, Capella are a little recognised treasure in the UK. Hear them!

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 01 May 06 - 06:55 PM

Going back a bit, Valley Folk, Songwainers, Threadbare Consort, Dead Sea Surfers, Folly Bridge, Top Shelf....

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: jimmyt
Date: 01 May 06 - 07:08 PM

Singers Unlimited is probably the consumate unaccompanied group albiet they NEVER did concerts but were only studio jingle singers who got together, basically sightread the stuff and cut records in a take or two back in the sixties.

A couple points of interest are Gene Puerling rarely ever changed a single note in his arrangements once written. The lady singer rarely spent more than a day or so reading over the music before the final take and has frequently said later that she doesn't even remember recording the songs much less singing them. They sound almost brand new to her years later. Incredible musicians. I agree with the Blenders being outstanding but ya gotta hear Beachfront Property before ya decide on the best Acapella! jimmyt

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 01 May 06 - 08:12 PM

BTW... "The Flying Pickets"


http://www.pickets.co.uk/index2.htm


oh.. and i reckon the "Beach Boys" deserve an honourary mention

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 01 May 06 - 08:45 PM

Peta Webb and Ken Hall are tremendous harmonisers -their version of I Am Stretched on Your Grave is electrifying (As Close As Can Be Fellside FECD155) Their CD also contains some very good unison singing which is a type of group a capella singing that I often prefer to harmony singing. Will Duke and Dan Quinn are another duet who sing really well in unison.

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: GUEST,saulgoldie
Date: 01 May 06 - 09:04 PM

Bummer about Artisan splitting. Anyone know the inside dope? And are there any CDs available for DaVinci's Notebook? I meant to go hear them, and the next I knew they weren't performing anymore. Oh phooey!

Subject: RE: best a capella groups
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 01 May 06 - 10:52 PM

Early Mills Brothers.

Seamus