19 Apr 06 - 03:45 PM (#1722076) Subject: best a capella groups From: fi_in_nz 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 |
19 Apr 06 - 03:49 PM (#1722083) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: jimmyt 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. |
19 Apr 06 - 04:15 PM (#1722135) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,Jim I also mentioned this in the other acapella thread, but check out the Watersons or Waterson/Carthy. |
19 Apr 06 - 04:43 PM (#1722172) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: RTim 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 |
20 Apr 06 - 01:52 AM (#1722518) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Jeremiah McCaw Although now disbanded (after 20 yrs) I stongly reccommend Artisan |
20 Apr 06 - 02:46 AM (#1722535) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: s&r Scolds Bridle are great, but very female for a two man group. Wilsons, Tanglefoot, Shellback Chorus. Stu |
20 Apr 06 - 03:13 AM (#1722539) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Les in Chorlton Swan Arcade, Coope, Boyes and Simpson |
20 Apr 06 - 03:33 AM (#1722549) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Splott Man Lynne Herauld & Pat Turner, Dangerous Curves. Years ago Isca Fayre and Arky's Toast. |
20 Apr 06 - 07:29 AM (#1722664) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Splott Man Grace Notes |
20 Apr 06 - 07:47 AM (#1722669) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Mo the caller The Waite Collective ( ginger haired mother & daughters from Cheshire) |
20 Apr 06 - 08:41 AM (#1722694) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Peter T. Oak, Ash and Thorn!!! (including our own Daverino Swanno) yours, Peter T. |
20 Apr 06 - 08:51 AM (#1722698) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: jojofolkagogo 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 (jojofolkagogo@yahoo.com) |
20 Apr 06 - 10:28 AM (#1722772) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Stilly River Sage 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 |
20 Apr 06 - 10:58 AM (#1722802) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,Bobcat 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 |
20 Apr 06 - 11:04 AM (#1722807) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: pavane 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. |
20 Apr 06 - 11:40 AM (#1722857) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: dick greenhaus 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) |
20 Apr 06 - 11:47 AM (#1722865) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Trevor Have a listen to Rapsquillion, if you get a chance, for an eclectic approach to traditional music. |
21 Apr 06 - 07:56 AM (#1723654) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: the one thease girls dont dust, without sue |
21 Apr 06 - 09:39 AM (#1723737) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Saro 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 |
21 Apr 06 - 02:37 PM (#1724022) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: MARINER The Voice Squad and The Persuasions |
21 Apr 06 - 05:57 PM (#1724187) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: fi_in_nz 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 |
21 Apr 06 - 11:09 PM (#1724395) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Artful Codger 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. |
26 Apr 06 - 01:17 PM (#1728039) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST take6 |
26 Apr 06 - 09:58 PM (#1728444) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Artful Codger biteme |
27 Apr 06 - 02:51 AM (#1728552) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Wilfried Schaum 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. |
27 Apr 06 - 03:54 AM (#1728583) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Richard Bridge 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? |
27 Apr 06 - 04:30 AM (#1728592) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: George Papavgeris 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. |
27 Apr 06 - 09:45 AM (#1728737) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: pavane Ever come across a group called Porterhouse, from Wales? Only made 1 album, as far as I know |
27 Apr 06 - 04:07 PM (#1729061) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,ifor 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 |
28 Apr 06 - 12:01 PM (#1729223) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Elmer Fudd NexTradition Persuasions |
28 Apr 06 - 06:18 PM (#1729524) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Fliss Cuckoo Oak - ace group from Shropshire. PAt, Dawn, Pete and Mike. fliss |
28 Apr 06 - 08:30 PM (#1729593) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Leadfingers 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 ?? |
28 Apr 06 - 11:56 PM (#1729732) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Al 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 |
29 Apr 06 - 01:58 AM (#1729768) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Richard Brandenburg The Golden Gate Quartet. |
29 Apr 06 - 07:58 AM (#1729844) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: woodsie 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. |
29 Apr 06 - 08:50 AM (#1729862) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Betsy Come on !!!! - 5 Brothers and their sister - The WILSON FAMILY - brilliant. Cheers Betsy |
29 Apr 06 - 10:07 AM (#1729907) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: John Hardly 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 |
29 Apr 06 - 11:25 AM (#1729958) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Stilly River Sage Thanks, John. You saved me a trip to Webster's myself. :) |
30 Apr 06 - 06:46 AM (#1730425) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Artful Codger 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. |
30 Apr 06 - 12:16 PM (#1730558) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: sharyn 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. |
30 Apr 06 - 01:28 PM (#1730611) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Northerner 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." |
30 Apr 06 - 02:11 PM (#1730641) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Forsh RUMBYLOWE! (well I would say that, wouldn't I?) Only one Album as all you Aussies know, and wot about Beltane? :) Yeah! |
01 May 06 - 10:27 AM (#1731231) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Big Jim from Jackson How about Ladysmith Black Mombazo? It doesn't get more a cappella than that. |
01 May 06 - 06:29 PM (#1731521) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,Rattler As RB mentioned earlier, Capella are a little recognised treasure in the UK. Hear them! |
01 May 06 - 06:55 PM (#1731543) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Herga Kitty Going back a bit, Valley Folk, Songwainers, Threadbare Consort, Dead Sea Surfers, Folly Bridge, Top Shelf.... |
01 May 06 - 07:08 PM (#1731547) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: jimmyt 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 |
01 May 06 - 08:12 PM (#1731594) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker BTW... "The Flying Pickets" http://www.pickets.co.uk/index2.htm oh.. and i reckon the "Beach Boys" deserve an honourary mention |
01 May 06 - 08:45 PM (#1731632) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GeoffLawes 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. |
01 May 06 - 09:04 PM (#1731647) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,saulgoldie 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! |
01 May 06 - 10:52 PM (#1731724) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Seamus Kennedy Early Mills Brothers. Seamus |
02 May 06 - 02:40 AM (#1731834) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: The Barden of England Richard Bridge, Woodsie and others are spot on - Capella should be seen and heard far more often than they are, and if they're in your neck of the woods miss them at your peril. John Barden |
02 May 06 - 03:42 AM (#1731857) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: treewind There's not much "inside dope" about Artisan's split. They'd been doing it for about twenty years and doubtless needed a change. Hilary has been getting very busy with Quicksilver (duo with Grant Baynham), Jacey and Brian have formed The Brian Bedford Band and life goes on. Not much "a cap(p)ella" about either of the new groupings though. The BBB has lots of instruments! Anahata |
02 May 06 - 08:20 AM (#1731965) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,Sooz (at work) The Swingle Singers got me interested in the 1960's, long before I heard my current favourites (Artisan, Cockersdale and Coope Boyes and Simpson.)Mind you, we get some pretty amazing harmonies at Gainsborough Folk Club, particularly when Bod Cleveland sings a Keith Marsden song! |
02 May 06 - 12:33 PM (#1732173) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,Arthur Itic Moxy Fruvous should be mentioned here and there's a cracking Aussie band called Akasa that are quite special too. I'm sure they are both websited up if you care to investigate. |
03 May 06 - 11:54 AM (#1732914) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Peterr When did peolpe start using 'a capella' (never mind how many ps)? We used to call it unaccompanied. |
03 May 06 - 12:37 PM (#1732936) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Northerner I still describe myself as singing songs unaccomapanied. Of course, when I went to some singing lessons in the autumn my singing would have been described as a capella. Surely, the traditional singers would not have used the expression a capella? |
03 May 06 - 12:48 PM (#1732942) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Hopfolk The Copper family is worth a mention as they both harmonise and also sing "Straight". If you're interested, there's a wealth of material on topic record's "Voice of the people" series - though some of the songs come across a little impaired by the age of the singers. Still, it's the songs isn't it? :-) There's a compilation called "Voices in Harmony" which you MUST GET as it has tracks by many of the people mentioned on this thread. Cheers - Keep on singin'. CamoJohn |
03 May 06 - 12:56 PM (#1732952) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: fi_in_nz I used "a capella" (sp????? ;-) because I started singing in classical and chapel (hence possibly my spelling of it too (narh, that's just an excuse)) choirs and madrigals etc. Now I'm singing trad I must be singing unaccompanied...... will try to remember for next time. F |
15 Jul 07 - 07:05 PM (#2103674) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,Karen Porterhouse were probably the best a capella group that I,ve ever had the privilege of seeing. They were also really nice people. Robin unfortunately is no is no longer with us. He was the main force behind the group. He was the musical arranger and also very good looking. |
15 Jul 07 - 07:32 PM (#2103687) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Gray D Saw Porterhouse several times at Barry Folk Club (now on about its 4th or 5th incarnation). They were, as stated above, wonderful. Only got one album by them - "Bide Lady Bide" Cambrian Recordings MCT216 -which I still drag out and sing along to from time to time. I have championed one or two of these before I know but if you can find their stuff check out A Filetta from Corsica (well known in France), Rustavi Choir, Journalist, Mtiebi (sang with one of them a couple of weeks ago)and Mzetamze from Georgia, Trio Bulgarka and Les Mysteres de les Voix Bulgares from Bulgaria (not all unaccompanied but worth a visit harmonywise) and, of course, the output from Northern Harmony in Vermont USA who collect stuff from all over the world and put considerable effort into performing it properly. And if you get a chance to sing with any of them . . . take it. Gray D |
16 Jul 07 - 01:17 AM (#2103887) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Rowan From Oz, in chronological order, Canterbury Fair, Pageant, Rumbylowe, a couple from TI whose name escapes me in this senior moment, Roaring Forties, Spooky Men's Chorale Cheers, Rowan |
16 Jul 07 - 01:42 AM (#2103903) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Artful Codger I tend to use "a cappella" instead of "unaccompanied" because the latter might simply mean "alone", "with no one else". It's not strictly vocal, as witness the Bach suites for unaccompanied violin. Nor does it necessarily preclude a performer from accompanying himself. I also don't like defining things in terms of what they are not. Why should there be an automatic presumption of accompaniment, particularly with trad folk songs?? |
16 Jul 07 - 07:02 AM (#2104053) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Dave Hanson Why do people insist on calling unaccompanied folk singing ' a capella ' which means in the style of the church [ or chapel ] there are even shanty groups listed, which by no stretch of the imagination can be said to be singing in the style of the church. It's UNACCOMPANIED. eric |
16 Jul 07 - 01:03 PM (#2104316) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Artful Codger Ahem, that bit of pedantry has already been addressed in this thread. |
16 Jul 07 - 02:07 PM (#2104382) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: PoppaGator To me, "unaccompanied" singing would denote solo vocal-only performances, and might even be understood to include self-accompanied performances (e.g., guitar and vocal, as practiced by many of us). Most of the music under discussion here involves group singing without instrumental accompaniment, where the singers are, essentially, accompanying each other. Hence, as far as I'm concerned, "a cap(p)ella" is a more accurate term than "unacompanied," even when the music is not "church style," regardless of the term's ancient etymology and its literal translation from the Latin (or Italian). As noted throughout the thread, there are great examples of group vocals without instrumental accompaniment in many subgenres in and out of folk music, including sea-shanties, barbershop, jazz, etc. Let me throw in a mention of the great neo-doo-wop group The Persuasions. "Doo-wop" was originally a grassroots urban "folk" form generally performed without instrumentation, right out on the proverbial streetcorner, with nonsense-syllable singing providing the harmonies, counterpoint, rhythms, etc., ordinarily supplied by bass, guitar, piano, horns, drums, etc. The popular records inspired by this musical movement generally put at least some instrumentation back into the mix ~ recording of purely vocal doo-wop didn't occur until a later self-consious "revival." The Persuasions are the greatest example of this revival. Part of the doo-wop tradition is creation of new arrangements of already-well-known songs, and these guys have done a particularly outstanding job of that, recording full albums of their reinterpretations of reggae sings, Grateful Dead songs, Bob Dylan songs, etc. |
16 Jul 07 - 05:48 PM (#2104591) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Mike Miller I am a great fan of a capella singing. I was a member of The Mainliners (The Bryn Mawr chapter of The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet singing in America) and I, once, sang with The Persuasions at a swimming pool. I have composed for choirs and taught music for forty years and I can say, without qualification, that TAKE 6 is the most astonishing vocal group I have ever heard. They have redefined Gospel and a capella and they have raised the bar forever. I took their first CD, "Spread Love" to a Mainliners rehearsal and blew everyone away. Other dynamic a capella groups are Lambert, Hendricks and Ross and The Buffalo Bills (That's The Bills you hear in the movie, "The Music Man"). I kind of like the old Golden Ring, too. |
16 Jul 07 - 06:53 PM (#2104637) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Rowan When I started performing (in Oz), groups (pairs, trios etc up to about octets) that sang harmonies with no instrumental involvement were always (in the folk scene) described as singing unaccompanied harmonies; soloists that did so sang "unaccompanied" but not with harmonies unless the audience got into the act, which happened. The fashion changed in (as far as I can tell) in the 90s, when commentators with more classical training than knowledge of the folk scene started using "a capella" (and a cappella) to describe such items. Of course, it may have been that such commentators were using the term for the obligatory non-instrumental item in any Steeleye Span concert a couple of decades earlier but there weren't many such commentators on radio/tv in Oz at that time so I wouldn't have known. Cheers, Rowan |
17 Jul 07 - 04:52 AM (#2104923) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Dave Hanson Folk song in general is not sung ' in the style of the chappel ' just imagine the old hunting songs and sea shanties ? a capella ? I think not. eric |
17 Jul 07 - 05:09 PM (#2105356) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Artful Codger Seems to be a nasty echo in here... |
17 Jul 07 - 06:55 PM (#2105439) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Gray D Peeps you are (thread) drifting. Fi wants names of groups to check out. Fi - I forgot Northampton Harmony - their version of "Idumea" esp. live, jaw dropping. Gray D |
18 Jul 07 - 08:38 AM (#2105842) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,dizzyLisa For me it has to be Pete Luscombe and John Bartlett who some of you may know from Victory Morris (& honourary Hartley men )and as part of Ramskyte. Since the death of Brian Ingham they have re-invented themselves as WholeHearted and you can hear them on their mySpace at: www.myspace.com/wholeheartedduo Between Hartley stands they will hopefully be singing in the Neps and other Broadstairs pubs during folk week..... ahhhhhh !! |
18 Jul 07 - 04:27 PM (#2106186) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Donuel The Swingle Singers did the 1812 overature complete with making their voices sound like church bells. Their Claire d'Lune is also outstanding. |
18 Jul 07 - 04:45 PM (#2106194) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Mike Miller You bet The Swingles were terrific. Dave Swingle was a brilliant arranger and is responsible for the resurgence of a cappela. But, I contend that Take6 has extended his vision and has set the bar so high that no other group will be able to equal them. Their first album, the all gospel "Spread Love", was a revelation. I, no longer, perform "Oh, Mary, Don't You Weep". After hearing Take6's version, I wouldn't dare. Mike |
18 Jul 07 - 04:54 PM (#2106197) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Donuel I will check out take 6 who are new to me. or is it Take Sex? |
18 Jul 07 - 06:08 PM (#2106259) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Tootler PoppaGator wrote To me, "unaccompanied" singing would denote solo vocal-only performances, and might even be understood to include self-accompanied performances (e.g., guitar and vocal, as practiced by many of us). Most of the music under discussion here involves group singing without instrumental accompaniment, where the singers are, essentially, accompanying each other. Hence, as far as I'm concerned, "a cap(p)ella" is a more accurate term than "unacompanied," even when the music is not "church style," regardless of the term's ancient etymology and its literal translation from the Latin (or Italian). I think this is more a difference in terminology on the two sides of the Atlantic. In the UK the term normally used is "unaccompanied" both for solo and group singing. "A capella" tends to be restricted to classical singing groups. In fact I have even heard the term "unaccompanied" used for classical groups. To add to the list on the thread, no one has mentioned the Keelers from Tyneside. Excellent unaccompanied harmony singing. |
18 Jul 07 - 06:24 PM (#2106268) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Don(Wyziwyg)T You can fight all day over what to call it, but whoever wins the argument will find few acts to top the aforementioned "Capella". Not only are their harmonies superb, and their choice of material inspired, but the completely unexpected sound achieved by Tony's counter tenor and Leslie's deep contralto, is stunning on first hearing, and insistently begs revisiting. They are simply different, and it is a mystery to me that they are not at least as well known as CMR. Don T. |
18 Jul 07 - 08:43 PM (#2106368) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Artful Codger Don: Take 6 was a gospel/jazz sextet, which may explain that little mystery. Their eponymous first album (1988) won a Grammy, and deservedly so, and immediately put them into the same league as Singers Unlimited, Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices and Voicestra. For guys so young not only to sing so well but to write such amazing arrangements must've made even Gene Puerling and Bobby McFerrin jade-green with envy! That said, I can only recommend their first two albums, Take 6 and So Much 2 Say--after that, they took a more mainstream, instrument-supported direction that detracts greatly from their vocal strengths. But I recommend those first albums with hoots and waving arms and even a little rabid dribble. |
19 Jul 07 - 12:29 AM (#2106494) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Mike Miller The Artful Codger's got that right. They met at a small religious college in the South so they are rooted in black gospel music but, it seems to me, their influences are The Swingle Singers, The Four Freshmen and The Hi-Lo's (Listen to the Clark Burroughs-like falsetto rides). I, too, was disappointed when they started using some instrumental accompaniment and branching into a more secular repitore. If there was, ever, a group that didn't need backup, it was Take6. Their audience was, primarily, black. It took the rest of us a while to catch up. |
26 Jul 07 - 09:26 AM (#2111717) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,guest refresh |
26 Jul 07 - 09:32 AM (#2111731) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,guest Wilsons at saddleworth, all three concerts, just brilliant!!! |
28 Aug 07 - 08:44 PM (#2135696) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Artful Codger Just encountered this: When a boy asked what "a cappella" meant, his father replied, "It means that the choir will sing without musical accomplishment." |
29 Aug 07 - 04:45 AM (#2135875) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: rinso I fell in love with singing 'bout instruments after hearing The Macalmans sing Paper Doll and To People Who Have Gardens Watersons where great but struggled with pitch Last time I heard Quartz they where superb(a cafellows in the true sense) And the demise of Artisan is a great loss to the folk scene Rinsos |
29 Aug 07 - 05:05 AM (#2135878) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: stallion WOT No 2BS&S! where did I put me Berghaus! |
29 Aug 07 - 06:16 AM (#2135910) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: mattkeen Favourites Coope, Boyes &Simpson Devils Interval Watersons No particular order |
29 Aug 07 - 06:21 AM (#2135917) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: mattkeen Oh yes and the Spooky Men!!! What an ommission Dont you lot talk a load of bxxlocks about definitions, when we all actually understand what the thread was asking anyway? Are any of you retired geography teachers? |
29 Aug 07 - 06:44 AM (#2135930) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Banjiman Stallion, You beat me to it, I was just about to mention TWO BLACK SHEEP & A STALLION. One of my favorites! Paul |
29 Aug 07 - 06:51 AM (#2135934) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: JennyO "It means that the choir will sing without musical accomplishment." Artful Codger, this belongs in the Malapropisms thread! |
29 Aug 07 - 07:08 AM (#2135946) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: treewind New one on me, heard last Sunday at Shrewsbury Festival : Muldoon's Picnic - Scottish, very accomplished, very loud and very international in their repertoire. Anahata |
29 Aug 07 - 08:01 AM (#2135958) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Janice in NJ Let me add two important groups that came out of the African-American tradition, the SNCC Freedom Singers and Sweet Honey in the Rock. Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon was a founding member of both. |
29 Aug 07 - 05:20 PM (#2136344) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: vectis Cappella are definately my numero uno acappella singing in the south east. Cartouche is a new formation of Leslie & Tony plus Mike Nicholson. Makes the short hairs on the back of your neck stand up and quiver. Brilliant, should go far. |
29 Aug 07 - 05:24 PM (#2136350) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: the button Another vote for Sweet Honey in the Rock from me. Plus The Watersons (obviously), and the Dead Sea Surfers -- never owned one of the records, but they were always such a good laugh at festivals. |
29 Aug 07 - 06:09 PM (#2136379) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,Texas Guest A lot of fine folks mentioned here, especially the Mills Brothers, Seamus; however - the best group I have ever heard sing live is none other than, Anuna. They are simply the best - no contest, no argument,...end of discussion. By the way, you all can hear them live this fall as they are touring all over America; in fact, they will be at the Bass Hall in Fort Worth, Texas on November 20th. See ya' there? |
29 Aug 07 - 07:37 PM (#2136445) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Herga Kitty Haven't heard Cartouche yet, but would like to. Suspect the Young 'uns will be due for a nomination. Invidious to suggest any are best, really.... love CMR, Wholehearted, Witches of Elswick, Devil's Interval. Kitty |
29 Aug 07 - 08:01 PM (#2136469) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Nick E Now these two are not purely acaplea. First, I have to say Great Big Sea does some great numbers. And I have a soft spot for Stan Rogers. |
29 Aug 07 - 08:17 PM (#2136483) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: gecko Sadly now defunct, the Flying Pickets from the UK were hard to beat. I wasn't lucky enough to hear them live so I've had to make do with a couple of recordings. YIU gecko |
31 Aug 07 - 10:01 AM (#2137644) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,Liz I agree with most of the above, but I have to say that the performances the Wilsons have given, at the festivals I have visited this year, must put them to the top of my list. |
31 Aug 07 - 11:12 AM (#2137707) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,Mad Jock I must say Taggart and Wright are superb but then as I am related I might seem to be a bit biased but all you need to do is listen to some of what they can do on their website and you will agree. Others Coope Boyes and Simpson (but there are three of them) Muldoon Picnic , a very talented and technically superb young group who deserve much more attention, (five of them very complicated stuff) Tanglefoot.Yeah but when Taggart and Wright did support for them it was a close thing. The Mac calmans. Nick Keir rated Taggart and Wright after they did support for them at the Lomond fest a few years back.So I cant be totally biased. Tarneybackle a Perthshire based trio. |
31 Aug 07 - 11:31 AM (#2137728) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Doktor Doktor Tha Wilsaaans for sheer power ... Cockersdale for sheer harmony .. The current Copper's generation .. Artisan for the record ... Oddly enough I've not seen / heard too many non-British harmony groups on tour here, even though we get a steaty stream of vocalists & instrumentalists. Am I missing somethin? or do voice-only acts not translate so well? |
31 Aug 07 - 06:05 PM (#2137970) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,Vin2 No desrespect to all t'others but reckon it has to be the Wilsons for me at the mo. Can't stop listening to 'Stocking Tops' - fabulouss stuff!! |
31 Aug 07 - 07:01 PM (#2138005) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: Leadfingers C M R !! and 100 !! |
01 Sep 07 - 06:56 AM (#2138258) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST From the English folk scene The Watersons were in a class of thier own.There are a lot of sweet harmony groups but the Watersons had a more earthy sound which still gets to me after years of listening to them. I did see the Flying Pickets at the Islington Folk club they were very good. Sweet Honey In the Rock excellent music and political commitment. My personal favourites (apart from the Watersons) are from the jazz swing era The Mills Brothers who were famous not only for their wonderful harmony singing but for imitating brass instruments. As well as their own records they recorded a lot with Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald wonderful stuff. Ken Hall |
01 Sep 07 - 08:07 AM (#2138287) Subject: RE: best a capella groups From: GUEST,Peter Red Bull Folk Club As already mentioned Grace Notes are one of the best!! And they're on at The Red Bull Stockport..Monday 8th October Tickets £6.00 either mail or phone me for more! details here www.stockportfolk.co.uk It will be full so if you want to come make sure you book a ticket! Peter |