# Ideas on a cappella music to listen to **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 26, 2004, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210 "2004-02-26T01:16:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![International\_Playboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/48db29/32.png) [@International\_Playboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/International_Playboy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/21 "2004-02-27T01:34:58Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Check out “Ladysmith Black Mombazo”. Saw them live last November. They put on a good show. I was introduced to a cappella music through the Spike Lee PBS special mentioned above. I think there was a video released too. Ladysmith was one of the groups, though I was familiar with them through Paul Simon’s “Graceland” album. Rockapella was who I had thought of when I read the title of this thread. I have a couple of their Cds, they seem hard to find. I like their Christmas album the best of what I have. And I saw Mint Juleps at a “Furthur Festival,” though they weren’t doing a cappella then. They were touring with Mickey Hart in support of his “Mistery Box” album, on which they sang. I’d like to get some of their stuff too. I remember a group, “The Nylons” in the 1980s. Liked what I saw on TV but the CD I bought from a bargain bin several years later grew old quickly. And thanks, Tengu and Jeff Olsen, for the links, now I’ve found more CD’s I need to spend money on. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/22 "2004-02-28T06:12:00Z")
I seem to remember liking [The Edlos](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index%3Dmusic%26field-keywords%3Dedlos%26store-name%3Dmusic/104-4711809-1887156) when they’d perform at the Harmony Sweepstakes, way back when I was a lad. Them, the [Knudsen Brothers,](http://www.numaxentertainment.com/knudsenbros/) and “The Bobs,” as I recall. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/23 "2004-02-28T06:56:53Z")
[The Luther Nordic Choir](http://www.singers.com/choral/nordicchoir.html) isn’t exactly in the same stream as the other suggestions people have made, but if you’re interested in hearing more choral a capella, as opposed to Rockapella-type stuff, you definitely have to check them out. I got a chance to listen to them perform “Eight Chestnut Horses” (off the I Will Sing to the Lord CD) a couple of years ago, and I was absolutely blown away. If I ever was an accomplished enough singer to sing “Eight Chestnut Horses”, I would be in choir heaven. It’s a Mongolian song and it is absolutely the _best_ a capella song for concert choir I have ever heard. I’m about as agnostic as you can be short of being an atheist, and I even liked the religious stuff they sang, just because it was so beautiful. IMO, choral music is best when it’s a capella because it really showcases the voice as an instrument. The [site](http://www.singers.com) I linked to for the Nordic Choir has a lot more a capella CDs for sale. They even have [reviews](http://www.singers.com/reviews.html). ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/24 "2004-02-28T08:37:32Z")
> [@Kizarvexius](#): > > [Moxy Früvous](http://www.fruvous.com/) performs a lot of instrumentals, but throws in a few a capella numbers here and there as well. Their best are a capella, IMO. King of Spain, Hash Ash, and their a capella version of Gotta Get a Message to You. ---
**Author:** ![unclviny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/25 "2004-02-28T13:09:11Z")
No mention of the Bobs?. unclviny ---
**Author:** ![ThatGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e5b9ba/32.png) [@ThatGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThatGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/26 "2004-02-28T18:28:57Z")
> **[Blue Jupiter New Album "Twisted Broadway Volume 1" Broadway Meets A Cappella](http://www.bluejupiter.com)** > > Blue Jupiter announces the release of “Twisted Broadway Volume 1 (An A Cappella Album)” . Blue Jupiter’s fifth full-length album release and its first featuring their “new “line-up of Broadway talent. “Twisted Broadway" delivers classic Broadway show... “Ear Candy” is the finest capella cd i have yet to come across, and they put on an incredible show. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/27 "2004-02-28T19:38:37Z")
> [@unclviny](#): > > No mention of the Bobs?. > > unclviny I thought of the Bobs first thing; they do a mean **Helter Skelter**. ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/28 "2004-02-28T23:53:16Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > I thought of the Bobs first thing; they do a mean **Helter Skelter**. Another vote for the Bobs here! And another for the Persuasions. Saw them a few years ago, and they rocked. The lead singer, Jerry Lawson, confessed to having a 105 degree temperature at the end, by way of apologizing for not doing a third encore. Also, Take 6 were quite good in their day, and the first two albums by the Nylons are not bad at all. And a vote for some music that might as well have been a capella: the Fleetwoods. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/29 "2004-02-29T02:36:11Z")
> [@International Playboy](#): > > I remember a group, “The Nylons” in the 1980s. Liked what I saw on TV but the CD I bought from a bargain bin several years later grew old quickly. They did do a pretty good version of “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/30 "2004-02-29T15:47:47Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > They did do a pretty good version of “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” Yes, but that was their third album, by which time they had developed too deep a relationship with their drum machine. It was hardly a capella anymore by then. ---
**Author:** ![GrandfatherTrout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@GrandfatherTrout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandfatherTrout)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/31 "2004-02-29T15:56:43Z")
> [@unclviny](#): > > No mention of the Bobs?. Oh, thank heavens. I was worried I was going to get all the way to the end of the freakin’ thread without seeing them listed here. [The Bobs](http://www.bobs.com/) have been blowing minds for twenty years. They are my Big Heroes. They are gods of a capella. Kneel before the Bobs. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2004, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/32 "2004-02-29T18:25:57Z")
I’m only familiar with Take 6 and the Nylons. Really enjoy the Nylons Christmas album, but I’m a Christmas music freak. Take 6 has some outstanding singing. Julie ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/33 "2004-03-01T07:00:54Z")
> [@unclviny](#): > > No mention of the Bobs?. Hey! _I_ did. What am I, chopped liver? ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/34 "2004-03-01T13:18:18Z")
The [Flying Pickets](http://www.pickets.co.uk/index2.htm) were a UK hit in the 80’s with a cover of Yazoo’s _Only You_. Their rendition of Springstein’s _Factory_ is sublime!!! Grim ---
**Author:** ![GrandfatherTrout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@GrandfatherTrout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandfatherTrout)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/35 "2004-03-01T13:58:06Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > Hey! _I_ did. What am I, chopped liver? :scrolls quickly upthread: Huh. So you did. How’d we miss that? A thousand pardons. ---
**Author:** ![ChordedZither](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9c0ed/32.png) [@ChordedZither](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChordedZither)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/36 "2004-03-01T16:22:25Z")
A capella music occurs in many different musical genres, so a lot depends on what instrumental and accompanied music you enjoy listening to. The classical a capella group _Chanticleer_ has already been mentioned. Let me put in a plug for a really great Celtic/Ancient music group, _Anuna_. ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2004, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/37 "2004-03-01T20:29:07Z")
Where to begin? I was introduced to a capella by a co-worker nearly eight years ago and have greedily purchased tapes and CDs since. I see that someone has referenced the Primarily A Capella site, so let me add the other big gun, [Mainely A Capella](http://www.a-cappella.com/), based in — you guessed it — Maine. I have dealt with both and find the people there unbelievably friendly and the service good. There are nearly as many breeds of a capella music as there are accompanied vocal music. Classical, jazz, folk, contemporary, world, collegiate, Christian, country, even klezmer a capella. So if you know what sort of music you like to begin with, it can help. Both large websites have lots of helpful information and samples. A note about accompanyment. Some groups pride themselves on just singing vocal harmonies. Others have members to do “vocal percussion,” imitating the swish of a brush on the cymbals, or the beat of a drum. Still others imitate instruments as well. Others add drum machines or light accompaniment (guitar or piano). Still others use a full orchestra (Hi-los, Four Freshmen) but are listed in a capella catalogues because of their superb harmonies and the fact the do some unaccompanied numbers. There are fans who snub each of the descending categories, but I wouldn’ t let that worry you. Yes, the **Nylons** relied more and more on their drum machine, but I don’t let that stop me from enjoying their work. Pick up a copy of “Four on the Floor,” one of their live efforts, and tell me you don’t enjoy it, beatbox or no. Many excellent suggestions have already been made, though I should point out for neophytes that **The Bobs** run heavily to a lovely twisted sense of humor. If that appeals to you, let me also suggest **Throat Culture** , whose paeans to “Jack Bates, Bail Bonds” and the giant “Easter Island Heads” are nothing short of hilarious. Here are a few outstanding groups that have yet to be mentioned: **Real Group** , based in Sweden is one of the premier jazz vocal groups in the world. Many of their songs are in English, and they are smooothly professional. A standout is “A Capella in Acapulco” with vocal percussion and music so complex and well done you would swear they were backed by a band. **The Blenders** are probably my favorite group. Their Christmas album, “Nog,” has some humor but also some of the absolute best treatments of traditional Christmas music I’ve yet to discover. I can put on the headphones and get lost in that luscious harmony. **The 17th Avenue All Stars** are also in heavy rotation on my playlist for fine contemporary a capella as are **The Coats** , formerly known as The Trenchcoats, who shortened their name after the Columbine massacre. They’re based in the Northwest, and I’ve had a chance to see them live. They put on a great show. And if **Purplycow** can make it to a live gig of any kind, it would be well worth the effort. There are groups in every region of the country, which compete in an annual Harmony Sweepstakes. A few years back, we made a trip to the regional finals in Olympia, Wash. and had a blast, with a dozen groups singing their hearts out. The finals in northern California are reported to be even better. Check the Harmony Sweepstakes schedule and see whether there is a regional final in reach. Also, the national finals are recorded each year and are available on the websites. I love the ambience, crowd noise and all, and the chance to hear many of the up-and-coming groups. Also highly recommended for fans of contemporary music is the BOCA (Best of College A Capella) series, which dates back five or six years. The CD is picked from college groups around the country doing mostly covers and a few originals. The quality of musicianship is striking, and eclectic. Good luck in your explorations. It’s a real kick. —Hometownboy, who own vocal control is shaky at best, but loves to listen to good harmony ---
**Author:** ![purplycow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@purplycow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplycow)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/38 "2004-03-02T01:40:33Z")
Oh wow … many thanks to all of you for all the suggestions! I managed to check out The Persuasions and Zap Mama. Very nice! I do enjoy stuff with vocal percussion so I don’t think I’m a purist as such 😉 Will be checking out everything you guys mentioned! **Hometownboy** , I’m in Malaysia - yes, that’s really really far away 🆒 so no watching anything in the US for me, sigh … ---
**Author:** ![purplycow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@purplycow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplycow)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/39 "2004-03-02T01:46:27Z")
Oh wow … many thanks to all of you for all the suggestions! I managed to check out The Persuasions and Zap Mama. Very nice! I do enjoy stuff with vocal percussion so I don’t think I’m a purist as such 😉 Will be checking out everything you guys mentioned! **Hometownboy** , I’m in Malaysia - yes, that’s really really far away 🆒 so no watching anything in the US for me, sigh … ---
**Author:** ![purplycow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@purplycow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplycow)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2004, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-on-a-cappella-music-to-listen-to/231210/40 "2004-03-02T01:49:54Z")
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