I love the Aca Community

Jan 8

Posted by Chad Bergeron in News | No Comments

The A Cappella comunity is one of the best communities I can think of.  Our shared passion brings people from around the globe into near instant friendships.  Yesterday, it was announced that Boston vocal rock band Ball In The House would be cancelling Saturday’s scheduled show (two days later) because of a sudden and sad death in the family of one of the members.

One day later, it has been announced that Boston’s other outstanding vocal rock band, Five O’clock Shadow, would be stepping up to the plate and covering the gig for them.

That’s just one of the nicest, coolest things I’ve heard in a while.  I’m sad to hear of the death, and I’m sad for those attendees who were looking forward to seeing BitH, but at least they’re still getting a rocking show with FOCS.

I love this community.

Last day to download Help! for free!

Dec 23

Posted by Chad Bergeron in Podcast | 2 Comments

I’ve been spreading the word by Twitter, Facebook, and in person, but in case you’ve missed out on any of those, let me repeat it here…

Today is the last day to get a free download of Overboard’s latest album Help! which is an all Beatles album. Not only is this awesome a cappella, and awesome source material, but Overboard puts their own stamp on these tracks, bringing some fresh new sounds to these classic and well loved songs, but without such a radical departure that it loses what made the originals so great.

So go to http://www.overboardvocals.com/ and get your copy!

Hmm. Looks like it’s time to put together a Beatles show…

Acapodcast #60, 2009 Holiday Special

Dec 12

Posted by Chad Bergeron in Podcast | 4 Comments

It’s the most magical time of the year, when for many of us it is the season of snow, of friends and family, of food, gifts, and joy.  This year I’ve compiled 23 tracks to share with you, over an hour of music.  Know that I appreciate each and every listener, and I am pleased to give you the gift of Show #60, filled with what might be the best collection of holiday music I’ve put together yet.  Be well this holiday season, and may it be filled with harmony.  I’ll be back in January to kick off my 5th year of The Acapodcast.

Track Title Artist Album
This Year Eclipse Three Kings
Giving You A Cuddle For Christmas Suade
The Christmas Can-Can Straight No Chaser
What Child Is This Ball In The House
My Christmas Tree Cluster Christmas Present
Noel Nouvelet The King’s Singers Christmas
O Come All Ye Faithful Chanticleer Let It Snow
Let There Be Peace On Earth Tonic Sol-Fa On Top Of The World
A Wish For You The Nylons A Wish For You
The Christians And The Pagans The Metropolitones Mouthing Off
Hold Out For Christmas Rockapella Rockapella Christmas
This Christmas Wake Forest Chi Rho Voices Only 2009
Baby King Tonic Sol-Fa On Top Of The World
Away In A Manger The Nylons A Wish For You
Veni, Veni Emmanuel The King’s Singers Christmas
You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch Straight No Chaser
Deck The Halls Cluster Christmas Present
Christmas Without You Rockapella Rockapella Christmas
Little Drummer Boy Ball In The House
Huron Christmas Carol The Nylons A Wish For You
I’ll Be Home For Christmas Straight No Chaser
Silent Night Chanticleer Let It Snow
White Christmas The Swingle Singers The Story Of Christmas

You can click on any of the album covers to purchase that album (usually an Amazon or iTunes link).

Oh, and here’s Suade’s recent music video for “Giving You A Cuddle For Christmas”.  As much fun to watch as they had making it!

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Are you in the Philly/Wilmington region this weekend?

Dec 1

Posted by Chad Bergeron in News | 2 Comments

I’ve just been tipped off to what promises to be one amazing concert this Saturday night at 8pm, in Arden Delaware. It will feature four different groups from four different schools, including:

The Del-Tones from University of Delaware
Off The Beat from University of Pennsylvania
The Deaftones from Westminster Choir College
Tigertones from Princeton University

And even better? The price – only $15, which is what you might expect to pay for just one group’s end-of-semester show.

If anyone goes, send me pictures from the event and I’ll send you an Acapodcast sticker.

More details at http://ardenclub.org/concerts.htm

Acapodcast #59

Nov 7

Posted by Chad Bergeron in Podcast | No Comments

It seems like almost all of the A Cappella hoi oligoi are off at SoJam, but that doesn’t mean that us plebs can’t enjoy some great tunes!  Press the little ‘Play’ button at the bottom of the post to hear Show #59, or click here to download it!

Track Title Artist Album Original Artist
Waiting For You Clemson Tigeroar

Sing Six
Get Set Clips by VT Juxtaposition and Northwestern Undertones, Track by Hyannis Sound Shirt! Tie! Khaki! Taxiride
Chasing Pavements Liberty Belles of Olentangy Liberty HS in Powell, OH OLHS Adele
Sweet Child o’ Mine Harmonious Soul Harmonious Soul Guns n’ Roses
Love Begins Yale Out Of The Blue Sing Six
I am always being surprised and impressed with the quality of the original tunes that the Collegiate A Cappella world is starting to come up with.  I don’t want to jinx it, but I think we’re on the cusp of a sea change.  There will always be room for the hot covers (and the standards like Get Set will never go away), but we’re going to see more and more originals coming out from groups that are really trying to make a name for themselves and define themselves as a group.  It’s an awesome time to be an A Cappella fan!

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