I'm not sure where my mind was, but I just realized that the Octet Fan Page has been around for 4 years as of the 23rd when I wrote my first post from Seattle, Washington. I had been a fan for about a year when the fan page/blog started. I'm SO happy with all of the great events that have happened since the Fan Page began. 2 reunions with the 2002-03 group, great music from the 09-13 groups. Kyle Crews on American Idol (albeit briefly). All kinds of exciting memories. I hope the fan page is around for a long while. I will be finishing up some more reviews, and then, who knows.
I'd just like to thank the visitors to the page, Oldtet, Octet and Tones who have encouraged and helped me.
Hey Octet fans. I'm back with another review of the UC Men's Octet's cd "Gold". This time we've got Billy Joel's memorable "She's Got A Way".
I posted another short sample (though I'm noticing the short samples are unintentionally getting longer - this might be redundant, but it IS unintentional. I also added a bit of clumsy animation. I've finally got the Bamboo tablet out again...but I haven't used it in a while, and the 'art' and computer put up a struggle. But, there it is. :)
I find this song to be very relaxing. A song about that woman. Perfect for him. Love. Devotion...etc,. The song is Piano bar. White bread. Well arranged and performed by both Billy Joel and subsequently the UC Men's Octet, but ultimately, not very interesting to me as a song. I really have to be in the mood to hear this one, otherwise, I usually hit "skip" or listen without noticing it much. I like it. I just don't "LIKE" like it.
Another review piece for the "Gold" CD. This time, it's the Octet's arrangement of "Hair" from the 1960's hippy musical that goes by the same name. Since the Octet's version was my first encounter with the song, I'd like to begin by letting you see and hear the original. Well, it's from the movie...made in 1979.
You can see it in the video: youth, anti-establishment, free-love, violent prison beatings...oh well, there have to be some drawbacks to having long hair, eh. It's an entertaining clip.
But this was my introduction to the musical.
The Octet's version actually begins with "She asks me why I'm just a hairy guy." I took the sample from a several seconds into the song.
The arrangement is wonderful. The soloist has a great/strong voice, and the backing singers really make this song fly. Every time I hear this song, I'm literally bopping my head to the music and singing loudly with the Octet (much to the chagrin of those around me.)
For me, since I heard the Octet version before the movie version, I have to say that the Octo-version sounds "more correct". The perfect version.
This is one of my 3 FAVORITES on the Gold CD (and, indeed, one of my favorites for all the Octet music I have or have heard.) I like all of their music. I love most of their music. But this. This is spec-freaking-tacular!
So...I guess I'll just be doing spot-reviews. I did figure out what I did wrong with the uploads. No. It wasn't the computer. It was me. I take all the blame for that.
And, with that, I shall review again. Possibly Friday. But I procrastinate, so don't hold me to it.
Hey Octet Fans. I'm going to post this review in a few installments because after my computer returned from being repaired it decided it was INSANE. So...I'm working with what it will allow me to do at the moment.
Gold was released in the YEAR 2000, and features the ICCA award winning members of the UC Men's Octet. The ICCA's are a big deal. It's like the Grammy Awards of the collegiate a cappella world. (Well, maybe not exactly) and the Octet are the only group who won 2 years "in a row". (Why is "in a row" in quotes? Well, between the first and second year that the Octet won the ICCA's, there were no regional championships.)
That being said. Onto the music. (Tracks 1-3 of 18)
Let's begin with "Eight's Company" - a parody of the 70's/80's theme song "Three's Company". I spent my early childhood watching this show, and I love how the Octet arranged this song. If you compare it to the original, you will find that it's quite different from the memorable theme song, but the Octet arrangement is quite good and enjoyable as they have it. Eight's Company showcases their humor as well as their musical ability. I think this is a great song, and wish it were actually longer - but what can you do with a theme song - unless you incorporate it into a "medley". Well, I guess it would still be short...never mind.
Teenager In Love - originally recorded by Dion and the Belmonts in the late 1950's, is higher energy than the original. The speaking parts and included add character to the song, as does the humorous backing vocals. ((Soloist:) I cried a tear, for nobody but (Backs:) whoever he points to..) This is another case where I have found that my love of the UC Men's Octet has introduced me to music I never would have been interested in listening to otherwise. They continue to open doors for my love of music.
Next, Little Red Riding Hood, originally by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs is another song that I had not known pre-Octet, and it is one of my favorites. It must be very popular, because it is included in at least 4 Octet albums.
The song presents the wolf as pursuing Little Red, a "little big girl" and encourages her to trust her as he walks with her to gammas place in his "sheep suit". Enjoyable the whole way through. Especially the "listen to me" scale and the ending "ruff."
I will try to add to the review and I am able. Track 4 will be "Hair" from the musical of the same name. Track 5 "She's Got A Way" (Billy Joel) Track 6 "Silhouettes" (The Rays) will be the next few songs in the review.
Authors Note: I was nearly thrown out of the coffee shop I was in because I plugged my headphones into the wrong hole and had the volume WAAAY UP...Maybe it's not the computer, but the operator that has issues, eh? So, as my computer allows me, I will add to the review a few songs at a time. Thank you all for your patience.
Dear Octet/Oldtet/Tones If you have any questions/concerns/comments please contact me via email: [email protected] - I will do everything I can to address any needs or concerns that you have.
Also, if you are performing now, and would like to get the word out well in advance of your performance date, please let me know via email or facebook message.
#1 OctoFan!
My name is Tiffany & I live in Salem, Oregon. I am, quite possibly, the biggest Octet Fan Ever!
Some of my other favorite things include: Fountain pens, chocolate, trying new things, drawing, British Comedy, nostalgia (especially other peoples nostalgia), Riffing movies...and lot's more!