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Oh my gosh, I am such a procrastinator! Why do I do that? I can't believe how annoying procrastinating is. And this review isn't the only thing I've procrastinated on. In fact, I'm using this review as a tool to procrastinate on ANOTHER project I'm working on. Yay me! Anyway, onto...

The Review

05-06 Octet: Zachary Bernstein, Patrick Cento, Josh Chang, Paul Formaker, Nasir Khan, Danny Park & Glenn Steinbaum
Loves Me Like a Rock- soloist - Nasir Khan - Light, bouncy, solid rendition of a classic. 
Don't Stop Believin' - soloist - Patrick Cento: Arranged by Brian Boshes; perfectly represents 80's stadium rock, right down to the extended and slightly pitchy (for effect, I'm sure) vocalization. "their shadows searching in the ni-ee-ight!". There are also funny little comments in the backs. 
Collide - soloist Danny Park: The backs are different from what I've heard before. Maybe I just don't know the music enough. This was my first experience with Collide.  Beautifully sung. 
Silent Night - group: Simple. The song starts with 4 soloists each singing  the first four phrases of Silent Night, and then the voices come and blend to finish the song. The second part isn't the traditional song. However, it's beautifully and solemnly sung. 
I'll Be -  soloist - Jonathan Yee: This is a desperate (in a good way) love song.The harmonies are so wonderful. The song is a little sad, but beautiful. 
Runaround Sue - soloist - Zachary Bernstein: Kind of a rocky version, with the backs playing it for laughs. 
Hail To California - group: It's a school song. Nice blending. T1 and Bass kill it (in a good way).
Mr. Grinch - soloist - Glenn Steinbaum: This one is a Christmas classic, and Steinbaum and the guys do it justice. Good voice acting in this version! 
'04-'05 Octet: Zachary Bernstein, Brian Boshes, Robin Kong, Jamie Pinedo, John Shumway, Glenn Steinbaum & Jonathan Yee
Lion King Medley - group: Crystal clear version of the YouTube Lion King Medley video. If you've seen the video and have thought: What did he say? Stupid audience! I wish they'd shut up! The CD Version is pristine, and the guys sound awesome! In fact, it's funnier than the YouTube video, because if you could hear what the guys said, you'd be laughing! Really. (P.S. I'm all for that audience having fun and laughing, but the cd had me questioning it.) Really, the cd is the best $16.00+shipping I've ever spent in my life.
Is She Really Going Out With Him - soloist - Brian Boshes: Again, like the video without the laughter, and some of the backing humor. A fun song. 
Always Something There To Remind Me - soloist - John Shumway: Another Octet video which can be found on YouTube. I kind of miss the guys dancing in the video, but there's nothing wrong with the song. 
Fight For California - group - school song. Go Bears. Solid.
I Just Wanna Make Love To You -  soloist - Jamie Pinedo: Bass love! After the smooth opening with Etta James's "At Last" the voices start low and get even lower! As one YouTuber put it. "This is baby makin' music." 
Walking My Baby Back Home - soloists - Robin Kong, John Shumway: O my gosh, this is such a great song! It is kind of old-timey (which I've become accustomed to, as I spent about a year listening to old time radio shows.) The best part of the song is the sort of scatting breakdown (I don't know what else to call it) which gives it some great new life. It's kind of the musical version of a palate cleanser, and it's really cool. 
'03-'04 Octet: Brian Boshes, Josh Chang, Max Cowan, Rafael de Leon, Robin Kong, Jordan Meyer & Parker Sims
Put Your Head On My Shoulder - soloist - Rafael de Leon: Old school. Rafael has a beautiful voice. 
Just My Imagination - soloists - Jordan Meyer, Parker Sims, Josh Chang: Great and funny parody of the Temptaions "Just My Imagination". But their imaginations tend to skew towards collegiate life. 
Papa Was a Rolling Stone/Who Is He (group): This is probably my favorite song on this cd. It's cool, bad, sharp and the vocals cut me to the soul. More great T1 & Bass love. 
The Scientist - soloist -Josh Chang: Another YouTube favorite. Smooth and soothing like chamomile tea. Excellent blending in the backs. 
I'm Too Sexy - soloist - Max Cowan: This is one of the funniest things I've ever heard. I hit repeat on this so many times. More bass love! 
My Girl - soloists - Robin Kong, Parker Sims, Rafael de Leon Another YouTube hit on this cd. The only difference is that Jason Mabie's rocky ending is replaced by Rafael de Leon's more melidic one. 
Finally, I'd like to apologize for how long it took to get this review out. I was having internet connection problems.

I have to say, though, that in preperation for this song, I listened to the cd about 800 thousand times. I listened to it on the road trip to Oktoberfest, and I listened to it every night before going to bed, and anytime I had to travel anywhere, I had my mp3 player playing the music over and over again. I even turned the music WAY up because I wanted it in my BRAIN. I'll probably go deaf from listening to the songs over and over agian, but it was worth it. 

Also, I'm not sure if the review did the cd justice. I did the best that I could I really loved the cd, and I'm glad I finally got it. 

(It's $16.00 + $2.00 shipping in the US. Not sure about overseas.)
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Hi Octet Fans. I believe there was a technical problem with the more official version of the video. Below is the complete concert, which was recorded (not by me) on a video camera from the computer. It's a pretty accurate representation of the concert and totally brings back Oldtet concert memories for me.
Clips one and two are "Brandy" - solo by Jason Mabie
Come Go With Me - solo by Parker Sims; Blue Moon - solo by Kenny Kamrin (features a cool dance break with Ben Sae-Tang)
My Girl - solos by Ben Sae-Tang, Parker Sims and Jason Mabie
Let's Stay Together - solo by Jordan Meyer
Drift Away - solo by Ben Sae-Tang. There are pauses on the computer, but Ben and the guys still sound great!
A NEW song by this Octet - "Endless Love". Solos by Parker Sims and Jason Mabie. Arranged by Jerome MC.
Not Pretty enough - solo by Rick Wood
Blackbird - solo by Ben Sae-Tang. Special whistling by Rick Wood
Shama Lama Ding Dong - solo by Jerome MC
Help Me Rhonda - solo by Parker Sims - features Octet dance break
Baby Got Back
The Lumberjack Song - solo by Kenny Kamrin
Princess Papuli with Kenny Kamrin as "the Princess".  The video is pretty fuzzy, but this was one of the songs which was featured on the Octet's '03 opening video.
Well, I hope you enjoyed the concert as much as I did. Well done, Men. And thank you. If I had it all to do again, I would have had some requests of songs which I knew you did (instead of "That Don't Impress Me Much" - weak, Tiffany). With that said, I probably would have requested "Runaround Sue", "Stanfurd Jonah" and/or "Big C".
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It was an hour of pure a cappella euphoria. In fact, I was on cloud 9 for a couple of hours after the show. I had a wonderful time watching the guys perform! It seemed like a Sproul performance with the guys dressed in Hawaiian shirts and leis. They had sort of a set list and then took requests through the chat. They commented on camera in answer to the chatters (though I didn't sign up for the chat until about halfway through the show, so I just watched for the longest time.) We got to see what kind of beer Rick was drinking, and Kenny's nickname (?), and one of the Octet mothers request for her son to sing a crooning song. (I love Octo-parents!) I loved the old favorites (I Like Big Butts, Not Pretty Enough, Let's Stay Together) and songs that were new to me, such as Drift Away - solo by Ben, The Lumberjack Song - Solo by Kenny, Shama Lama Ding Dong - solo by Jerome, and  a special request of My Girl which was first performed by the '03-04 group with solos by Ben, Parker and Jason. Princess Papuli was particularly funny.

Hopefully there will be some sort of video posted of all or part of the show. If so, I will direct you to it. Thank you Men's Octet!

I'm not sure when or even if the Octet show will be posted, so I thought I'd post some screencaps from the show - featuring EXTREME OLDTET CLOSEUPS!
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Parker solo: 'Help me get her out of my heart'
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Parker is saying 'Help Me Rhonda', with his eyes
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Jordan doing stuff
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Jordan is about to show us the view from the Octet's temporary digs
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Kenny, being silly.
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I think Kenny recongized someone in the chat
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Ben and Kenny - Blue Moon dance break
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continued...
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and continued...
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The guys checkng out the live chat
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continued....
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and continued...
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He's, like, 6'4''...
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Funny.
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Primo: Because you get tired of the old stuff.
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I love this video. I'm in shock that I waited so long to do this post! I'm still having issues with a massive headache from stopping my medication for the back injury I recently had, but it's time to suck it up and move on. That being said my plan today is to  fall back on my backup posting strategy:  YouTube quotes. They're more clever than anything I can think of.
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My favorite part is the harmonizing at about 2:14. So tight, it's awesome!
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Breakfast of Champions
I'm eating breakfast now. Chocolate Oatmeal and a good strong cup of the French Press coffee.  Seriously. If there was anything that would have gotten me to eat oatmeal as a kid, this would be it. And apparently dark chocolate is GOOD for you. Who-da thunk it?

I had another Octet related dream. The guys came by to help my New Media group with our final presentation. Not my actual group, but the people I wish I had gotten to work with. Think fun costumes, giant props and more people than I've ever made a presentation in front of in my entire life. We're talking up to 1,000. (I did speak in front of 800 people once, several years ago.)

The most helpful Octet guy was Parker, who assisted in the digital design of neckties including 3 bolo ties...yeah. I don't get it either. And the best part was the thumbs up from Parker as we went onstage. Parker approves. :) Jeez.
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Oldtet 05/12/2010
 
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Hey Octo-Fans, there are new Oldtet photos up in the gallery! Check 'em out. Photos courtesy of Brandon Swansfeger, whom I officially love.  Thanks for sharing. :)

On a weird side note, I dreamed that I had the Octet over for coffee (I have an 8 cup french press) and nibbles, and I got off on the wrong foot with one of them (won't say who) and he didn't really like me at all. This made me try extra hard to get him to like me, which made things WORSE. Not sure what that means, subconsciously, but it's a good thing it was only a dream. :)
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Have you ever had one of those days when every part of your life was crashing down around your ears, and then at just about midnight on April Fool's Eve, someone does something to make you smile? Well, I have. I'm not sure who it was, but someone sent me a YouTube link with 2 fantastic Octo-videos on it. I mean Old school videos. Like '03-04 Old School! And they made me smile. Not that everything is all great right now, but smiling in the midst of being absolutely lost and not knowing what to do next is pretty okay.
I've seen DoReMi done a few times by the Octet, on Sproul and in concert - videos of course. The guys Left to Right are "Fraulein" Robin Kong, Jordan "Liesl" Meyer, Rafa"Louisa" de Leon, Max "Frederich" Cowan, Parker "Kurt" Sims, Brian "Brigitta" Boshes and Josh "Marta" Chang. (Jason "Gretyl" Mabie left the group earlier in the semester for personal reasons, but is alive and well and still enjoys a good song.) Robin clearly steals the show as Fraulein Kong. All the guys are having fun, and the audience obviously loves it. (Looks like it was an audience request.) Also, according to the YouTube site, this was the first annual Unbuttened show. Good on you, men.
So, this is R. Kelly's Ignition Remix. I've never heard the original but this sounds good to me. I'm just enjoying the video. :D Can't stop smiling. "Bounce bounce bounce." 

Again OMGOMG, thanks for the link.
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Hello everyone,

First, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and I hope that 2010 is awesome for you readers and the Octet dudes, past and current.

So, I was going over the videos last week and I thought I'd focus on Octet reunion videos. There are only a few of them out there. The first one is a video of the 1998 Octet performing at the '08 annual reunion. (This one was the big 60th reunion.)I am told that there is a reunion every year in the Spring, and I don't think this bit is open to the public. They do sound awesome. My favorite part is Do Re Mi. There is a video of the 1999-2000 Octet singing Do Re Mi Sproul Style. It's also cool to see generations of Octet-dudes enjoying Octet music.

THE OCTET GET AROUND! This is at the Octet's 60th reunion. It's awesome to see 60 years of Octet history in one room, harmonizing! I think this is the coolest thing ever! When the cameraman zooms in at about 0:17 it shows some of the '02-'03 Octet, and Jason Mabie is one of the first dudes to make up to Octomobile!

I want to say that this is  Campanile, but I'm not 100% certain. In fact it's probably wrong. Wherever it is, it's got some great acoustics.
HELP ME RHONDA. I was watching this video and thinking that being in the Octet must be like being in a musical. One dude starts singing and everyone joins in, and knows the words, AND sings on key...and even does a little choreo. As the cameraman was panning around, I recognized a lot of faces from the different Octet groups. My suggestion, if anyone would care to listen to a fan, would be to get a tripod and set it up near the center of the room and pan around. Just a suggestion from a fan. More face, less back of the head...not that I mind looking at Josh's back. It's quite nice, actually. I did notice that I recognized a lot of the Octet dudes. Anyway, again - YAY Octet!
Can you believe it? An actual impromptu Octet video? Left to right: Jordan Meyer, Kenny Kamrin, Jaime Penido, Parker Sims and John Shumway. They are  from 2 different Octet groups, and sound great together. I only wish that the video was longer. Great luck in capturing the Octet-dudes.
Well, I've been up all night (again) and should probably get some sleep. I'm wondering how this is gonna work out once school starts up again (Jan 4th). Again, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy and prosperous 2010, and especially the Octet dudes who have given us fans such pleasure in sharing their talent. Best to you in '10!

-Peace from Seattle
-me.
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I know I usually post YouTube comments about the Octet, however on this video there weren't so many witty comments, so I thought I'd do some research-y stuff instead. (The posts may not come more regularly, but they will be more researched and better-ly written. Hahaha). From the posts I did learn from kennyk314 that this song was arranged by Jerome (or, as he's known on YouTube, the dude with the dark fro-ish hair and the 'harmonica') from a cd. And that Jerome may have been a music major.  Anyway, we all know from this and Nirvana Medley (which he also arranged) that the man has talent and had an AWESOME head of hair. Kudos to Jerome.

The guys' performance is awesome. I love the way the guys run on and off the stage. It's appropriately coltish for a college a cappella group. Jason's reeling in bit when they sang "fall for that old line" is great panto. The part where they pretend to hang themselves with their Oct-ties is particularly funny (though, I was worried about how realistic Jerome's 'hanging' was. Dude.) Rick and Parker dancing with each other was also so funny. Kudos to the guys and their performance.

This Medley is love. My personal story is that I dated a guy who was very much like the "How could you believe me" type. Here's the thing. The guy was a jerk, but he was soooo cute and could talk his way into and out of anything. I knew he was a jerk. I dated him and thought he had 'changed for me", which he didn't. He was a lying cheat. I was a fool. Point taken. I learned my lesson. And yet, I still love this song and the guys who sing it.

I believe I have mentioned before that I enjoy listening to the original versions of Octet arrangements in order to better appreciate what the guys can do, and since I couldn't find much in the way of YouTube quotes, I figured I would introduce Octet fans to the idea of comparison, especially for 'lesser known' songs...are the songs in Liar Medley lesser known? They are to me.

I thought I would be able to find the song that goes with the beginning. The "My mother used to say...." bit. I actually heard the song during an episode of Fibber McGee and Molly after I had heard the Octet version. I was sitting on my bed and knitting a shawl (Vanna's Choice Drop Stitch Shawl from Lion Brand. I used a worsted weight yarn and biggish 9? needles - it turned out fine in case you're wondering. And my gramma loves it!) when I heard the tune during a musical interlude between acts. It was the prelude to a sort of 'Beauty's Only Skin Deep' type monologue, a man towards his girlfriend/wife (memory not so good), basically saying the she used false advertising in the looks and personality department. This was waaay before I imagined the Octet blog, and Fibber McGee and Molly ran from the mid 30's to sometime in the 50's. I've heard every show, but unfortunately I am not able to locate that piece again. I'll try to go through the episodes and if/when I find it, I will post it to the site. It's quite funny.
So, the first song is called It's a Sin To Tell a Lie, by and it performed by both Fats Waller and the Ink Spots. Both take the songs into different directions. Fats Waller's version is very much jazzy/ragtime with some great piano 'riffs'. I'm not musical, so I am not sure that is totally correct. I do know that it charted at number 5 in 1935. Kudos to Fats Waller. You da man.
 
The Ink Spots version of "It's Sin To Tell A Lie" was recorded only a few years later in November 1941, and released in January 1942. I'm not sure how it did on the charts, probably not too well since I was unable to find it using internet search tools. If you listen it's a much different sound than the original recording but still quite effective, and the falsetto at the end just blows my mind. It does the Octet proud to be able to select from terrific music. Kudos Ink Spots.
The official title of the third song in the Liar Medley is "How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Loved You When You Know I've Been A Liar All My Life?" Yeah. It's officially the longest song title in an MGM movie,(which leads me to believe that there's an even longer title in another movie by some other movie company, but it's nearly dinner-time and I'm done doing reasearch) and that movie is pretty well known to movie buffs or people who watch AMC at all. Royal Wedding features this song as a duet between the a-maze-ing Fred Astaire (OMG Love) and Jane Powell (Love 2) Nice bit of arranging, changing the duet into a...um, don't know what it's called when you change a duet into not a duet. Someone musical may know. So, instead of it being accusatory by the woman and explanatory by the guy, it's full on  braggery-swaggery by the guy. And the Octet is totally a guy group- which is why I love them. Kudos Fred and Jane...
Kermit D. Frog and A Rat-woman...OMG HATE! If it were Miss Piggy, maybe, but it's a rat-woman. See how execution is so important! No Kudos Kermit and She-rat. In fact, your Kudos goes to everyone else. From me, you get a grimace. :S
Almost forgot...BoRhap is coming up on 2 Million views. I predict it will reach Two Mil by Friday. I'm often wrong, so I'll keep an eye out and keep you posted as well. Godspeed, Octet.

-k bye. Me.
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So first, this is what YouTubers had to say...
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Yes, I'm using gobears name in vain.
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Huh? Mystery, I guess.
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Learn something new every day.
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Who am I to judge?
This is an ever so slightly different Octet. Gone are Ben, Jerome, Rick and Kenny (graduated, I'm sure) and the new guys' are Josh, Brian, Robin and Max. Jordan is now the music manager. Parker and Jordan are the solos. And the song is *almost* a medley as it features a song by the Cranberries, which (pause) don't tell me...(longer pause) is called...(longest pause yet)...DREAMS...they snuck Dreams by The Cranberries into the song!

BTW, it's called I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) for those who are more, let's just say, anal about that kind of thing. And apparently to haver means to to talk nonsense. But, according to Jason (gobears236) they went for a visual concept, and 'haver' sounded like heave. I think it works. You can't really panto 'talking nonsense' in a musical act.

500 Miles is a song that knew before I saw this group. (I had posted somewhere that the Octet has increased my knowledge of music and musical styles quite a bit-from opera to alternative, doo wop to disco.) I like to compare the original with the Octet's a cappella version (to hear a song with only the harmonies), and it's amazing to note the differences. With some songs, it takes a while to figure out what they are singing, especially if there is any kind of lead in. 500 Miles might be one of those songs. 

Actually, recently, I've gotten to know many of the songs by seperating out the voice parts (to hear individual voices) that I've had to kind of turn my brain off so that I can hear the song as a whole, which is, I dunno, weird.

The funny guy doing the faux typing is Brian Boshes. He's an aspiring comic here in Seattle. His act has changed since I saw him, but he did comedy about Ikea, sexual harrassment, Wolverine (he had a hairstyle like Wolverine at the time)and touched on drugs a little. He is pretty funny and has a blog. If you google "BJ's Comedy Blog" he basically blogs about the process of becoming a comedian. It's all good.
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