Hey Octet fans - it's time for something exciting and new. The UC Men's Octet Archives have just hit YouTube, and the archivist (an Octet Alumni) is sharing classic Octet music with YouTube. Enjoy "Wimoweh (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)" below, and then click on the link (even further below) to enjoy other Octet classics. I am SO excited for this to happen, and I hope you will enjoy all the music to come from this INCREDIBLE group.) Also, I am going to announce the official 2013-2014 Octet as soon as I know, for sure, who are in the group. I KNOW that we have 2 Kyles, and one of them is an alumni, and American Idol contestant. Oh, yeah. It's gonna be a good year.
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Hey Octet Fans! 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. I was wondering, with the tons of Octet standards and new songs which are arranged by each years groups, how the songs were picked for each of the Octet cds. So I asked Brandon Swansfeger from the 01-03 Octet, and this was the reply I got. "The first two criteria are quality and popularity. The next factor is whether the song has been on a previous recording, and if so, how long has it been since that recording was published (we try to keep things fresh and new). Lastly, we try to get as many people doing solos as possible, but sometimes the first three criteria limits who can solo on each cd so that not everyone has a recorded solo." Makes sense to me. Now, go and head on to Brandon's YouTube channel to check out his videos and show him some Octet-love. (He solos in "Somebody's Crying" on his page and has an incredible voice!) Oh, and you might want to pick up the Octet's most recent CD, "High Octane", which features the '03-06 Octet. Information on how to purchase the cd is on the Links page.
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. Nirvana Medley is one of the two videos I use to introduce people to the Octet. I think it showcases their talent and humor + the youngsters love their hippy music. (Just kidding.) And, of course, Jason's comments make it even funnier. Okay, confession time. I never called Jason Mabie "the guy who looks like Jack Black". I would never stoop that low...well, okay, around my house Jason has been called "Nirvana Guy" by the roomies. Guess who started that. And then, a couple of months ago he bacame "Jaaaayson." Buy you'll read more about that later. Is that better or worse than Jack Black? So, a few of the Octet have passing resemblances to other well known (and not so well known) celebrities. We can discuss that at a later date, as well. On to other business...I'm thinking of taking down or revamping the Forum. My thoughts are that either 1.) People don't want a forum 2.) People are shy or 3.) No Octet fans have seen the page, and looky-loos don't post. So, if you're an Octet fan: please post.
Another thought is that there are too many topics, or what I'm posting is too weird/boring/whatever. Hmmm...feedback is awesome. Tell me what you want and I'll do my best to oblige. Till next time. Tiff-a-nater |