Customer Reviews

Spike & Co: Acappella

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After I saw the video of this production in my chorus class in high school, I was turned on to the beautiful harmonies that are a cappella music. Each of the groups have different styles and techniques that make them stand out (Ladysmith uses native african music while Rockapella uses humor, for example). Since I've gotten this cd, I've become a huge Rockapella fan, and a big fan of the Mint Juleps as well. I also loved how the different groups sang together on some of the songs: a once in a lifetime opportunity. This collection of some recognizable songs and some new ones will have you singing along, and make you realize the power and magic of a person's voice.

You'll love this CD! It almost has every style of a capella I've heard. My favorites were "Zombie Jamoree" by Rockapella and "Under the Boardwalk" by Rockapella and True Image. It's also a great tool in teaching people harmony, sing parts, and more. It makes you wonder why hasn't there been a sequal to the television production.

My high school music teacher used to show this PBS video in class at least once a year. Now, almost 10 years later, my friends and I are still hooked on this amazing album!! My favorite is Don't Let Your Heart (track 2) - I cannot listen to it without bopping along!

15 years ago I sat down with my dad and watched this crazy show on PBS. I had never really listened to any a Cappella music before, and I really wasn't to happy to start. But with only one TV what dad wanted to watch was what ruled the house. And what I heard from that show opened my ears up to a whole new realm of music.
Produced by Spike Lee the Do It A Cappella special showcased a number of modern and traditional A Cappella groups first in local settings (subways and bathrooms and such) where there was a natural echo, and then the same groups in an organized show at a music hall.
The most experienced of the performers, the Persuasions, with three tracks on the soundtrack, steal the show. You can really hear true pasion for their music in Looking for an Echo and display that they are masters of their craft with Pass on the Love. But the younger Mint Julips bring a fresh voice to A Cappella while showing clear influence from music greats like Jackie Wilson with their cover of Higher and Higher. And their finally team up with Lady Smith Black Mombaso teaming to sing the Lion Sleeps tonight is pure magic. Not to be overlooked in the recording sessions is capturing two great tracks from Rockappella while they were at their best, representing the best of purly new school A Cappella.
Fifteen years ago this show introduced me to a rich musical form and tradition, and showed there was still life in the medium. And fifteen years later this soundtrack still holds as one of my favorite albums. It is a great overall sampler for anyone to get introduced into A Cappella music and still acts as a great compilation of talent for those already familiar.

I recorded this on VHS way back in 1990 as a preteen and wore down the tape many years ago. It hit me today to do an Amazon search for this amazing soundtrack and there it was. This random, never shown again performance on PBS was truly great in my book and I'm so glad to finally have it in my collection. Now my little girl is going to hop and sing around the living room trying to imitate the high kicks and octaves of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. That was my first introduction to a now lifelong devotion to a remarkable group. I'm so happy to finally get to introduce this soundtrack to my family! And this is by far the best recording of the Lion Sleeps Tonight ever. Disney should've snapped this up and put it on their soundtrack of The Lion King movie.

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From this review, maybe a year after posting this, someone with the vhs let me buy their copy and also sent it over with it burned on a dvd. So yay. amazon hooked me up with this one. I'm pleased.

I had seen and taped the PBS special probably when it had originally aired. I had never thought to do a search for the cd on the net. My video taped copy is of extremely poor quality. I had written to PBS about a year ago providing details of the concert. They were unable to help me out. Tonight, 12-13-02, I decided to do a search on the net for the cd. Low and behold, I found it!! To this day, I am absolutely moved by all the performers that appeared on that show. I just ordered the cd tonight and am very anxious to "crank-up" my speakers and enjoy this fantastic cd. And who said Friday the 13th is bad luck....Enjoy!!

This CD is the reason I bought my first CD player 12 years ago, since you couldn't get it in vinyl. The crisp stirring harmonies cut right through to your soul, especially the brilliant rendition of "Lion Sleeps Tonight" and "Zombie Jamboree." After all these years, still one of my favorite CDs.

A unique blend of popular tunes set in a cappella harmonies!
There are hardly the words to describe how much I love this CD. I have played it a million times and sing boldly along with every cut. Rockappela is, with out a doubt, wonderful, but "Get Away Jordon" by Take Six will bring you to your knees with its soaring harmonies.

I have been looking for this album for about five years. It's not easy to find. This CD features top a cappella performers, each doing showcase versions of some of their best songs. If you appreciate vocal talent, doo wop, or a cappella at all, then you are denying yourself a great pleasure by not owning this CD. I know this sounds like overhype, but that's how much I love this album. PS: Spike Lee and Debbie Allen are not actually on this album. They were featured in the tv show that this album is taken from.

I have always been a fan of harmony; and a capella harmony in particular. This disk has it all! For years I looked for "Doo Wop Music" as a catagory in the record stores. No one knew what I was talking about. This is definitely all that AND a bag of chips! Zombie Jamborie by rockapella is incredible! If it doesn't get your motor running, then it flat can't get started! The Mint Juleps accompanied by Ladysmith Black Mambaso does the best rendition of "The Lion Sleeps" that has ever been done. Suffice it to say; if this is even a passing interest for you, then this is your album!