The Idea
of North - Debut CD Release
reviewed by Kate Swadling for ORAL MAJORITY - The
Sydney A Cappella Association Newsletter
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The Idea of North are Megan Corson, alto;
Nick Begbie, tenor; Andrew Piper, Bass; and Trish Delaney-Brown, soprano.
They thank the Canberra School of Music for bringing them together. Their
jazz background certainly shows in their harmonies, arrangements and ability
to swing, yet they have sensibly avoided too many jazz vocal standard
arrangements and recorded a broad spectrum of materials. This group was
very impressive live as singers and performers at the October 'Club A
Cappella' at Kinsela's and a little of that energy is lacking in some
of the tracks, as often happens in recordings. However, it is good to
have the time to enjoy some of the beautiful arrangements they have come
up with. My favorite track on this album is Fragile, which would be well
known to Sting fans. Other tracks I particularly like are 'Sitting in
Limbo', the Jimmy Cliff classic; a couple of James Taylor songs, and one
entitled 'The Gulf War Song' which has very interesting lyrics (I'd be
far too old to sing them);
'The 23rd Psalm', Bobby McFerrin style;
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and 'Trouble' written by Harry Connick Jnr.
I like the addition occasionally of percussion and Megan (gorgeous voice)
and Trish both take a solo song accompanied only by bass. The opening
track 'Sweet Sweet Spirit' is a great gospel song and the arrangement
works really well, but could be improved by some impassioned belting.
I'm sure they can do it. There are 14 tracks listed, but I was pleasantly
surprised to hear 'My Hat it has Three Corners' when I was just about
to switch off the amp. If I hadn't heard them perform this live, I would
have though they had done some wonderful tricks in the studio as they
swap words for weird and wonderful sounds and slow down and speed up with
incredible skill. I can't write this without putting in a word for the
fabulous bass singing of Andrew Piper. Apart from his spot on pitch, Andrew
also adds some very percussive sounds in a deceptively effortless manner.
He also plays fluglehorn on 'My Funny Valentine'. All in all, a very impressive
debut.
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The Idea of North
- Debut CD Release
reviewed by Martin Fawkes for RADIO RADIO - Melbourne
Arts Magazine
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SILK! This multi gender quartet
specializes in tight jazzy a cappella of a similar vein to Take 6, Boyz
II Men and Manhattan Transfer. Disciplined, clean, smooth stuff. The Idea
of North mixes spirituals like 'Sweet Sweet Spirit' and
'That Lonesome Road' with romantic
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covers such as Rogers and Hart's
'My Funny Valentine' and Sting's 'Fragile'. The voices are not steroid pumped
or over polished in the way that makes Take 6 so stunning, but easy to tire
of. Fluid and tasteful without overkill or overstatement, a welcome combination.
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