Festival Reviews

Sydney Town Hall, 12 May 2003

...The Corporate Gold Award was given to The Idea Of North, an a cappella group (Trish Delaney-Brown, Naomi Crellin, Nick Begbie and Andrew Piper) that has just returned from the USA, having won the Harmony Sweepstakes Award. One of our finest jazz musicians, James Morrison, has been quoted as saying that The Idea of North “ … is the best contemporary a cappella group in the country!" There is little more that I can add to that. In terms of quality of ensemble and elegance of arrangements, this group’s work is in the same league as that of The Swingle Singers in their heyday. On top of that, they incorporate a wry, deadpan Australian sense of humor that made their performance immensely entertaining.

– David M Schwartz, Sydney Cabaret Convention, May 31 2003.

The Idea of North a four member a cappella group, were measured and absorbing. Like ABBA dipped in velvet, Trish Delaney Brown, Naomi Crellin, Nick Begbie, and Andrew Piper, were witty, in tune and certain contenders for an award.

– Lenny Anne Low, Sydney Morning Herald, , May 30 2003.

Festivals 2003
Adelaide Cabaret Festival, June 2003		Sydney Cabaret Convention, May 2003
Artspace, Adelaide Festival Centre, 11 June YOU haven't truly experienced music until you've heard Stayin' Alive done a cappella. The way this quartet tackled it, complete with in-sync disco dance moves, showed just why they are so highly regarded around the world. While gospel is the staple of the a cappella troupe, the Idea of North opted for only a few hymns – each done in beautiful harmony – instead putting their distinctive stamp on a range of familiar tracks (When She Loved Me from the "intense drama" that was Toy Story 2) and a few original compositions. The strength of the act manifested when they introduced an arrangement of It’s Alright With Me by their mentor, Australian jazz trumpet legend James Morrison – his rapid-fire vision could only be handled by the most adept vocalists. But it was when they had a bit of fun that the quartet was at its best. Apologies went out to Roy Orbison after Blue Bayou became an ode to a toupee. Andrew Piper is the heart of the act with his bass and vocal percussion. And if he is the heart, Nick Begbie is the personality, his outlandish demeanor bringing many a chuckle from the audience. – Lauren McMenemy The Advertiser, June 16, 2003.		Sydney Town Hall, 12 May 2003 ...The Corporate Gold Award was given to The Idea Of North, an a cappella group (Trish Delaney-Brown, Naomi Crellin, Nick Begbie and Andrew Piper) that has just returned from the USA, having won the Harmony Sweepstakes Award. One of our finest jazz musicians, James Morrison, has been quoted as saying that The Idea of North “ … is the best contemporary a cappella group in the country!" There is little more that I can add to that. In terms of quality of ensemble and elegance of arrangements, this group’s work is in the same league as that of The Swingle Singers in their heyday. On top of that, they incorporate a wry, deadpan Australian sense of humor that made their performance immensely entertaining. – David M Schwartz, Sydney Cabaret Convention, May 31 2003. The Idea of North a four member a cappella group, were measured and absorbing. Like ABBA dipped in velvet, Trish Delaney Brown, Naomi Crellin, Nick Begbie, and Andrew Piper, were witty, in tune and certain contenders for an award. – Lenny Anne Low, Sydney Morning Herald, , May 30 2003.



*best viewed when listening to 'the idea of north'...*