Do It Rockapella!

From the streets of New York to the sets of PBS, to HOLY CRAP THAT'S INCREDIBLE. Rockapella is (in order of longevity): Scott Leonard (tenor 1), Jeff Thacher (vocal percussion), Steven Dorian (baritone), Calvin Jones (tenor 2), Ryan Chappelle (bass). Some...

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stop me if i’m crazy

but did anyone else spend literal YEARS thinking “Change In My Life” was, like, some 70′s-80′s era chestnut that you TOTALLY heard once or twice somewhere else before you heard Rockapella do it, and then you found out later it was written FOR Rockapella and you were utterly gobsmacked?

anyone? is it just me?

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Jan 15 2018 Iridium (won’t be much, sorry guys)

Sorry about the wait for this pathetic excuse for a recap; I live with a crazy person and work’s been a little nuts, and the combination has had me coming home and falling over.

Anyway, I went to this show as a birthday treat to myself with a friend who was a ‘Pella virgin. I was SO NERVOUS the entire time that maybe she wouldn’t like it. (Does that ever happen to you guys? People hear you listening to Rockapella and they’re like “what the fuck is this crap you’re listening to? this sucks.” Because that’s happened to me a gazillion times and I feel AWFUL every time. Let me know if I’m not alone.) But I needn’t have worried because every time I glanced her way she was having a BLAST. I want to say Bryant even directed a line at her at one point and she had a minor freakout. You know, the kind where you duck your head and grin and turn purple. It was kind of adorable.

So, this was my first Mitchell-and-Bryant show. LET ME TELL YOU A THING. Y’all know I loved Steven. And even though I only had two Ryan shows, I thought he was majorly kickass. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MEMBER OF ROCKAPELLA THAT I DIDN’T THINK ROCKED MY HELLO KITTY SOCKS.

I honestly think Rockapella has never been better.

Mitchell and Ryan are both a GIFT. If you haven’t seen them in concert yet you MUST. OH MY GODS.

I still have to acquire a copy of Jams Vol. 1 but I totally can’t WAIT.

Unfortunately that’s all I got for you today. I will hopefully soon attend more shows, remember to take pics and notes, and get your questions answered by our guys. See you soon, and until then,

DO IT ROCKAPELLA!

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Do It! Rockapella is officially back!

So, I literally spent the last two years fighting my own brain, combined with an extended pout because of something that happened on this day, January 15, my birthday, at a Rockapella concert two years ago.

Wellp, I just got home from my second show since (the first was that 9/24 show you can find the recap to if you scroll a bit), and HOLY CRAP WAS IT AMAZING. I do not have a setlist because I wasn’t taking notes, and frankly I wouldn’t have had room to even if I’d wanted to (not much elbow room), but I will post as much of a recap as I can manage either tomorrow or Wednesday. As soon as I can gather a bit of a queue I will be posting videos again, and when I have a few minutes later this week I will dig up pretty pictures of the guys to use in my Happy Birthday posts.

I didn’t get to go up or anything, but this birthday was still pretty freaking cool, thanks to Rockapella. I missed my guys.

See y’all soon, and until then,

DO IT ROCKAPELLA!

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did anyone else TOTALLY MISS that Ryan and Steven are now “supporting members” of Rockapella (as in, Mitchell and Bryant, who I’ve never seen, have officially replaced them)? I’m confused as hell and currently too sick to investigate.

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A very happy birthday to Rockapella alumnus John K Brown!

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Just had to include this, I love it so much. Enjoy your holiday!

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Happy Hanukkah from Do It Rockapella!

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Merry Xmas from Do It Rockapella!

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NEW FROM ROCKAPELLA!! “Better 2gether”. DISGUSTINGLY catchy and the video’s pretty cute. Steven and Ryan are missing, don’t know why, but they are replaced here by Mitchell Rains and Bryant Vance (don’t ask me which guy is which visually, but Vance is the bass). Check for a very brief cameo from two someones we all know and love at 1:18!

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We here at Do It Rockapella! would like to wish a very happy birthday to our musical powerhouse, Scott Leonard!

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On Stage At Kingsborough, 9/24

So let me tell you, getting from my place in Westchester to the ass end of Brooklyn on public transport is a bloody TRIP, in all senses of the word. I took a bus to the train station, a train to Grand Central Terminal, a subway to Brighton Beach, and then another bus to the venue. Oy. And the second bus was so late I didn’t think I’d have time to get there, get my ticket (I had will-call like a dummy; I had plenty of time to have it mailed), find a bathroom, use it, and find my seat without missing something. But my anxiety is usually wrong. And it was this time too. I still hate late buses tho.

So I go in, and they’ve got two rows of folding chairs in front of the “front row”. My seat was folding-chair-front-row, center section, lefthand aisle (facing the stage). WOOHOO! I was psyched to see what my seatmate would be like (sometimes I make friends at shows) but he was an older dude who REEKED of stale tobacco. Lucky me.

I just happened to be twisting my body in my seat, looking around for anyone I knew, when I saw Scott walking in the back dressed fairly casually. I didn’t think anything of it until I saw him whip out the pitchpipe and give it a quiet blow, and then I was like, “Oh, Sun Brothers of Tampa Bay entering from the back.”

Sun Brothers

~L.O.V.E. - It was funny because about half the audience (which was pretty full) seemed to be looking at the stage to try and figure out where the music was coming from, whereas the rest of us had worked out fairly quickly that it was coming from behind us. They came down the aisles singing, and then gathered in front of the true front row, which of course was two rows behind me. I’m watching them the whole time, but some of the people in the folding-chair rows didn’t figure it out till pretty late. I also gotta mention the absolutely LUDICROUS orange shades the guys were wearing. Like, dude. Really?

~Across The Alley From The Alamo - This is a Mills Brothers one that I’d never heard and in fact had to Google. It made almost no impression on me, positive or negative, other than “This is taking up time that could be used for more exciting songs”. But then again, the place was FULL of old people, so I guess they had a better time with it than I did. I also noted at that time that I *think* Steven’s recently had a haircut, altho I could be crazy.

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End of “opener”. We got talked at by the Executive Director of Theater at the college venue. People were still being seated. I like to see the ‘Pella fill a room. It pleases me. I noted at this time that Ryan kind of reminds me (looks-wise only) of a cross between Macklemore and a friend of mine, who also happens to be named Ryan. I had a discreet giggle at this.

And because of the aforementioned (yet undescribed) horrifically embarrassing thing that hapened at my birthday show back in January, which was also my first Ryan show, I never got a chance to review him for this blog (because I was so upset I pretty much went off-blog for nine months). Let me just say quickly here that I was hella leery walking into that show, like I always am when there’s a new guy, but I had less than zero reason to be nervous. Ryan is awesome. He’s out here bassing like a fuckin champion. I love George to death, and Barry was totally the man, but Rockapella could not have made a better choice in their newest bass than Ryan. Holy hell, he rocked my Hello Kitty socks.

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Rockapella

~Rock Around The Clock/Tell Me Something Good (mashup) - I gotta say, this is so not my favorite. Tonight had this well beat as an opening number, and so did Draggin’ The Line, by a lot (I think I miss that one the most), and hell, even I Am Your Man. But whatever. This is our first look at an adorably scruffy Jeff, by the way.

~Jailhouse Rock/Shot A Man In Reno/something about a chain gang? - It got weirdly medleyfied, to my ears. I wasn’t the biggest fan of this bit. Also Calvin seems to get overheated very quickly. I was a bit concerned. Also this is where Scott noticed me from stage and grinned and pointed at me. I grinned back as hope blossomed in my heart.

~Dancing In The Street - Someone REALLY needed to tell the dude next to me that friends don’t let friends clap on one and three. Altho I can’t deny that I got weirdly distracted at one point and found myself clapping wrong for a moment, I quickly corrected myself.

~Just My Imagination/Imagine (mashup) - I love this one and always will, but it’s still a touch jarring to hear it with Calvin instead of John.

~Satisfaction - I was never a Stones fan at the best of times, and I am not a fan of this cover. I also gotta say, what with his boneless-leg dance style and whatnot, Scott’s thin-ass shiny pants are doing him NO favors, unless he wants us, y’know, lookin’. It felt awkward. I *may* elaborate by pm if you’re curious, but I’m sure as hell not doing it here. On an unrelated note, Ryan plays “big awkward puppy” very cutely.

~Another Saturday Night/Cupid (mashup)- Steven being adorable, as usual.

~My Cherie Amour - I love that the background lyrics for this are mostly in French. I did ask Scott afterwards about making them available, because I can’t read their lips behind their mics, and their pronunciation is a bit less than perfect.

Aaaaaaaaaand then we were told that there’s a new ‘Pella vid coming! So let’s all keep our eyes peeled for that; I’ll have it up the instant I see it.

~Paper Doll - Okay. This tune is ridiculously catchy. My fave things about it are the background lyrics and Jeff’s drumming; the man’s a genius. But the whole premise of the song is SO objectifying (”I’m going to buy a paper doll that I can call my own/ a doll the other fellas cannot steal/ and all the flirty, flirty guys with their flirty, flirty eyes/ will have to flirt with dollies that are real”) that every time I hear it, it makes me cringe so hard it almost makes a noise. Okay, rant over. Very much enjoyed Jeff’s cutely playing “air drums” on and with his leg.

~Blame It On The Boogie - I think the only choreography I like better than that on this song is that on Bang. Ryan ROCKED the bass solo, which is only to be expected, but of course I’ll need a few more shows to get used to him.  I noticed a kid a few rows back nearly asleep at this point, which I found pretty unbelievable. But that’s me. I spent a good portion of this song really wishing I could smack Scott’s butt. Don’t tell him I said that, tho. ~_^

~Jingles - I actually took down the jingles in order this time around, so no one has to go from memory if they’re curious (altho knowing ‘Pella fans, there’s probably a few of us who *could*):

Taco Bell

Budweiser

Almond Joy/Mounds

Today show

Where In The World Is Matt Lauer

Al, The Weather Man

Preparation H

“In the jungle of antifungal...”

Dr. Pepper

Folgers (I sang along with this one)

Let me tell you, Ryan was having WAY too much fun with the “N - B - C!” It was ADORABLE. I wanted to pinch his cheeks, he was being so precious.

So now we’re at the moment of truth, and I’ve been grinning up at Scott - WHO KNOWS I AM THERE - the whole time, and of course he walks right past me to a woman a few rows back, who refuses his invitation because of an injured foot. But there’s an older lady a few rows behind her, who is waving and pretty much coquetting at Scott from her seat, and he makes a beeline. And here I am, been following the ‘Pella around for THIRTEEN YEARS THIS MONTH, and even after what happened at my bday show I’m tryna have SOME level of chill, but I guess it would have paid to wave at him or something. She says to him, and I quote, “I’m exhausted; I’ve been winking at you for the past 45 minutes.” ARGH. I guess I’mma have to tell you guys about that last show sometime, aren’t I? But not now; it still twists my stomach to think about it. Literally. Thanks, anxiety.

ANYWAY, it was an old lady named Fran, who it turned out had actually gone up on stage with Rockapella two years previous AT THE LAST SHOW I HAD ATTENDED AT THAT SAME VENUE, AND SHE’D EVEN BEEN SITTING IN MY ROW THAT TIME. Now, yes, I get frustrated that after thirteen years I haven’t had a turn, but whatever. Shit happens. This chick couldn’t sing (Stand By Me), could barely dance (Ain’t Too Proud To Beg), and gets TWO turns? Yes I’m infantile; I’m a day care teacher. I deal with babies and you kinda gotta think like one to handle one. So. Yeah. Much disappointment.

~Stand By Me/Ain’t Too Proud To Beg - Let me tell you, this chick was about to EAT STEVEN ALIVE. It was kind of terrifying. I feared for his virtue. She also removed her scarf at one point and put it on Calvin. Had I been the guys I would have had no idea how to deal with her; she was like that elderly aunt who’s had one glass too many but knows that because of her age she can get away with pretty much any crazy thing she chooses to say/do at the dinner table. And I’d be saying that even if I weren’t crazy envious. They’ll be back in NY in a few months; I’ll have another shot. She was just nuts.

~Thrift Shop/I Just Want To Celebrate (mashup) - Had to Google that second one, but that’s okay. Gave me a giggle because of my aforementioned perception of Ryan looking a little like Macklemore, and also because Rockapella doesn’t really cuss, so “This is SUPER awesome!” ::snicker::

~Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?

~Up On The Roof/What A Wonderful World - Okay. This is always lovely. The boys go off-mic to prove that those beautiful voices are actually theirs. But for this tactic to work the audience has to play along AND FUCKIN BE QUIET. I’m positive that none of y’all would ever do this, but I just feel the need to say: Do NOT sing along when the boys are off-mic! Literally half the audience at this show must have been singing along with the “Don’t know much about” bit, and I was so annoyed I could have SPIT. Knock yourselves out while the guys are being amplified, I know I sure do (and Jeff has joked on me for it ^_^), but when they’re off-mic? SHUT. UP.

And then they made like they were leaving and a bunch of us stood up and someone started hollering “One more! One more!” And so...

~Use Ta Be My Girl/My Girl (mashup) 

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And that was the show, friends and neighbors! I got the answers to a couple of questions, I fussed about not getting a turn (but nicely, I’m not a dick), I may have gotten the background lyrics to Ma Cherie Amour posted (I’ll have to check) and I did all the same traveling, just backwards, to get home in one exhausted piece, and then spent the next six days suffering terribly from a sinus infection that has yet to work itself out.  But I’ll be sure to be at whatever NY shows come up next!

Until next time, folks, Do It Rockapella!

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Just saved the draft of the beginning of my recap/review. I haven’t even gotten into the “Rockapella” portion of the show (they did a “Sun Bros.” ‘opener’) and it’s already pretty freaking long. I’m gonna take a break and get back to it throughout the day, and try to have it done by tomorrow, but just so you know I’m now aware that promising “this weekend” was probably foolish because there’s SO MUCH of it and I’ve actually got things to do this weekend. (If I don’t practice for Monday’s rehearsal I think my orchestra conductor might stab me with his baton, and frankly I’d deserve it.) But work is indeed getting done! I haven’t forgotten or gotten a sad or randomly panicked and hidden in my closet. ^_^

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interim weirdness

I will def be posting about last weekend’s show this weekend, that’s a promise. But I totally just had to post this now:

I had a dream last night that Scott made me a birthday scavenger hunt over this giant building that I totally didn’t recognize, that was full of my coworkers and children on a field trip (I do daycare), and at the end of the scavenger hunt was supposed to be a ‘Pella show. Sadly, I never made it. My dreams are cruel.

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9/24 in Brooklyn: Answers!

I’m deathly ill (yet again; my workbabies are hella germy and don’t understand mouth-covering yet) so I’mma keep this short and sweet.

~Can we expect a new CD of Hits Like You’ve Never Heard ‘Em? From Jeff: Possibly. This is not a yes or a no, so don’t get excited. He says maybe a live one. We ought to let them know not to cut all the between-song talking on this one. If there is one. ^_^

~How is Ryan’s last name correctly pronounced? From Ryan: Like the minichurch. “Chapel”. Spelled like comedian Dave Chappelle, def not pronounced the same. 

...and Scott kindly agreed to make the background lyrics for Ma Cherie Amour available, probably on the website. Good, ‘cause that was making me nuts.

Anyway, wish me good health so I can write up this recap, and until then, Do It Rockapella!

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Post-concert crash

I tell you, these shows are like drugs. Now that it’s over and I’m home, I’m useless. Well, I suppose the slowly-encroaching sinus infection and everpresent arthritis (and 2 1/2-hour trip home on a bus, a subway, a train, and a cab) didn’t help matters.

I have a complete recap/review and answers to questions, and nothing horrible happened that will make me hide for months on end. ^_^ I may be a week or so posting, tho, because I’m dead right now and busy tomorrow, and workdays are good for nothing with me. I’ll try to get the answers posted tomorrow evening, tho.

Anyway, until next time, Do It Rockapella!

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Leaving for Rockapella soon!

If there are any more questions for the ‘Pella, I need to have them by 3:30 (precisely two hours from the time of this post), because I’m leaving the house at 4.

::sigh:: Public transport from here to Brooklyn on a weekend is a NIGHTMARE.

Hope to hear from you!

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On Stage At Kingsborough 9/24

I’ll be there, will you? Hopefully this time I won’t do anything so embarrassing that I fail to post a recap and review and then go off-blog for MONTHS. (My idiotic gaffe at my birthday concert back in January was REALLY THAT BAD. Please just trust me on this.)

Anyway, if anyone who can’t be there (or is generally starstruck around insane talent) has a burning query for our boys, send it along and I will be happy to ask it for you! Asking rules are:

Be specific as to who you want asked. If you want the writer of a certain song and you’re not sure who wrote it, ten to one I either know or can find out.

Make it something that can be answered in three sentences or less. The ‘Pella will be just off a performance and tired.

Inappropriate questions will be ignored. Use your best judgement, but if what I read makes me go “...really?” I’m not going to pass it along.

If you ask a question I already know the answer to (someone once asked me what “Shemibos” meant and I’d already asked John that at a previous show), I will answer you via the blog immediately.

So, yeah. I will be taking questions until, say, three-ish on the 24th, so anyone with thoughts has nine days to get ‘em in. ^_^