Rockapella On A Boat
Carnival Glory: Ebony Cabaret Room
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
While we were all line to enter the Ebony Cabaret Room, we were asked to look at the songs listed and place a tally mark beside 3 of them (or all 3 on one song, whatever). All of the songs that were listed were those that Steve knew, which protected the guys from having to remember some old school stuff. It also included Christmas songs and some song that I had never seen or heard before. I don't actually remember what I chose, but I do know that I tend to request old songs when I have the opportunity to do so, because I miss those. We chose seats that were closer to the stage this time.
We heard some announcements, which included schedule changes for Karaoke and the cocktail party, which would both take place on Saturday afternoon. Stacey won a prize of champagne for booking the first cruise. (Yay, Stacey!). Someone else (Laura) got a bottle of wine, and my notes state that she was celebrating her 185th "store". I don't know if that should be "show", but congrats on whatever, Laura. JT stated that he tried to instill casual dress, but it didn't work. So they were all in their suits again. This was also a private show for the Rockapella Group. They brought the easel with the song list onto the stage.
A Punk
Scott said that this is a one of a kind show, all by request. "The key to Rockapella is this: (he held up a pitch pipe). If the key is too low, the Bass Man can't reach his notes. If the key is too high, Blondy can't sing the high notes."
Dance With Me
Scott tried to get us to sing "Diggity Don Pow Dm Dm", saying that the orchestra usually does it. The boat was rocking a lot during the chorus. Whoa! Rockin' the Boat!
Scott said, "Who has the Sharpie?" He needed to check off the songs as they went along. Karla offered hers.
Scott: "Karla's prepared..and it's in red...just like a teacher."
Shambala
Scott: "If we don't stand in the right place, we can't sing." (explaining why they were all confused about their formation between songs, since this is not their regular set list).
Scott then said that they had a new song for us: "It's ready." He looked at Steve.
Steve: "I'm ready." (I hope so! He wrote the thing).
Malibu Grand Prix
SD: "It was originally a country song and I rolled it up good."
Scott did the jig at one point.
Scott and JT almost fell down due to the boat rocking.
He turned around and I said to JT, "Hi!"
Ellie My Love
Something got messed up, but I can't read my notes. No, I was not drunk this time. There was just too much going on!
Wochenend und Sonnenschein
This is the song that I didn't know that was listed on the board. Although it didn't get the most votes, the guys did it for us because most of us don't get to see them in Germany. Anyway, in the 1930s, the Comedian Harmonists adapted "Happy Days Are Here Again". Rockapella decided that if they did this song in Germany, it would "endear us to them, we could pander to the German way," according to Scott. Yes, they sang in German! Steve needed the lyrics, and Scott was having trouble with the key change and the German. I like the oompahs during Geo's solo. The title of the song translates to "Weekend in Sunshine" in English. At one point, they sing "Meine Kleiner Gruner Kaktus", which means "My little green cactus." Scott said that they worried that the Germans would say, "These ugly Americans are singing my song (mein leid)!" But, of course, the German fans loved it. And now I do, too.
Here Comes The Sun
Scott: "When George joined the group, we did a record called "Smilin'. I arranged it for George. Isn't it perfect for him?"
Scott informed us that the Boston Pops tunes at frequency A441, and the pitch pipe is at 338/339, so it's an adjustment when they sing with them.
Jingle Medley (Scott calls this "Commercials")
Scott asked if we wanted him to do the banter. But a bunch of people just wanted to hear the songs. "Well, you've all seen this, so let's do it." He dedicated the medley to the couple celebrating their 25th anniversary.
Scott: I remember these commercials...well I don't remember them, but we did it.
Scott did some gangsta rap dancing. I don't remember that being part of the show, but it was funny.
JT informed us that he heard "Mounds" while on the road. He also said that he heard Rockapella singing "It's A Small World" during the trailer for "Gnomeo and Juliet" when he was in his stateroom. Scott said, "Rockapella can only be handled in 15-second intervals."
Then Scott couldn't remember what came next in the lineup, because he wasn't saying his script. "Oh. NBC Today Show!"
Scott regarding "Where in the World": It used to be Matt Lauer's song everywhere, and he asked for a cooler song than that. Al's song, they don't play that anymore, but it has a good intro.
Scott stared at Geo for the last NBC notes.
Scott then talked about the different conferences that they would play. At medical conferences, they would wear lab coats and say "4 out of 5 doctors recommend...(and Barry would spit out jargon." He asked, "Where did you get Neosporin? Not in the butt? Then what did I have?!" The ringworm was actually sung for a feminine hygiene product. (O.M.G.!)
They would write the lyrics by changing the real words and they'd read the teleprompter.
Silver Bells.
Scott dedicated the song for Kathleen and Jonathan's anniversary. (If I got your names wrong, I'm sorry!).
Scott shared that he is impressed by all that Steve has learned, and he corrects them sometimes. "He keeps us on our...you know." They ended the song with a "Happy Anniversary, Kathleen and Jonathan." Nice!
Rockapella will be doing 7 shows with the Boston Pops during the Pops' Christmas Tour. I wish they'd do that out west, but that's not happening.
Zombie Jamboree
Steve doesn't know the choreography. They stopped the song because Steve was in a different key.
Steve: "My key is A-flat. All of my songs are written in that key."
"Scott-o-san" worried about his sciatica during the high note.
George and John jumped around in a circle during the back-to-back part.
People Change
They started, then they stopped. Scott can't stand in the right place. The boat rocked during the song, which they did end up finishing.
Ooh, there is a new DVD in the works!
Rockapella was asked to name their favorite songs.
Scott: The newest song, so "Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time", as well as "Paper Doll."
John: "This Christmas Day"
Steve: "Merry Christmas Darling"
Why didn't I write down Jeff's and Geo's? Did they not say?
I'll Hear Your Voice
The song was dedicated to Carol, whom had recently lost someone. Scott almost fell down. Lots of people were crying (not at Scott's falling).
Papa Was A Rolling Stone
Awesome, awesome vocal percussion section!
That was way cool, and very much worth taking this trip. Thank you, Rockapella, for giving us this special show!
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