Pella on TV in NYC

With the holidays going on, Rockapella is pretty much all over the place.  Just not in California.  I'm not bitter.


Here they are on CBS2 in New York, singing "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town".  Someone needs to tell JKB that the words are "rummy tum tums" and not "runny tum tums".  Because the latter just sounds like a cute way of describing a stomach ailment.  ;)

Rockin' on BetterTV

Rockapella was on BetterTV in Connecticut yesterday, promoting their holiday show in Ridgefield.  Here's a clip of them performing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", complete with Scott's whistling, JT's sleigh bells, and the choreography that I can't resist doing whenever I hear them sing this song.


The viewer is getting cut off by the wide margins on my page, so here's a link so that you can actually see everyone at once.


I love them.  :)

We Can't All Travel By Bubble

June and I went to Hollywood after work and had some dinner at Dillon's before going to pick up some wine she ordered.  We then walked back to the Pantages Theatre to see "Wicked" on opening night!


I resisted buying a beautiful t-shirt for $48.00, stared and stared at the merchandise (which included a cool pen that lights up like a flashlight with a silhouette of the logo).  Then I finally broke down and bought "The Grimmerie", a book I had been eyeing since my first Wicked show.  Our seats were on the orchestra level, left center, row Z.


June had seen the show previously once, from the balcony.  She didn't really get the play at that time because she couldn't see the facial expressions.  She had recently read "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire, on which this play was based.

• The first piece didn't really impress me that much because the chorus seemed a little bit off in its intonation, and I was worried that this touring company would not make me as happy as the semi-permanent cast that I had seen in this theatre during its long run.
• The feeling of worry went away, though, as soon as I heard Katie Rose Clarke (Glinda) sing.  She sounded just plain beautiful.  
• Then Mamie Parris (Elphaba) opened her mouth to sing "The Wizard and I" and I was blown away. She has an amazingly strong and wonderful voice!  
• Ms. Clarke also impressed me throughout the show with her comedic skills.  She tossed her hair ("toss toss") with her back bent all the way with her body at almost a 90-degree angle, and it made me giggle every time.  It also made me wonder how she could be so limber and not hurt herself.  She must do yoga.
• I also liked Kyle Dean Massey's (Fiyero) performance.  I didn't really like the one that I saw the last time I saw the show, so I was pleased that Mr. Massey did such a fine job.  He actually made me feel sympathy for his character. 
• The Wizard was played by understudy Kevin McMahon.  I never really like the people that play the Wizard, but since I like Mr. McMahon and still don't really like the Wizard, I guess that I just don't like the role.  
• The flying monkeys still creep me out.  I doubt this will change.  EVER.
• The sets were great, and I didn't see any difference in them from the ones they used when this was the house show in the theatre for 2 years.  
• Every time I see this show, I notice something I'd never seen before.  This time, it was in "Dancing Through Life".  Fiyero's dance moves are the same as those of the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz!
• June now understands the show more, and has linked stuff from the book into the show, and loves the show now that she's listened to the CD a lot of times and actually understands the show.

On our way back to June's house, we had a bit of trouble getting home, due to very strong winds that hit So Cal.  It then took me 45 minutes to get home from her house; the drive normally takes me 15 minutes.  The freeway was getting too scary with the wind pushing the cars sideways, so I exited the freeway and had more trouble due to fallen trees on every street I encountered.  When I finally got home and closed my gate, the power went out.  My power was out for 24 hours (I was one of the lucky ones).  Cindy came by to loan me her ice chest (what a good friend!), and then concluded that the wind was my fault, because I took home the tornado from the show.  Sorry about that, folks, especially to those that still don't have power, 6 days later.

Anyway, if you like "Wicked", go see this show.  The leads are fantastic!

Pella + Pops soooooon!

I am so totally excited about this! 5 more days!!!

Rockapella/Boston Pops Deliver Gift of Song Tied Up In Glittering Bows | News | Rockapella

The Sing-Off Season 3 Finale

So now I'm avoiding Twitter and Facebook in case there are any spoilers.  Because tonight is the Live (on the East Coast) finale!


As you recall, I was torn last week, and decided not to vote.  I held to that only because I totally forgot about it. 


Group Performance: "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson
I like that sexy, slow opening.  I also like how the Aires finally get to sing directly with girls. :)  That was a pretty cool arrangement.


Pentatonix spent their charity time with The Trevor Project, which provides help to bullied kids. 


Pentatonix: "Without You" by David Gueta feat. Usher
I didn't really like that opening.  This is now the time where I wish that they could have done last week's show live, so that we could hear them without any fancy editing to influence our votes.  No, I don't mean that they do their songs over, but sound levels and such make a strong impact on performances.  Here, it's a negative effect for me.  Don't get me wrong: I like Pentatonix.  I just wonder how much of the other shows were more "produced" than tonight.


A little ditty from Vocal Point: "The Way You Look Tonight"
Oh, Will Arnett lookalike, how I've missed you.


Urban Method donated food to the Sickle Cell Foundation.


Urban Method: "Stereo Hearts" by Gym Class Heroes feat. Adam Levine
I'm again wondering about production, but not as much as with Pentatonix.   


The Dartmouth Aires helped out Saving Strokes.


Dartmouth Aires: "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf
Michael's just awesome, and he's a good guy, too!  Awwww.  Wait.  Who's that girl?  She looks familiar.  Oh, that's Amy from Delilah.  How nice of her to join them!  


Now it's time for the groups to sing with the regulars.


Pentatonix with Nick Lachey: "Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)" by 98 Degrees
I like how NIck said that they were the boy band that *didn't* dance.  I was going to type that they sound great, then I heard a bad pitch, and then a bad chord.  But they redeemed themselves.  


A little ditty from The Deltones: "Edge of Glory"


Urban Method with Sara Bareilles: "Gonna Get Over You" by Sara Bareilles
They're kind of overpowering her sound, and hello, she's the LEAD.  


 A little ditty from Afro-Blue: "Let Your Hair Down" 
I think that Shawn would have sung with Afro-Blue if they had made the finals.  That would have been awesome.  Alas, no.


Dartmouth Aires (with the studio audience), conducted by Ben Folds: "Not the Same"
See?  Shawn's not singing with any of the groups!    Instead, we're being told what to do by Ben, and I heard a bad note from Mr. Folds (ssshhh...don't tell him I said so).    Shawn isn't even singing in this song.  


A little ditty from the Yellowjackets: "And Then It Goes Back" (or something)


All-Girls: "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin
Go, Girls!!!  That was cool.  Except for that last weird chord.  Loved seeing all of the diva-ness.


A little ditty from North Shore: "The Lazy Song"


All-Boys: "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen
Awww. why aren't they all wearing sexy Springsteen jeans?  I would have liked that.  I like hearing the leads together.  Great job!  That was my favorite of the night.


A little ditty from Delilah: "Grenade"  She sang that while siting down?!  Wow.


Folger's commercials without Rockapella during "The Sing-Off"?!  Sacrilege!


Smokey Robinson with Afro-Blue: "You've Really Got A Hold On Me"
See, even Smokey wants to sing with A-B.  That was a nice balance between Smokey and the group.   They could be his new Miracles.  :)


A little ditty from The Collective: "I Will Survive"


Results


3rd place: Urban Method
Can we please lay the "rapapella" word to rest for now?  Or forever, whatevs.  You know, because I'm not the one that coined the word.  ;)


Urban Method's Swan Song: "Coming Home" by Diddy Dirty Money & Skylar Grey
Aw, she's crying.  It's really difficult to sing like that.


Now we get to look back on the journeys for the top 2.


The Dartmouth Aires' Michael needs a recording contract.  If not with the Aires, then some other way, because the man has major talent.  


Pentatonix is just too cool and innovative for words.  So what were they called when they were just a trio?  Did they ever say that?  Kristi looks like she's going to cry no matter what happens.


1st place: Pentatonix
Congratulations!!!


New Champions Pentatonix song: "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor


So the Aires don't get a swan song?  Bummer.


Next week:  Sing-Off Christmas, Live


I don't think that I'll be blogging about that one, so until next season...Sing.  Sing a song.

MU-PPETS! MU-PPETS!

I've been excited about "The Muppets" ever since I heard that it was in production, so this year's choice for our Friday-after-Thanksgiving movie was a no-brainer.  Brady, V, Bro, Linda and I went to the theater near my parents' house to see the show.  There was so much traffic that we ended up late for our first time choice, but since it was starting pretty much every hour, we just waited for the next one and passed the time by walking around the adjacent strip mall.   We were able to get some good seats when we finally got into the theater, and settled in for some Muppet action.  Whoo Hoo!

• I like Walter.  He's sincere and such a big fan, like the rest of us, and believes in them, like the rest of us.  He also faints like many of us would probably do if we met Kermit.  I agree with another post on a website that he looks like Ted Mosby from "How I Met Your Mother", which cracks me up because his co-star is Jason Segel, just as Ted's portrayer, Josh Radnor co-stars with J.S. on his show.
• V thinks that Amy Adams is perfect casting for this movie, and I agree.  I just didn't like her songs.   I did like her singing in "Enchanted", so her voice is not an issue for me.  I think it's just that those particular pieces did not resonate in me.
• The new songs that I really enjoyed the most, though, were Kermit's "Pictures In My Head" (made me cry), and Gary and Walter's duet "Man or Muppet". 
• I loved, loved, loved the cover songs of "Smells Like Teen Spirit", "Forget You" and "We Built This City".   "The Whistling Caruso" was very well done.
• Not really a cover since they changed the words: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by the barbershop quartet was made with awesomesauce.  
• The classic Muppets songs made me very happy:  "The Muppet Show" theme song made me smile, "Rainbow Connection" had me in sentimental tears, and "Mah Na Mah Na" got me bouncing like it was supposed to do.  
• The chemistry between Kermit and Miss Piggy is still palpable, and their story was a very current one, featuring Miss Piggy's need for independence vs. her need to be with Kermit.
• The cameos were perfect!  I loved who played Miss Piggy's secretary at Vogue Paris, I loved who played Walter's human mirror, and I loved the people working the marathon.  And, WHOA!  Dude sitting on the park bench in the opening number!  
• A-NI-MAL! A-NI-MAL!  I heart him very much, and I loved that he had his own little storyline.  I want those Angel and Devil Animals.
• I had forgotten how much The Muppet Show loved to tear down that 4th wall, but remembered when I saw them do it again here.  "...this will be a really short movie."  I giggled for a while after that (then started to cry when they started reciting the lines from their theme song).

We all loved the movie.  I need to get the soundtrack.  I need to get the DVD when it gets released.  I need to get those Animal Angel and Devil dolls if they make them.

The Sing-Off 3.8

It's the Final Four.  


Group Performance: Mash-up of a bunch of songs by Gwen Stefani, The Verve, Katy Perry and The Who


I'm really annoyed by Nick saying that a challenge is "all-vocal".  What the hell else would it be on this show, Nick?!  OK, I know that he's reading a teleprompter, but he needs to say something to the writers of this show, or else I'll continue to think he's an idiot.


First Challenge:  Master Mix of 2 songs with different tempos and styles


Pentatonix: "Forget You" by Cee-Lo Green and "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson
The key of the Cee-Lo is too low for the female lead, because she had an intonation problem in her solo.  I don't really like the chord progression of the KC song.  I like the way the lyrics in the mash-up mix, but I don't like the music.  I do agree that the rhythm section was great, though.


Urban Method: "Hot in Here" by Nelly and "Fever" by Peggy Lee


Ooh, those are really differently styled songs.  Let's see how they do.  I like that!  Go, girls with the "I wanna take my clothes off" move!  Sexy.  See?  Sara agrees with me.  


Afro-Blue: "I Believe I Can Fly" by R Kelly and "Fly" by Nicki MInaj & Rihanna
A little trouble with those opening chords, guys.  It got a lot better, though, and turned into the lush jazz that I'm used to from them.  The rap kicked butt, Mariah!


Dartmouth Aires: "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga and "Sympathy for the Devil" by the Rolling Stones
So what's with the palm leaf fans?  Is that a devil thing?  I like the pause before the battle between the leads.  Very cool.  


My pick for this set:  Urban Method


Second Challenge: Judges' Pick


Pentatonix: "Dog Days are Over" by Florence + the Machine
I like how they start the song slower than I'm used to, then the beat picks up.  They did this song really well, and redeemed themselves from the first song.  19 year olds?!  Wow, that's incredible.  


Urban Method: "All of the Lights" by Kanye West
I don't think it's much of a challenge to give a hip-hop song to the hip-hop group.  Oh, they want to combine talents.  I see.  Ooh, what was that spacey sound that they all did together?  That was neato.  


Afro-Blue: "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke
That's a great choice of song for them.  Kristi's voice is really smooth and comforting, I just sit back and smile when I listen to it.  Sara, if y'all didn't confuse them along the way, you sure as hell confused me.  Thank you for accepting who they are, even if it's just for today.  


Dartmouth Aires: "Shout" by The Isley Brothers
This should be fun!  But, wait.  If you want them to show that they're not just entertainers but also  recording artists, then why would you give them a song that is automatically entertaining?  I don't get it, but I do love the way they perform this song.  Michael's very bendy.  


This is a diffcult one....my pick for this challenge is Afro-Blue.


Results


Moving on to the finale:  Urban Method & Pentatonix


I'm so tired of Afro-Blue being in the bottom, especially when other groups' pitch issues are brought up, and they don't have that problem most of the time.  


Reprise do-or-die encore for Afro-Blue: "American Boy" from episode 3.2.1
Dartmouth Aires: "Somebody to Love" from episode 3.5
Hmm...both of those were the favorites of the judges...but they're considering that song along with all of the other live performances from the season.


Sara's choice:  Dartmouth Aires (emotionally moved her every time)
Shawn's choice: Afro-Blue (could have a long-standing career in music)
BTW, I'm feeling like this is contrived, but whatever.
Ben's choice: Dartmouth Aires (going with the most consistent)


You all know how I feel about the judges trying to change Afro-Blue's style every frickin' week.  So just imagine how annoyed I am at this moment.  How is someone supposed to be consistent when they're being told that their own style is wrong every week? AUGH!


Afro-Blues' swan song: "We've Only Just Begun" by The Carpenters
Man, how could they let this group go home?!  Stupid judges.  The song was gorgeous.  


So it's our turn to vote.  Hmmmm....I really don't have a favorite out of the remaining 3, nor do I hate any of them enough to vote against them.  So maybe I'll just sit out from this voting session.  Or maybe I just won't tell anyone in this post.  :)


Next week:  The Finale

DLR LotD 11/19/11

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day


Saturday, November 19, 2011


"We just take the duck fat and spread it all over." -- Valerie, at Catal

The Sing-Off 3.7

We're down to the top 5, and it's R&B night.


Group Performance:Medley of  "I Feel Good" by James Brown, "ABC" by The Jackson 5, "Crazy In Love" by Beyonce


First Challenge: Contemporary R&B


Dartmouth Aires: "Ignition (Remix)" by R Kelly
Uh-oh, they're getting really intense in rehearsal.  I don't know this song.  I like the "bounce bounce", though.  I heard a couple of dissonant chords in there that my ear didn't like, but they're fun, as usual.  Shawn's all tripping out on the sexy stuff.  I'd like to hear them do all of "Trapped in the Closet", too, Ben.  :)


Um, Nick:  aren't all of the groups here an "all-vocal crew"?  WTF?!


Urban Method: "Knock You Down" by Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West
Yeah, I don't know this song, either.  Again we're seeing that Katie has the strongest voice out of all of the women.  Maybe they should force the other gals to sing a power song so that they can get the confidence they need, too.  


Vocal Point: "Every Little Step" by Bobby Brown
I thought they were doing contemporary stuff?  I guess that doesn't mean "songs Sherry doesn't know".  ;)  They wear their names on their sleeves.  Some of these chords are just not working for me, guys, probably because people are not in tune.  I like that all of the vocal percussionists get to show off with this genre.  Tanner got to shine in this one!  I love how Shawn is jealous of the bass men.  Is Sara the only one with ears?  How did the other judges get so snowed by all of the dancing?  I mean, the dancing was fun, but the intonation was not as good as it should have been at this point in the competition.  Maybe it's a sound balance thing that's off on the TV and not in the studio.  Or maybe it's because I'm listening more than I'm watching so my senses aren't all distracted.  


Afro-Blue: "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey
Uh-oh.  There are a lot of lyrics to remember.  The tempo is slower than I prefer, but they sound really good.  Ack, except for that one chord.  She has sparkly eyeshadow.  Now Ben feels like they're really getting somewhere.  Oh, Ben.  They were somewhere a long time ago.  Sometimes I feel like the judges' comments on the arranging are being said by the producers of the show who only want something they can control later on with the record company.  


Pentatonix: "OMG" by Usher feat. Will.I.Am
Aw, Kevin is having a hard time with the explicit lyrics.  So they couldn't pick a different song?  I feel like the key is too low for the lead, but they pulled it off well.


My pick for this challenge goes to Pentatonix.


Second Challenge:  Classic R&B


Dartmouth Aires: "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight & the Pips
A couple of chords were off, but I love hearing Michael sing.  Sometimes there are just too many of them singing and it takes away from how simple the song should sound.  


Urban Method: "It's Your Thing" by The Isley Brothers
There's more strength from the women! Thank you!  


Vocal Point: "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations
OK, y'all know that I KNOW this song.  :)  Wait. They don't have a girl on stage to drag around.  They did not disappoint me, making sure that they use Temps moves in their choreography. Where did Ben get the soul for that last run?  And why didn't he use it for the whole song?  Show them how it's done, Shawn!  


Afro-Blue: "Best of My Love" by The Emotions
I absolutely love this song, so I'm glad that it's this group singing it.  Interesting transitions to their jazzy style and back to the original.  That made me smile a lot.  So, what is it, Judges?  Do you want them to do their style or don't you?  Augh!


Pentatonix: "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye
Wait.  So Kevin is OK with these lyrics?  That was awesome, and Shawn sure loved it!  


My pick for this challenge:  Pentatonix


Results
Moving on to next week: Pentatonix, Urban Method, Dartmouth Aires, and Afro-Blue


Vocal Point's Swan Song:  "Let Me Go Home" by Michael Buble
Oh, Will Arnett Lookalike, I'll miss you.


Next week:  America gets to vote

DLR LotD 11/11/11

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day


Friday, November 11, 2011


"That rat just keeps getting me down." -- Jack Skellington, to Sherry, when she asked if he could take off his head to recite Shakespearean quotations, in New Orleans Square

Sally, Sherry, Linda and Jack

The Sing-Off 3.6

Yay!  I have no idea who goes home tonight as I watch!


Group Performance: "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire
That was a lt of guys on that one circle.  They all did that song well together  I'm starting to think that I need an Arcade Fire CD, because I think that's the second song I've heard by them that I like.


I didn't know that Shawn Stockman is an "R&B Bad Boy."  OK, Nick.


First Challenge: Classic Rock


Pentatonix: "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf
I feel like Scott needs to have more growl in his voice for this song.  His voice sounds a little too pretty, but I understand the need for keeping on pitch and sounding clear when you're singing a cappella in a quintet, so that you don't lead the rest of the group to the path of unrighteous flatness or sharpness.  The breakdown was really cool, though, as usual.


Dartmouth Aires: "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister
Uh-oh, Jack left for graduate school.  Good luck, Jack!  There's a rock growl!  Of course, with so many of them, they have a little bit of wiggle room to play with the pitch a little, which they didn't need here anyway.  That was fun.  Their shredded leather coats were wacky.  See?  Shawn mentioned the rock growl!  


Afro-Blue: "American Girl" by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
If Afro-Blue loses because their harmonies are too complex for the mainstream, then I say, "way to go on staying true to yourselves".  Alas, they've simplified themselves a little bit for this song.  I understand the need to win, but, well, whatever.  I'll get off of my soapbox.  I liked the addition of the National Anthem. Sara, you didn't see them in the song because they're trying to conform to your previous coaching about being too complex.  You judges are making me crazy and confused.  Don't let me step on that soapbox again.


Delilah: "Dream On" by Aerosmith
I think Amy's voice needed to be less breathy at the beginning, because it sounded weak, maybe because it was too low for her.  Later on, she sounds great, being all Steven Tyler screamy.  Cool!  Maybe she was faking the weak thing after all.  :)  I agree with Ben about the fan effect.


Urban Method: "Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake
Well, that rocked with the awesome rap!  Since I don't really know much more of the melody than what they did, it worked for me.  Do you see how they didn't compromise their identity for the challenge?  I like that.  


Vocal Point: "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks
I like that opening!  Rocked that high note at the end, too!  That was fun.


My pick for this challenge:  Urban Method


Second Challenge:  New Country


Dartmouth Aires: "Save A Horse, Ride a Cowboy" by Big & Rich
Cute props.  I feel like the background vocals were too loud and overshadowed the leads' voices.  How cute, with the hats down for Sara!  


Afro-Blue: "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum
OK, I'm tired of this song, so I hope they get me out of that funk.  They sang that better than LA.  Of course, it helps that the lead voice is that of my favorite gal in the group: Christy.  


Urban Method: "Before He Cheats' by Carrie Underwood
Go, girl!  I like Katie's rockin' voice.  


Delilah: "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry
I don't know this song (from the title), and I've never heard of the original artist.  Oh, wait.  I do know this song.  Nice blend at the beginning, but I didn't really like the ending chords.  


Vocal Point: "Life Is A Highway" by Rascal Flatts
Is the first lead rushing the rhythm, or am I not hearing it right?  They just have so much fun up there! OK, so it wasn't just me: Sara heard the rushing, too.  


Pentatonix: "Stuck Like Glue" by Sugarland
What a cute song that I've never heard before.  I'm wondering if she was having pitch problems at the beginning, or if she meant to do that whole vocal slide thing.  


My pick for this round: Afro-Blue


Results
Staying for next week:  Pentatonix, Urban Method, Darmouth Aires, Vocal Point and Afro-Blue


Well, that one scared me.


Delilah's Swan Song: "Survivor" by Destiny's Child
Nice way to let most of the gals have a piece of the lead.  I wish they enunciated better, though.


Next Week:  R&B.  You know, they should do jazz one week, just to see if anyone but Afro-Blue can sing that genre.  

The Sing-Off 3.5

I'm going to preface this post by telling y'all that I already know who goes home tonight.  Some unsolicited advice:  Don't follow CASA's twitter feed if you're not watching this show live as it airs on the East Coast.  They apparently have no concern for people in a different time zone or for people who may be otherwise occupied and have the show recording on their DVR.  Bastards.  I, however, will try not to pepper my post with hints of who will leave, especially since at this point of the game, I like all of the groups and would be sorry to see anyone go.


So here we go, the top 7.


Group Performance: "This is Hallowe'en" by Danny Elfman, "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon and "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr.
Elfman - Awesome!!!  This must have been really fun for them, especially with all of the cool chords, not to mention their costumes.  


Tonight's challenge:  sing a 3-song medley of a pop superstar, each with a different tempo, key and groove.


Urban Method:  "What's My Name", "Umbrella", and "Only Girl (In the World)" by Rihanna
Yikes.  The transition between the first two songs did not work at all.  I've decided that the gal that sings lead on the 1st and 3rd songs (Katie) rocked it, but not so much the other girls.  Eeww, how did Ben like that 1st transition?  Blech.  


Vocal Point: "Don't Be Cruel", "Can't Help Falling In Love" and "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley
They make me smile.  I like the harmonies on the last song, and I like hearing the audience screaming, as should happen for Elvis.  That went by way too fast.


Afro-Blue: "What Have You Done For Me Lately", "When I Think of You" and "Miss You Much" by Janet Jackson (Miss Jackson if you're nasty)
Oh, I love their harmonies (except for a couple in the first song).  Scat, girl!  I really liked that a lot.  Oh, Shawn is worried about the non-cerebral ones in the audience.  Stop it, Shawn!  Then Sara says that she got lost.   Sigh.  It makes me think less of them when they say stuff like that on national television.


Dartmouth Aires: "Killer Queen", "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Somebody to Love" by Queen
Queen's songs are difficult to sing, but they pulled them off quite well.  There were a couple of high notes that not everyone could handle that well, but the group was great nonetheless.  I like the transition between the 2nd and 3rd songs, and they really rocked that last piece.  That last bit was just...oh, yes.  Why don't I have a Queen Greatest Hits CD?  I love these songs!  


Pentatonix: "Oops...I Did It Again", "Toxic" and "Hold It Against Me" by Britney Spears
Oh, that outfit is short!  I like hearing a guy singing a Spears song.  It makes the song not so, um...slutty.  Their VP is just awesome.  I think some chords didn't work for me, though.  Sara can't even say the word "spectacular", she's so overcome with their performance.


Delilah: "Fallin'", "A Woman's Worth" and "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys
Wait.  Who's doing the bass drum beat?  The same girl doing the high hat?  Because that's cooool.  If it's a different person, it's still cool, just not JT cool.  Nice job, ladies!  I wish that they did their rock songs as well as they do their ballad-y stuff.  


Yellowjackets: "The River of Dreams", "She's Always a Woman" and "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel
I'm glad that they didn't go easy and pick "For The Longest Time".  I wish that they were more clear and didn't sound like so many people singing at one time.  Is it me, or did that second piece need to go a little quicker at the beginning?  I think that "Uptown Girl" matches their style more than the other songs.  I like that Shawn calls them "The YJs".  Poor Sara, being creeped out by Ben's wind.  


Special guest performance
Committed (last season's winner): "Forever", "With You", and "Yeah (3x)" by Chris Brown
Aw, it's so good to see these guys again!  Ah, yes, that luscious harmony.  I would like a copy of their CD, please.  :)  


The top 6 staying for the next round: Dartmouth Aires, Pentatonix, Vocal Point, Delilah, Afro-Blue and Urban Method.


Yellowjackets' swan song: "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba
They sang the NBC tones!  Aw, guys, sorry to see you go.  Wow, look at all of your fans!  


Next week, the groups each get to sing 2 songs, and somebody cries.

"Malibu" in Malibu

Rockapella at Pepperdine

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Smothers Theatre

Malibu, CA

This morning, some members of the PellaPosse joined Team MousePlanet at the Disneyland Resort for the annual CHOC Walk 5K, a fundraiser for Children's Hospital of Orange County.  We had signed up for the walk before we knew that Rockapella would be in So Cal, not that it would have stopped us.  It did stop me, however, from also joining a Zumba Master Class between the walk time and the concert time.  I heard that I missed a great class, but I can just imagine myself arriving at Pepperdine with spaghetti-like legs on top of a really cute pair of shoes.  But anyway, here is a picture of us prior to the walk, with our MP hats and CHOCWalk shirts.  

Walking for the Kids

After the walk, we partook in yummy chocolate chip cookies from Doubletree and got free stuff like Doritos and soda.  Afterward, I went to Target for some stuff that did not include a comb, because I could just go home for that.  Then I got pretty for the Pella.

Jeff, Wendy and Jenn arrived, and we carpooled over to Malibu.  This drive was a much better one than I had experienced on the way to Reduced Shakespeare.  Wendy had kindly bought mini-cupcakes on our behalf to give to the guys in celebration of Scott's birthday, so we went to the campus first to drop them off.  The guard at the entrance was very nice (and cute!), and gave me a token to use for parking in the lot, since nobody would be available at the parking booth.  There must have been an event there that day, because there were cars all over the place and it was well before the show time.  It might have also been due to Sunday church services, as the school is a Christian university.  Anyway, we went to the box office, and the dude there said that he would make sure that the band would get their cupcakes.

I was sad that we couldn't keep the cool token, but we left the campus-with-the-gorgeous-view-of-the-ocean and drove to Coogies for dinner.  Jenn and I enjoyed the short ribs special, although the wasabi mashed potatoes were a bit too spicy for me.  (I can't eat spicy food these days, so my tolerance isn't what it used to be).  I also had some of Wendy's sweet potato fries (which came with her Coogie's burger, which she enjoyed), and Jeff enjoyed his turkey pot pie.  We were happy diners!  Wendy and Jeff spotted people from the cruise and talked to them for a bit.  I later found out that Liz and Joe were having dinner next door at the sushi place at about the same time.  I've declared that Liz will be joining me for a future event so that we can eat the sushi, because she said that it was delicious. 

For some reason, there was some kind of backup to get into the parking area for the theatre.  Again, I was sad that we didn't still have our token.  But we finally got in and parked.  The PellaPosse seats were in the first two rows on the right side of the house.  I was happy that they hadn't opened up pit seating so that we were still in front.  I was hoping that they would open up pit seating and offer to change my seats due to my season subscription, but they never called me, and I would have been upset if I had seen seats in front of us (the theatre had called me regarding openings in the pit for another show for which I had a ticket).

I introduced new recruit Dene to the rest of the Posse, and met Karla's fellow teacher, Elaine.  Liz was miraculously there and not in bed:  she had run the Nike Women's Half-marathon in San Francisco that morning, and had the Tiffany necklace to prove it.  :)

The lights dimmed, and Scott sang "Beat's gonna be so sweet", and sounded a little bit tired.  They had been in Atlanta the night before and had been flying all day, so I had wondered how they'd be feeling.  The video played, but we didn't see Tim around, so we wondered if he was still working with the guys.  

Tonight

Scott cut his hair.  Geo has lost so much weight through his P90X routine that he needs new clothes.  Scott announced that he is Brian Wilson (aww, a Beach Boy!).

4U4Now4Life

Steve and Geo smiled at me.  I love hearing Joe laugh.

Scott:  How many folks go to school here?  Wow, 3 whole people.  (The spotlight was bright on him)  This is a blinding spot, a very awkward light.  I feel like a lemur.  

Scott told us that they had sung with the Atlanta Symphony the night before and flew all day, but they were sure they had arrived when they saw "ocean...and rich people."  He introduced JT and said about the rumbling, "Be careful with the cliffs and the earthquakes."

Nuthin But (Zip)

Got to Get You Into My Life

Steve smiled at Karla and June.  I melted for them.

Just My Imagination/Imagine

Scott looked like he was still eating his cupcake before starting the song.  We found out later that they hadn't eaten the cupcakes yet, so it must have been part of his Power Bar.  Applause happened after the Imagine section.  I like Geo's glissando.

Tell Me What You Want

They changed up something in the intro, either in the harmonies or because Scott is tired.  I don't know.  Something happened with the Power Point presentation, because all of a sudden, the screen showed a post-it note with the title of the song.

Scott said that the last time they were here was for a holiday show, and this was Steve's Pepperdine debut.  We're happy to have you here, Steve!  :)

Cupid

Ooh, Hearts on the video!  I like hearts.  Steve smiled at me!  He chose someone named Diane to help him get the audience to wave their arms and sway.

Hard Time

Scott:  "That's from 'Bang', too.  'Bang' also."

Scott: "The next song is sung with the Massachusetts-sad-eyed voice of Mr. Steve Dorian."

California Sad-Eyed Girl

I forgot to say this in my Oregon trip report, but Steve is really gelling with the rest of the band now.  Tonight was the best that I've ever heard him sing CSEG.  Joe told him later that he no longer sounds like he's trying to be Kevin's replacement.  He's now made the song his own.

John described Scott as "The man with a big voice in a little bitty body."

Scott's response: "Da plane! Da Plane!"

Scott talked about his influences and got applause when he mentioned Glenn Miller.  He said, "Oh, good, Glenn's in the audience tonight."

Paper Doll

Scott made goofy faces at Geo when he sang "waiting".  Awesome rhythm section, boys!

Rock the Boat

Scott danced and called this one "The Malibu".  Steve called Wendy "Baby".  I did not want to scratch her eyes out as she feared.  Steve also slapped Scott's butt with the rhthym before Geo's solo.  He was having fun!  Geo, Geo, Geo.  You're the man!  :)

Thunderball

Steve flexed his biceps, too.

Bang

The video showed stuff from the Bond films.  Scott's dancing was on fire!  Geo did his high-kick!  Shut yo mouth!  I love seeing them do this song, and am now even happier that the high-kick is back.  

Commercials

Scott: "We can come clean with you discernful Malibu folk."

Geo stroked his own arm as he sang "yummy milk chocolate".

Steve wiggled his butt as he sang "rash on my butt".

Scott: "That's as bad as they got right there, and they loved it!"

When Scott mentioned that they even recorded songs that never even made it on the air, someone in the audience shouted, "OH, YEAH!" which puzzled more than one of us.  Are you happy it never made it on the air, or do you just like the Dr. Pepper jingle?

BTW, nice soda sound, JT!

My Girl/Ain't Too Proud to Beg

John chose a woman named Carol.

Scott: "Are you one of the Real Housewives of Malibu?  You look like you could be one of those girls."

Carol: "I don't know if that's a compliment."

Carol said that she was from the West End, which prompted Scott to mention Falafel King and some other place that sounded like "Denny Reese".  Scott tried to get her to sing "Stand By Me".  One of Carol's companions was sitting on the stairs in the aisle next to me, and was about to leave when Steve was fake-leading her off of the stage.  I told him to stay right where he was.  He was glad that I did.  As they sang "Beg", Carol was all hugging everybody, she was so flirty!  It was a lot of fun.

After everybody calmed down and Carol left the stage, Geo said: "Every time I come out here to California, the women make want to sing like a woman."

I Will Always LoveYou

I like hearing the crowd react to those high notes.

Geo: While I can't breathe right now, I'll need about 20 seconds to release."

He dedicated the next song to the women in the audience, but first, "I'm waiting for the pitch.  I think the guys are taking a coffee break or something."  We thought that maybe they were eating cupcakes at that time, too, but we were wrong.

Babygirl

Tell me your number!  He so rocks that song.

Carmen

Scott: We sang it every day for every year--many years.  (Have I told you that Scott must be tired?)

Encore:

A-Punk

Scott said that he didn't know when they'd be out here again, and Karla shouted out that they'd be in Napa in January, which really isn't close by, but it's still California, which is pretty much another planet to the guys.  

Then Scott said that they should do Steve's song, which they've never done before.  (All of us that were on the cruise had heard it live on the boat, though we didn't correct him).

Malibu Grand Prix

Up On The Roof/Wonderful World

Scott tried to hide from the spotlight.  That thing was really bright.

After the show, Dene informed us that he was looking forward to the next time the guys would be in town, because he would see that show all over again.  PUSHED.  :)  Thanks for bringing your hubby, June!  I know that the other hubbies like to see another male fan among the Posse.

I said hi to Fred before going into the lobby for the meet and greet.  He said that they had 2 workshops scheduled in the morning, but they wouldn't be flying out until later that night, so they'd be able to rest a little bit before going home.

Elaine did her job and took random pictures of stuff happening at the Meet and Greet, especially of whatever Karla was doing, since it was her camera.

I asked the guys to sign my program, and was happy that Scott remembered how to spell my name.  It's the little things, people.  To ensure that he actually received the cupcakes, I asked him, "Did you get your treats?"  He thought for a few seconds and asked, "Were they cupcakes?"  You see, we can trust the box office here.  I gave him a birthday card from the Pella Posse that had something to do with us wearing our good panties in case we were going to throw them at him.  (I had crossed out Justin Timberlake's name and wrote his name on the card instead).  He said that we were funny and sweet.  He said that since they were on the plane all day, his throat was really dry.  Scott noticed that my hair was short and said that he liked it.  Thanks!   I told him about Liz doing the 1/2 marathon that morning, and he was quite impressed.  I also told him about the 5K that we did, and that Liz and I would be walking in November for the Be The One Run as Team Walk-A-Pella.  He liked that, so now that our team name is sanctioned by Scott, we're good to go!  Join us, won't you?  Scott was wearing very, very, very blue shoes that he bought at the Nike store in Japan.

Bluuuuue (not suede) Shoes

Geo saw that Liz was being shy as usual and told us to take a picture of him with her.  No, I will not post it here.  I value my life.  Not that Liz looks bad, because she doesn't at all.  Geo's eyes are closed.  He was wearing a ring and explained that Sandra got it for him when they got engaged so that he could ward off all of the women with it.  I told him that he needs new clothes because he's lost so much weight that they're baggy on him now.  He said that he's going to go back on the program, but now it's in order to bulk up.

I didn't get to talk to John very much, but while I was patiently waiting to take my picture with the guys, he told them to pay attention so that it could actually happen.  Thanks, John! He told Jeff that he was planning on bringing Christina to Napa, so I look forward to seeing her there.  

JT told us how we could get around when we go to the shows with the Boston Pops in December, because Jeff had asked him about it.  He said that we'd be going at a good time, and we picked a good airport because it's not too crowded.  Wendy thinks that he still doesn't know her name, because he doesn't say it when he sees her, but he says mine and Karla's.  I bet he does know, Wendy.  How can he write about us in his personal diary if he doesn't know all of our names?  Hmmm...maybe he calls Geo and asks him.  ;)

I greeted Steve with a big hug and a "Hi, Flirty!"  I told him that tonight was the best that I'd ever heard him sing CSEG.  He said that he thinks that he was inspired (I'm sure that he was talking about being in California, but in my imagination, he's inspired because of the PellaPosse.  Or just the PellaPusher.  Or I should just stop daydreaming).  I also said that I was happy that they were able to do his song IN Malibu, and he was happy about it, too.  (When we were in Oregon, I had asked him if they would do his song when they got to Malibu, and he said that he hoped so, so he got his wish).  He said that he wished that he had booked another night to stay so that he could go to Disneyland, since he's never been to The Original.  Since I was off the next day, it would have been fun to show him around "my" Happiest Place on Earth.  He said that he could get me in, and I said that I didn't need it because I'm a Passholder, but thanks!  I would still totally show him around, though.  He then said that he would try to bring his girlfriend Laurie next time so that she could go, too, and he might bring her to Napa.  I told him that I wanted to meet her, and he realized that I never met her at the Tampa show.  He's so cute and happy, and I told him that I was glad he was so happy.  He said that he was glad that I'm happy, too.  OK, he has no idea that I'm at my happiest when I'm seeing Rockapella, so let's not tell him how pathetic I am normally, OK?  ;)  BTW, he met Laurie on a blind date.  Can you imagine going on a blind date and Flirty Flirty Eyes is the guy with whom you've been set up?  I'd probably think I was on candid camera or some kind of cruel joke was being played on me, because I am not that lucky.

So here's the picture that I took with the guys, thanks to John actually paying attention.

Coming to a Christmas Card near you!

A great time was had by all, and I'm always happy when I have a definite date in the future when I can see the guys again.