The Idea of North is regarded by its peers as one of the best and most unique live musical acts in Australia. Over the last few years as one of Australia's only fully professional vocal quartets, they have reinvented a cappella and taken it to new heights. Their stunning visual presence and incredible sound has built them a legion of adoring fans here and across Europe, Asia and the USA. The Idea of North is an exhilarating live act presenting a blend of uniquely arranged contemporary classics and original material. Thus at their own concerts and at corporate events audiences are treated to a show that includes spectacular original arrangements of artists as varied as Sting, Stevie Wonder and The Bee Gees, together with an eclectic mix of jazz, soul, gospel and originals. Having played with some of Australia's greats, including James Morrison and Don Burrows, "The Idea of North" has been shaping this new sound in music now for over eight years. It's a style grounded on the classic musicianship that these four friends crafted at two of Australia's premier music academies, the Canberra School of Music and the Elder Conservatorium of Music (Adelaide).
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No
More Blues Isn't She Lovely His Eye On The Sparrow Evidence Sister Sadie Simple Feast Just Kidding Corcovado Rachel But Not For Me We Will Find A Way After All |
The two men and two women of Australia's The Idea of North stepped on the 2003 Harmony Sweepstakes stage after a very strong field had done its amazing thing, and proceeded to leave no doubt who were truly the National Champs. This CD, their third, is further "Evidence" that the group is one of the finest Contemporary/Jazz groups in the world. 12 songs, Antonio Carlos Jobim's upbeat "No More Blues" and moody "Corcovado," a marvelous cover of Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely," a blue-note rendering of the Gospel song, "His Eye Is On The Sparrow," the title tune-- a brilliant jazz tribute to Thelonius Monk, the soaring polyphonic original by soprano Trish Delaney Brown, "Simple Feast," the salsa-flavored "Just Kidding," with words and arrangement by Brown, "Rachel," another stunning original by Brown, Gershwin's "But Not For Me" (featuring James Morrison on Flugelhorn), another original by Brown, "We Will Find A Way" and finishing with "After All," from the poem by Henry Lawson that includes the hope of all of us " For I must believe that the world my dear, is a kind world after all," beautifully put to music by Brown. The lyrics are all in a generous, blue-toned liner notes booklet, which just underlines how excellently TION does absolutely everything. Their performance as hosts of the '04 Finals drew us to our feet in an extended standing ovation. We love this group!
Listen to "No
More Blues" in RealAudio.
| 9260 CD $15.98 |
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My Foolish Heart Straight to My Heart Man In The Mirror It's Alright With Me Mas Que Nada Neat Surprise Singin' A Cappella Gotta Move On Two Sides to the Story Fragile Abide With Me |
The Idea of North is Andrew Piper, bass, Trish Delaney-Brown, soprano, Meg Corson, alto, and Nick Begbie, tenor, who bring more of their tight, bright, jazzy sound to "The Sum of Us," their second CD. The 11 tracks include: "My Foolish Heart," "Straight To My Heart," "Man In The Mirror," "It's Alright With Me," "Mas Que Nada," "Neat Surprise," "Singin' A Cappella," "Gotta Move On," "Two Sides To The Story," "Fragile" and "Abide With Me." There are guest artists, James Morrison on Trombone on "Mas Que Nada," and "Fragile," the only two very lightly accompanied songs. This is an impressive, confident CD, reminiscent of the Real Group, and all the tunes are so beautifully arranged, selected and performed, it's hard to pick favorites«so we just sat back and enjoyed the sweet jazzy ride. The full color, beautifully photographed liner notes are a perfect complement to the music. Recommended!
Listen to "Straight to My Heart" in Real Audio.
| 2932 CD $15.98 |
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Sweet, Sweet Spirit Fragile Triste Takes My Breath Away Amazing Grace Trouble Shed A Little Light/The Gulf War Song Sitting in Limbo My Funny Valentine The 23rd Psalm You've Got What It Takes That Lonesome Road Just A Closer Walk With Thee The Irish Blessing |
A four piece mixed group from Australia, "The Idea of North" has compiled an eclectic mix of songs, performed and arranged in an accessible contemporary jazz style. About half are accompanied; the melody line on "My Funny Valentine" is played by a flugelhorn, and there is bass and percussion on several other songs (bassist Duncan Brown plays in the snappin' and poppin' style of the "Seinfeld" theme). "The 23rd Psalm" (arranged by McFerrin) and "Irish Blessing" reveals a traditional side, and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" has a gospel inflection and ragtime vocal horn solo. James Taylor's "Shed a Little Light" and "That Lonesome Road" are included, as is Harry Connick's "Trouble." This is a "crossover" record: it could qualify in either the contemporary or jazz categories.
Listen to "Sitting in Limbo" in Real Audio.
| 2478 CD $15.98 |
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