Updated: Sep 23, 2022
Ricardo and In Flagrante met for the first time. We had a big turn out to welcome him.
Ricardo has vast experience, including leading choirs, but he is not used to having lady tenors and will try and stop calling them gentlemen!
We did a warm up with a fascinating singing up and down the scales with, “Chicken tikka, mango chutney and a pint of lager; naan and pilau rice!”
Ricardo then heard us really sing for the first time with our rendition of Time After Time, which was reasonably well received. This was followed by The Rhythm of Life, which, as Ricardo said, “We got to the end!” Definitely a little more work on this one next week!
Monday Monday was next. It is a 1966 song written by John Phillips (he said that he wrote the song quickly, in about 20 minutes) and recorded by the Mamas & the Papas, using background instruments played by members of the Wrecking Crew.
It was the first time in history a song by a mixed gender group reached the top of the charts.
On March 2, 1967, the Mamas & the Papas won a Grammy Award for this song, in the category Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
This song has a tricky rhythm and lots of syncopation. And yes, sopranos have the dreaded ‘Ooohs’ and there is no easy way to get the first note!
Sing loud and proud, even if you’re wrong. That way you will learn to sing it correctly!
We’re getting there and it will be ok!
After the break we attempted a classical musical theatre song, Fascinating Rhythm a popular song written by George Gershwin in 1924 with lyrics by Ira Gershwin.
It was first introduced by Cliff Edwards, Fred Astaire and Adele Astaire in the Broadway musical Lady Be Good.
Many recorded versions exist. One of the rarest recordings is by Joe Bari (a pseudonym of Anthony Dominick Benedetto, later better known as Tony Bennett) for Leslie Records in 1949.
Fascinating Rhythm inspired the riff to the 1974 Deep Purple song, Burn.
We all started singing the same tune as it is identical for the first 12 bars, then we split into our different voices. It does have a fascinating rhythm and once we learn the first sections, it will be repeated throughout.
The tracks are in Dropbox, so now we are familiar with the fascinating rhythm we can practice at home ready to impress next week.
From a small handful of singers in 2016 we have grown to a substantial choir of over 30 members. Our first public appearance at the Kew Fayre 2016.
During lockdown our numbers increased and since we have returned this term we have grown even more. It is a wonderful sound with so many voices!
Eamonn recapped Time After Time and the tenors still had the tendency to sing the tune. However, the advice was, “If is feels easy you are probably wrong!”
The lady tenors and altos were encouraged to sing out loudly, “If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting” so it will sound as if Cyndi Lauper is in the room. They did it beautifully!
He did feel this song is “not at all shabby”! Praise indeed😊
Then The Rhythm of Life was tackled from the tricky part at the top of page 7 where the first sopranos start the fast, tongue twisting part quickly followed by the second sopranos.
This song is multi layered with all the parts passing from one voice to the next and then the different voices singing different things at the same time it should have the sound of the many voices of Babel!
Just one more little challenge added is the change of key in a couple of places to keep us on our toes!
Once we have mastered this intricate, complicated piece it will sound magnificent!
Eammon has left us with a good basis for our new Musical Director, Ricardo Fernandes to take us forward to our end of year concert.
Practice at home and we will be ready to impress Ricardo next week.
After a long summer break, In Flagrante is now back and working towards a concert in November.
Although a lot of our usual trillers weren’t able to be present, we welcomed five new members who helped to give us a well balanced sound.
We started with a good warm up and a tongue twister “The Leith police dismisseth us” which was a real challenge, but appropriate to help us get our minds and tongues around the new songs.
Time After Time a 1983 song by American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper, co-written with Rob Hyman, who also provided backing vocals. The writing began with the title, which Lauper had seen in TV Guide magazine, referring to the science fiction film Time After Time (1979).
Music critics gave the song positive reviews, with many commending the song for being a solid and memorable love song. The song has been selected as one of the Best Love Songs of All Time by many media outlets, including Rolling Stone, Nerve, MTV and many others. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Song of the Year at the 1985 edition.
The song reached number three on the UK Singles Chart
Eamonn’s arrangement, includes the famous part “If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting” sung by the lady Tenors and Altos.
As an 80s song, it only has four chords and the verses need to be sung with beauty and loveliness, while the chorus can be sung with gusto like a drunken aunt at a wedding!
However, Tenors beware! You do not have the tune until you reach the chorus! You will get there if you practice.
After a break for tea and wine we tackled another new song The Rhythm of Life a song from the musical Sweet Charity (1966) which was sung by Sammy Davis Jnr.
In 1969, the Supremes and the Temptations covered the song for their G.I.T. on Broadway television special and album. Their version was released as a single in Australia and New Zealand, where it was a top 5 and top 20 hit, respectively.
Rhythm of Life (Diana Ross & The Temptations 1974
Eammon’s arrangement doesn’t have harmonies in the way his songs usually do. We all basically sing the same tunes throughout, but at different times, so needs great concentration to follow where you sing your part.
No Ooohs for sopranos, just lots and lots and lots of words to fit in. This is where the tongue twister warm ups come into their own! Also a tricky little melody to learn!
First week back and already there is homework set!
More fun to follow next week!