2009 album by Ben Folds with various a capella groups. Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella! (Q4885654) From Wikidata. Jump to navigation Jump to search. 2009 album by Ben Folds with various a capella groups. Language Label Description Also known as; English.

• Ben Folds Presents University A Cappella Zip Download
• Ben Folds Presents University A Cappella Zip Free
• Ben Folds Presents University A Cappella Zip Line

Ben Folds Presents University A Cappella Zip Download

PLAYBACK

By Kevin O'Hare

Yusuf, 'Roadsinger (To Warm You Through the Night)' (UMe). 4 stars.
New York Dolls, 'Cause I Sez So' (Atco). 2.5 stars.
Ben Folds, 'Ben Folds Presents: University A Capella' (Epic). 4 stars.
Ron White, 'Behavioral Problems: Live, Extended and Uncensored' (Capitol). 3 stars.
Grateful Dead, 'To Terrapin: Hartford '77' (Rhino/Dead.Net). 3.5 stars.
Barbra Streisand, 'Streisand The Concerts' (Hip-O/UMe - DVD). 3.5 stars.

Book by Glenn Bowdin, Johnny Allen, William O'Toole, Rob Harris, Ian McDonnell. Product details. Paperback: 448 pages; Publisher: A Butterworth-Heinemann Title; 2nd Revised edition edition (2006); Language: English; ISBN-10:; ISBN-13: 9339; Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.1 x 9.7. Events Management [Glenn Bowdin, Johnny Allen, Rob Harris, Ian McDonnell, William O'Toole] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Events Management is the must-have introductory text providing a complete A-Z of the principles and practices of planning. Events Management by Glenn A. Bowdin, 181, available at Book Depository with free delivery worldwide. Imprint Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd; Publication City/Country Oxford, United Kingdom; Language English; Edition Revised; Edition statement 3rd Revised edition; Illustrations note w.

Yusuf, 'Roadsinger (To Warm You Through the Night)' (UMe). 4 stars.

In 2006, when the singer once known as Cat Stevens released his first pop album in 28 years, it marked a wondrous surprise.

Known as Yusuf Islam - a name that has since been trimmed down to just Yusuf - the songwriter sounded remarkably resilient and the album, 'An Other Cup' proved to be a stunning, if somewhat subdued return to form.

It also left a lot of questions, particularly as to whether this was just some one-shot comeback or a permanent return from an artist who had dominated folk and crossover charts for most of the 1970s.

Could he take the songs on the road? Could the occasionally controversial character avoid getting bogged down in debates concerning his long-ago conversion to the Islamic faith? Would his old fans embrace a man who is very different from the one they knew decades ago?

Thankfully, he passed most of those tests with flying colors, though he still has made only a handful of public performances through the years. And thankfully, there may yet be other opportunities to see him on stage as Yusuf has released a follow-up album to 'An Other Cup.' It's called 'Roadsinger,' subtitled 'To Warm You Through the Night' and it's tough to figure whether it's the logical next step for Yusuf or an unexpected departure.

Whereas the last album was very produced, the organic-sounding 'Roadsinger,' has a more intimate feel, with nearly every track recorded live in the studio against a steady backdrop of the acoustic guitar textures that dominated Stevens' classics like 'Tea For the Tillerman' and 'Teaser and the Firecat.'

Yusuf isn't even afraid to offer a nod and a wink to the past as he did so successfully on the last album's masterpiece 'Heaven/Where True Love Goes,' which borrowed substantially from the much earlier 'Foreigner Suite.' This time out, his past resurfaces in the lovely 'Be What You Must' which is accompanied by a children's choir and takes its piano melody from the Stevens' hit 'Sitting' off of 'Catch Bull at Four.'

Still the essence of the new album is the spiritual journey and the search for something deeper beyond the turbulence and darkness of the modern world. The path is illuminated by the roadsinger, though he too realizes in the title track that not everyone has open arms awaiting his arrival in town. But the troubadour perseveres. There are foreboding tales along the way, particularly 'World O' Darkness' and the harrowing 'Rain' the latter complete with modern-day Noah's ark references. It's also one of several songs on the set to feature tasteful string arrangements, complementing the melody.

Though this might not be the upbeat, pop-flavored set some might have hoped for (a couple of cuts are downright dreary), it's as authentic as the exquisitely crafted 'This Glass World' and it's as honest as the horn-tinged 'Everytime I Dream.' And ultimately, like the man himself, the roadsinger finds an answer in a world filled with fright. For that, give a spin to one of the album's most retro-folk flavored songs, 'All Kinds of Roses,' a love song unlike most others.

Yusuf, 'Be What You Must'

New York Dolls, 'Cause I Sez So' (Atco). 2.5 stars.

When the New York Dolls come out rippin' with the punk-attitude-forever 'Cause I Sez So' at the start of their latest album, you might swear it was 1974 all over again.

With production courtesy of Todd Rundgren, who produced the Dolls' 1973 debut, the band's latest is loaded with plenty of its trademark thrashing rock and punk and even the occasional reggae rhythm tossed into the mix.

Powered these days by their only remaining founding members, David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain, the Dolls put it all together perfectly about half the time, particularly on the pop echoes of 'Better Than You' and the punk rave-up that closes the disc 'Exorcism of Despair.'
But there are an equal number of disappointments, songs seemingly without direction, like the swampy blues of 'This is Ridiculous' and the tropical remake of 'Trash' which first appeared on the band's first album.

Ben Folds, 'Ben Folds Presents: University A Capella' (Epic). 4 stars.

If you've been to any of Ben Folds' concerts in recent years, you've probably noticed that he often likes to break the audience into several parts to do some a cappella harmonizing.

He takes the concept a whole lot further here, with his own version of National Geographic field recordings. Folds traveled back and forth across the land, recording various university a capella choral groups doing - you guessed it - Ben Folds' songs.

The idea proved marvelous and the execution is frequently dazzling. The arrangements are often extraordinarily complex, starting with the Spartones from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, who turn in a brilliant rendition of 'Not The Same.' Other highlights abound, from the Sacramento State Jazz Singers' Manhattan Transfer-styled 'Selfless, Cold and Composed' to the exceptionally poignant tale of an older worker being let go from his job, 'Fred Jones Part 2,' by The West Chester University of Pennsylvania Gracenotes.

Most of these 16 tracks are filled with fascinating covers of Folds' best compositions and he even gets into the act himself on occasion, with his own a cappella re-works of 'Effington' and 'Boxing.'

Ben Folds, 'Not The Same'

Ron White, 'Behavioral Problems: Live, Extended and Uncensored' (Capitol). 3 stars.

He smokes cigars, drinks scotch and has toured extensively with Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy on the highly-successful 'Blue Collar Comedy Tour.'

Yes, Ron 'Tater Salad' White is one of the hottest comics in America right now, but he's far more intriguing than his touring partners, less predictable, with a definite edge to his scathing brand of irreverent humor.

That's all on display on this, his third solo comedy album, released in conjunction with his 'Comedy Central' television special and the DVD release of the same name.

Whether riffing on his sex life with his wife, his real-life encounters with the law or his ongoing amusement with women's magazines and headlines like 'Find His Secret Pleasure Zone,' White is on top of his game here. His Texas-bred brand of humor is definitely Southern in nature but he's got a style that works just as well in every state in the nation.
Rarities and Reissues

Grateful Dead, 'To Terrapin: Hartford '77' (Rhino/Dead.Net). 3.5 stars.

Ben Folds Presents University A Cappella Zip Free

The fact that surviving members of the Grateful Dead are touring this Spring adds a nice touch to this latest release from the band's voluminous archives. Culled from their May 28, 1977 performance at the Hartford Civic Center, the three-disc set finds the Dead playing a potent set, wrapping up a 26-concert tour that featured the debut of several songs slated for what was then their upcoming 'Terrapin Station' album.

Along with a nearly 20-minute 'Sugaree,' a playful 'Good Lovin',' and Dead faves like 'Playing in the Band,' and 'U.S. Blues,' the album is lifted by 'Terrapin' tracks like the long and dreamy 'Estimated Prophet,' and Weir's reworking of the Rev. Gary Davis' 'Samson and Delilah.'

Some cuts such as the fairly dull 'Candyman' haven't aged as well as others, but overall, this was prime time for Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir and their mates.

DVD Spotlight

Barbra Streisand, 'Streisand The Concerts' (Hip-O/UMe). 3.5 stars.

This is a very nice gift for Barbra Streisand fans, a three disc DVD package highlighting different decades in the superstar singer's career. Since Streisand's live shows are few and far between, it's especially nice to have this all in one package.
Disc 1 features the most recent Streisand performance, a live concert from Ft. Lauderdale during her 2006 tour. Featuring more than two dozen songs, including 10 never previously released on DVD, the concert finds Streisand at ease and singing with age-defying range and tonal qualities. Highlights abound, including a jazzy version of Harold Arlen's 'Down With Love;' 'The Way We Were,' which brought the house down; 'Come Rain or Come Shine,' (where she showed off the lower register of her voice); and 'Ma Premiere Chanson,' which she played at the piano.

That tour and this DVD could have done without the pop-opera adult boy band Il Divo, but they're here taking up space anyway, during the set as well as on some of the bonus tracks. Still, Streisand sparkled after intermission with standouts like 'Carefully Taught/Children Will Listen,' the ballad 'What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?' and the signature finale 'Smile.'

Disc 2 is culled from Streisand's 1994 concert at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, during her first concert tour in 27 years. Considering she had been away that long she comes across as remarkably calm, although the film quality isn't as technologically advanced as what the viewer sees on the 2006 DVD. Still, it's an impressive performance, sparked by 'Lover Man,' 'Evergreen' 'The Man That Got Away,' and an over-the-top ending of 'Somewhere.'
The bonus disc is Disc 3, 'Putting it Together: The Making of the Broadway Album.' It's especially noteworthy for the inclusion of several rare bonus cuts from Streisand TV specials including 1965's 'People,' and 1967's 'I'm Always Chasing Rainbows.'

Rating Scale: One Star (poor) to Five Stars (a classic)

16 Songs, 1 Hour 8 Minutes

EDITORS’ NOTES

With all the electronic wizardry available these days, hearing the human voice in its purest, unadulterated form can be a revelatory experience. Ben Folds has always written highly melodic material that’s centered on his pop instincts and his spastic piano bounce. But here his songs are brought to life by pure vocal ensembles that emphasize both his strong lead lines and the intricacies layered underneath. With music programs across the country suffering budgetary cutbacks, it’s encouraging to find projects with both commercial potential and the ability to inspire others to become involved. Ben Folds recruited these various groups — from The Spartones of Greensboro, NC to The Sacramento State Jazz Singers to The University of Rochester Midnight Ramblers — and recorded them with six area mics. Each group brings a sweet, participatory experience, turning Folds’ pop into songs that could’ve survived the street corners of doo-wop from a culture long past. Hearing Folds’ “Brick” recreated solely through vocal accompaniment is ear-opening and Folds himself joins in with instrument free versions of “Effington” and “Boxing.” Fun throughout.

EDITORS’ NOTES

With all the electronic wizardry available these days, hearing the human voice in its purest, unadulterated form can be a revelatory experience. Ben Folds has always written highly melodic material that’s centered on his pop instincts and his spastic piano bounce. But here his songs are brought to life by pure vocal ensembles that emphasize both his strong lead lines and the intricacies layered underneath. With music programs across the country suffering budgetary cutbacks, it’s encouraging to find projects with both commercial potential and the ability to inspire others to become involved. Ben Folds recruited these various groups — from The Spartones of Greensboro, NC to The Sacramento State Jazz Singers to The University of Rochester Midnight Ramblers — and recorded them with six area mics. Each group brings a sweet, participatory experience, turning Folds’ pop into songs that could’ve survived the street corners of doo-wop from a culture long past. Hearing Folds’ “Brick” recreated solely through vocal accompaniment is ear-opening and Folds himself joins in with instrument free versions of “Effington” and “Boxing.” Fun throughout.

Ben Folds Presents University A Cappella Zip Line

• 16 Songs, 1 Hour 8 Minutes
• Released: Apr 28, 2009
• ℗ 2009 Sony Music Entertainment

^* New subscribers only. Plan automatically renews after trial.