A Cappella Night, Hoogeveen
May 18th 2007 - De Tamboer, Hoogeveen, Netherlands
We already bought tickets for today's show over a year ago, just because we've got several House Jacks CD's and we wanted to hear them live. I almost forgot M-Pact and Maybebop were also going to perform on this night. During my internet research (and probably due to my Germany-addiction) I discovered Maybebop and was looking forward to their performance even more. Also M-Pact would be great, according to what I read and heard on their website.
Three groups tonight, which we never heard live before. I was so curious what it would be like! I was also happy to go to the theater in Hoogeveen for the first time. It's one of the few theaters in the Netherlands with a lot of attention for a cappella music. Before the concert starts, we meet several people that we know from other a cappella concerts. We didn't know they were coming tonight, but it's a small world in the Netherlands. "Hey hallo! It's not a surprise to see you here!"
Unfortunately the concert is not sold out at all. There are a lot of empty seats. During the break and afterwards the show we have a little talk with Maybebop and with Deke from the House Jacks and we agree on one thing: The Dutch audience is quiet. No surprise for us, but a little weird for the performing groups, because they are used to a little more feedback during their shows. It's a weird phenomenon. For some reason, the Dutch only want to listen. Maybe I'll find an explanation one day, but in the meantime we'll keep visiting Germany as often as we can, because we love and prefer the German audience as well ;)
Maybebop
The four singers from Maybebop are Jan, Lukas, Oliver and Sebastian. Today is their very first performance in the Netherlands. They haven't got a clue if the audience speaks any German and probably therefore give us some English cover songs as well. They start with Smells like teen spirit, which is really beautiful with a nice firm composition. After this, they want to thank the audience for being there and they all start to talk at the same time. It's funny, the audience has to laugh. Suddenly, three of them are standing still like living statues and number four can have his say. Before actually finishing, the other three start chatting again and we can't understand a word. This goes on until every one of them has had his turn.
Oberlippenbart is funny, though I think the majority of the audience doesn't understand what the song is exactly about. After the song, Lukas asks us if we can support him during the next song with the choreography. The reason is, it's not a really good song and if we're busy we might not notice. During Du zweite Wahl we have to wave our arms in the air. Lukas actually succeeds and makes quite a lot of people join in. Not bad for a Dutch audience! ;)
Sebastian, the bass singer, tells us he's the one who usually makes the serious announcements during the concerts and he explains us in which order we are going to hear the other groups tonight. While he's talking, the other three are singing like a little background choir. Then they sing Staying alive, in a exaggerated shrieking way which makes me laugh, although I normally don't really like Bee Gees songs. Without pausing, with a little intermezzo, they continue with ABBA's Dancing queen, where Jan turns out to be the dancing queen. He's not so happy with this choice and tries to get away. The choreo is simple, but very effective and funny, as most of their choreos by the way. It's fun to watch these guys!
Engel (originally by Rammstein) is a very nice, slow song and the voices harmonize beautifully. It doesn't matter if the audience doesn't understand the German text here. After that, Oliver thinks that he's Auch mal ran. He thinks it's not fair the women only take a look at Lukas and Jan, the two youngest members of the group. Then it's already time for the final song of Maybebops performance! What, yet already?? Ventilator is a great song and the salsa-part in it is really great!
Conclusion: I love this group. I love the genre, the humor and the performance on stage. I like the positive interaction between the singers on stage and the way the simple choreo supports the songs. Sometimes I miss a fifth voice, but that's due to the other groups tonight who are with five and six singers. Compared to that, Maybebops sound was a little thinner. Therefore it's good they were the starting group tonight. I definitely want to see Maybebop again!
M-Pact
Five singers appear on stage and I'm confused. I thought they were with six? When they start to sing I'm stunned. What a voices, wow. They sing Fantasy (Earth, Wind and Fire) and after a little intermezzo Favorite Things (Sound of Music). The lead singer Britt is a remarkable person. His voice is so powerful, he sometimes needs to hold his micro as far away from his mouth as he can and still we can hear his voice. Moreover he has a funny way of dancing. But these guys are really good.
One of the singers apologize for not speaking Dutch and he introduces the following songs, You need to know and Have a talk with God (Stevie Wonder). Suddenly the sixth singer is on the stage as well. It's Jake, the group's baritone and "human drum machine". He's not being introduced, which I think is a little bit weird. Probably they didn't need him during the first two songs, but I would appreciate a little explanation on that. It's great to watch Jake while he's drumming. He's not just doing the vocal percussion, it's like he's got invisible drums standing in front of him and he's moving his hands as if he's really playing the drums. Together with Trist, the bass singer, he's standing on the right, his bald head shiny and sweaty. The lead singer is standing in the middle and the three remaining M-Pacters are standing on the left. They don't do choreographical things, they concentrate on the singing and there's a lot of (eye) contact/interaction on stage.
Britt tells us their repertoire is pretty diverse. From pop to jazz, sometimes classic or anything they like. The next song is All Blues (Miles Davis). They sit down on six bar stools and during the song some of the singers are scatting which is rewarded with applause during the song. It's great to hear and watch this, because it's so good, but it's not the type of music that suits me most.
The classic rock song Love the one you're with on the other hand is a song I really enjoy. Kiss and When doves cry are also great to hear! We're being warned not to sing along with these well known songs, because they changed some of the lyrics.
Conclusion: A very professional group with a little weird but very strong lead singer (Britt) and a great vocal percussionist (Jake). Great arrangements and sublime performance. I missed humor though and I personally don't prefer the genre of this group. But no discussion possible: an outstanding group.
House Jacks
It's time to hear the House Jacks. Of course, Wes Carrolls vocal percussion is amazing. His sounds are so real, it's great to see and hear him live. The first song (I don't know the song title) is sung by Austin and after it, Deke apologizes for not speaking Dutch, just like M-Pact. But, he's got a sister-in-law in the Netherlands and she taught him one very important sentence in Dutch: "Pas op voor de hondepoep". The audience laughs and Deke grins sillily as if he wouldn't know what he just said. "I only know it's something with a dog!" he adds and we laugh even more.
Believe is the next song and in the beginning I sense a little eastern influence, which probably comes from Roo, who is "passionate about Indian music", according to the House Jacks website. Another thing I notice about Roo are his arm muscles. They're so big, his t-shirt almost doesn't fit. Terrible, if you ask me. But he's got a great voice and that's what it's all about after all ;) During Athena we have to sing along with Deke. We start simple, but the phrases get longer and more complicated. Fun!
Austin tells us about Wes. He's not only a great vocal percussionist, he also has a great voice. Wes sings The leaving kind and he addresses himself to Anja, who's sitting in the front row. Actually this song is a calm ballad, but I think the rhythm and background singing are making the song restless. Next, Deke introduces Antonio, the bass singer. Antonio sings I'm just a gigolo and it's great.
After that, Deke asks us to tell them what song they have to sing. We can ask for any song, "as long as we never practiced it!" Someone yells Easy lover and without hesitating they start the song. Austin starts the lead, the others make a chord, a rhythm and there it is. Improvisation can be called one of their talents! Then I'm every woman is being asked for. Who wants to sing that lead? The House Jacks take a look at each other and laugh. Roo steps forward, his hips swinging and acting like a woman. He starts the song but has to drop out after the first chorus because "that's all I know". Father figure is next and after that, the audience starts to show more guts and many people are yelling different song titles towards Deke, who tries to understand what everybody is screaming. That brings on a mixture of Bohemian Rhapsody with Paradise by the dashboard light, which is awesome, and Purple rain sung by an Elvis-imitating Austin. First there's hesitation about who is going to sing that lead. All five are shaking their heads and then they play a little game which they probably use more often: touch your nose and the last one lost the game and has to sing the lead. It's funny and everybody has to laugh. Nobody asked for Elvis, by the way, but Deke catched Ruuts call for the "Wilhelmus" (the Dutch national anthem) as "Elvis". Chinese talking and Satisfaction are also mixed up which gives us I can't get no Chinese talking. We want to hear Tubular Bells and we get Owner of a lownly heart with a little Tubular bells in the background, haha. To end this block of requests, Deke tells us we're going to vote for the final request, just like American democracy. "You give us some songs, you can vote for it and then we will decide which song we are going to sing." Billy Jean wins the vote.
After Summertime we are being asked if we want a little bit more Austin. Yes, I'd love to! Bam is a great up tempo song and it's exactly the kind of song I like from the House Jacks. Then, after Wes thanks us for being there, they sing one more song (I don't know that song title) and then their performance is over.
Conclusion: It's great to see and hear the House Jacks live. I'm stunned by the sound of this group. The vocal percussion is so good, but on the other hand it's sometimes too much and the rhythms can get too complicated or restless in my opinion. Therefore I love some songs and dislike other songs. I love the interaction with the audience, their humor in it and the way they improvise. I do miss some interaction between the singers themselves during the songs. Nevertheless, if you get the chance to see this group, you should definitely go there!