Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
What are we?
What a question! As if many -and very intelligent people- hadn’t asked themselves it yet… Anyway, let’s try an answer.
Are we singers? Yes, absolutely, by choice. Are we comedians? I’d say clowns, by nature. Are we actors? Definitely NOT sure, but we wouldn’t want to disrespect anyone. We’re sure of one thing: we’re this ambiguous group, half singers, half clowns, and half actors (you do the maths).
We get together and sing the old Barbershop style /as in “barbershop”: style of music sung by the great sensation, the one and only Lemon Pai & the BluesBerry Chísqueics/ We make jokes because we just exude good sense of humor, we can't help it; and we act a little because we’re not sure of doing any of the first two right.
We are Lemon Pai & the BluesBerry Chísqueics, and that should be enough. And if you have any question about us, you can contact us by sending an email to
lemon.pai@hotmail.com
.
Are we singers? Yes, absolutely, by choice. Are we comedians? I’d say clowns, by nature. Are we actors? Definitely NOT sure, but we wouldn’t want to disrespect anyone. We’re sure of one thing: we’re this ambiguous group, half singers, half clowns, and half actors (you do the maths).
We get together and sing the old Barbershop style /as in “barbershop”: style of music sung by the great sensation, the one and only Lemon Pai & the BluesBerry Chísqueics/ We make jokes because we just exude good sense of humor, we can't help it; and we act a little because we’re not sure of doing any of the first two right.
We are Lemon Pai & the BluesBerry Chísqueics, and that should be enough. And if you have any question about us, you can contact us by sending an email to
lemon.pai@hotmail.com
.
Who are we?
Ha! Here’s another philosophical question! Let’s take the easy way out and just introduce our members. Here it is: the actual ‘line up’ of Lemon Pai & the BluesBerry Chísqueics.
First comes first: the tenors. They sing the highest notes. Ladies and gentlemen…
Sergio Mamberti
We have also the leads: with their ‘beautiful’ voices they sing the melodies of the songs, and with their ego they fill every concert hall. They are…
Francisco Laborde
Martin Formento
Eduardo Marenco
Then we have the baritones. Well..., they just complete the chords (at least in 77% of the cases). But we love them anyway.
Julian Evelson
Enrique Borlenghi
And finally, the basses. They sing the lowest harmonizing notes with big, manly voices. Last, but not least…
Eduardo Rossi
Santiago Macagno
A big round of applause for all of them!
First comes first: the tenors. They sing the highest notes. Ladies and gentlemen…
Sergio Mamberti
We have also the leads: with their ‘beautiful’ voices they sing the melodies of the songs, and with their ego they fill every concert hall. They are…
Francisco Laborde
Martin Formento
Eduardo Marenco
Then we have the baritones. Well..., they just complete the chords (at least in 77% of the cases). But we love them anyway.
Julian Evelson
Enrique Borlenghi
And finally, the basses. They sing the lowest harmonizing notes with big, manly voices. Last, but not least…
Eduardo Rossi
Santiago Macagno
A big round of applause for all of them!
What do we do?
Well that’s an easy one.
As we’ve already said, we sing the old barbershop style. If you are American or English you may already know what we’re talking about. But in Argentina is so rare, I would dare to say that no more than twenty people sing barbershop (and we are nine). Most people relate it with the B-sharps, the well known barbershop quartet Homer Simpson once took part in.
Anyway, we’re going to give you a brief and quick definition on barbershop
Barbershopharmony,ascodifiedduringthebarbershoprevivalera(1940s-present),isastyleofvocalmusiccharacterizedbyconsonantfourpartchordsforeverymelodynoteinapredominantlyhomophonictextur.Eachofthefourpartshasitsownrol:theleadsingsthemelod,withthetenorharmonizingabovethemelod,thebasssingingthelowestharmonizingnote,andthebaritonecompletingthechord.Themelodyisnotsungbythetenororbas,exceptforaninfrequentnoteortwotoavoidawkwardvoiceleading,intagsorcoda,orwhensomeappropriateembellishingeffectcanbecreate.Occasionalbriefpassagesmaybesungbyfewerthanfourvoiceparts.(???)
You could also say that it is Barbershop when a bunch of big guys get together and sing catchy tunes. And although we could use this definition for almost any supporter’s group in a soccer match, we’re going to stick to it by now.
We do it in the most honest way we know, trying to establish a bond with the audience. That is easy to say, yet difficult to accomplish.
And we do it with a smile, because the music asks for it, and because we are such a nice bunch of good fellows…
As we’ve already said, we sing the old barbershop style. If you are American or English you may already know what we’re talking about. But in Argentina is so rare, I would dare to say that no more than twenty people sing barbershop (and we are nine). Most people relate it with the B-sharps, the well known barbershop quartet Homer Simpson once took part in.
Anyway, we’re going to give you a brief and quick definition on barbershop
Barbershopharmony,ascodifiedduringthebarbershoprevivalera(1940s-present),isastyleofvocalmusiccharacterizedbyconsonantfourpartchordsforeverymelodynoteinapredominantlyhomophonictextur.Eachofthefourpartshasitsownrol:theleadsingsthemelod,withthetenorharmonizingabovethemelod,thebasssingingthelowestharmonizingnote,andthebaritonecompletingthechord.Themelodyisnotsungbythetenororbas,exceptforaninfrequentnoteortwotoavoidawkwardvoiceleading,intagsorcoda,orwhensomeappropriateembellishingeffectcanbecreate.Occasionalbriefpassagesmaybesungbyfewerthanfourvoiceparts.(???)
You could also say that it is Barbershop when a bunch of big guys get together and sing catchy tunes. And although we could use this definition for almost any supporter’s group in a soccer match, we’re going to stick to it by now.
We do it in the most honest way we know, trying to establish a bond with the audience. That is easy to say, yet difficult to accomplish.
And we do it with a smile, because the music asks for it, and because we are such a nice bunch of good fellows…
What do we sing?
Pretty Baby
Nice (and rather disturbing) song by Tony Jackson, written in 1912, at the very peak of ragtime music. The song has been performed by many singers including Al Jolson, Judy Garland, Doris Day and Dean Martin, inspiring his album 'Pretty Baby'. The song also inspired the 1978 movie by Louis Malle: 'Pretty Baby' (introducing a very young Brooke Shields), in which soundtrack appears.
Pretty Baby
You ask me why I'm always teasing you
You hate to have me call you Pretty Baby
I really thought that I was pleasing you
For you're just a baby to me
Your cunning little dimples and your baby stare
Your baby talk and baby walk and curly hair
Your baby smile makes life worthwhile
You're just as sweet as you can be (All of this was the nice part)
Chorus
Everybody loves a baby that's why I'm in love with you
Pretty baby, pretty baby
And I'd like to be your sister, brother, dad and mother too (and this was the disturbing part)
Pretty baby, pretty baby
Won't you come and let me rock you in my cradle of love
And we'll cuddle all the time
Oh, I want a lovin' baby, and it might as well be you
Pretty baby of mine!
I love you truly
Written by Carrie Jacobs-Bond, the song was number one hit in the United States in 1912, as recorded by Elsie Baker. Many Performers have recorded it, including Al Bowlly, Bing Crosby, Connie Francis, Erskine Hawkins, The Ink Spots, Liberace, Guy Lombardo, The Platters, and Lawrence Welk. It is still a classic among barbershop arrangers and singers. The song was also sung by Ward Bond and Frank Faylen in the movie 'It's a wonderful world', by Frank Capra.
I love you truly
I love you truly, truly dear,
Life with its sorrow, life with its tear
Fades into dreams when I feel you are near
For I love you truly, truly dear.
Ah! Love, 'tis something to feel your kind hand
Ah! Yes, 'tis something by your side to stand;
Gone is the sorrow, gone doubt and fear,
For you love me truly, truly dear.
Tee-Idle Dum Dum
Traditional little song from 19th century. Not much more to say about it, sorry. Watch our video for our unique interpretation.
Tee-Idle Dum Dum
Oh, I got a gal and she is a daisy.
Got all the boys in our town plumb crazy.
With your sticks and your stones
you can break all my bones,
say what you want about me when I’m gone.
I’m gonna live every day until I die!
Oh, I got a gal and she is a daisy.
Got all the boys in our town plumb crazy.
I will sail off for France
Or will take any chance.
I know she’s got me deep in a trance.
I want to be with her until I die!
Goodbye, my Coney Island Baby
Written by Les Applegate in 1924, has become a popular song in the barbershop repertoire. It was originally a song of the musical 'No, no Nanette'. Our version (as many others) is a medley of 'Coney Island Baby' and 'We all fall', from the same show; so that we can laugh a bit at the marriage institution.
Coney Island Baby
Oh, Goodbye my Coney Island baby, farewell my one true love,
I'm gonna go away and leave you never to see you any more
I'm gonna sail upon that ferry boat, never to return again
so goodbye, farewell, so long forever,
Good bye my Coney Island
We all fall for some girl that dresses neat,
some girl that's got big feet, we meet her on the street.
Then we'll join thearmy of married boobs
to the altar, "Don't forget to wash the dishes"
When it's over, oh boy we get it good,
Those are days we then recall...
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief,
doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief, we all, are bound for...
Irish Blessing
This traditional, irish text is used for blessings all around the world. The author is really unknown, but some attribute the words to St. Patrick himself (born in Kilpatrick, Scotland in 387, died in Saul, Ireland, in 493). The music of our version is that one by J. Jerome Williams and Don Gray.
Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
When Uncle Joe plays a rag on his old banjo.
This song was composed in 1912 by Theodore Morse. You know, everybody has un uncle who ends up dancing on the table wiht a lamp on his head...
Anyway... Theodore Morse's uncle used to play the banjo, and this is how he described him...
When Uncle Joe plays a rag on his old banjo
Down in Dixie lives old Uncle Joe.
Down in Dixie, that’s the place to go.
Where you sure will hear some music grand.
Sweetest melodies in all the land.
Every night beneath the southern moon,
Uncle Joe would play a raggy tune
Things begin to hum, when you hear him strum
A rag upon his old banjo.
When Uncle Joe plays a rag on his old banjo
Everebody starts to rock in to and fro’
Now they’re dancing all around the kitchen floor
Saying: “Uncle Joe, give me more, give me more”
Folks come arunning when they hear that sound
Dancing and prancing till they shake the groundWhen Uncle Joe plays a rag on his old banjo.
Nice (and rather disturbing) song by Tony Jackson, written in 1912, at the very peak of ragtime music. The song has been performed by many singers including Al Jolson, Judy Garland, Doris Day and Dean Martin, inspiring his album 'Pretty Baby'. The song also inspired the 1978 movie by Louis Malle: 'Pretty Baby' (introducing a very young Brooke Shields), in which soundtrack appears.
Pretty Baby
You ask me why I'm always teasing you
You hate to have me call you Pretty Baby
I really thought that I was pleasing you
For you're just a baby to me
Your cunning little dimples and your baby stare
Your baby talk and baby walk and curly hair
Your baby smile makes life worthwhile
You're just as sweet as you can be (All of this was the nice part)
Chorus
Everybody loves a baby that's why I'm in love with you
Pretty baby, pretty baby
And I'd like to be your sister, brother, dad and mother too (and this was the disturbing part)
Pretty baby, pretty baby
Won't you come and let me rock you in my cradle of love
And we'll cuddle all the time
Oh, I want a lovin' baby, and it might as well be you
Pretty baby of mine!
I love you truly
Written by Carrie Jacobs-Bond, the song was number one hit in the United States in 1912, as recorded by Elsie Baker. Many Performers have recorded it, including Al Bowlly, Bing Crosby, Connie Francis, Erskine Hawkins, The Ink Spots, Liberace, Guy Lombardo, The Platters, and Lawrence Welk. It is still a classic among barbershop arrangers and singers. The song was also sung by Ward Bond and Frank Faylen in the movie 'It's a wonderful world', by Frank Capra.
I love you truly
I love you truly, truly dear,
Life with its sorrow, life with its tear
Fades into dreams when I feel you are near
For I love you truly, truly dear.
Ah! Love, 'tis something to feel your kind hand
Ah! Yes, 'tis something by your side to stand;
Gone is the sorrow, gone doubt and fear,
For you love me truly, truly dear.
Tee-Idle Dum Dum
Traditional little song from 19th century. Not much more to say about it, sorry. Watch our video for our unique interpretation.
Tee-Idle Dum Dum
Oh, I got a gal and she is a daisy.
Got all the boys in our town plumb crazy.
With your sticks and your stones
you can break all my bones,
say what you want about me when I’m gone.
I’m gonna live every day until I die!
Oh, I got a gal and she is a daisy.
Got all the boys in our town plumb crazy.
I will sail off for France
Or will take any chance.
I know she’s got me deep in a trance.
I want to be with her until I die!
Goodbye, my Coney Island Baby
Written by Les Applegate in 1924, has become a popular song in the barbershop repertoire. It was originally a song of the musical 'No, no Nanette'. Our version (as many others) is a medley of 'Coney Island Baby' and 'We all fall', from the same show; so that we can laugh a bit at the marriage institution.
Coney Island Baby
Oh, Goodbye my Coney Island baby, farewell my one true love,
I'm gonna go away and leave you never to see you any more
I'm gonna sail upon that ferry boat, never to return again
so goodbye, farewell, so long forever,
Good bye my Coney Island
We all fall for some girl that dresses neat,
some girl that's got big feet, we meet her on the street.
Then we'll join thearmy of married boobs
to the altar, "Don't forget to wash the dishes"
When it's over, oh boy we get it good,
Those are days we then recall...
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief,
doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief, we all, are bound for...
Irish Blessing
This traditional, irish text is used for blessings all around the world. The author is really unknown, but some attribute the words to St. Patrick himself (born in Kilpatrick, Scotland in 387, died in Saul, Ireland, in 493). The music of our version is that one by J. Jerome Williams and Don Gray.
Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
When Uncle Joe plays a rag on his old banjo.
This song was composed in 1912 by Theodore Morse. You know, everybody has un uncle who ends up dancing on the table wiht a lamp on his head...
Anyway... Theodore Morse's uncle used to play the banjo, and this is how he described him...
When Uncle Joe plays a rag on his old banjo
Down in Dixie lives old Uncle Joe.
Down in Dixie, that’s the place to go.
Where you sure will hear some music grand.
Sweetest melodies in all the land.
Every night beneath the southern moon,
Uncle Joe would play a raggy tune
Things begin to hum, when you hear him strum
A rag upon his old banjo.
When Uncle Joe plays a rag on his old banjo
Everebody starts to rock in to and fro’
Now they’re dancing all around the kitchen floor
Saying: “Uncle Joe, give me more, give me more”
Folks come arunning when they hear that sound
Dancing and prancing till they shake the groundWhen Uncle Joe plays a rag on his old banjo.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Some videos...
PRETTY BABY
JAVA JIVE
I'M FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES
DANNY BOY
I LOVE YOU TRULY (with a hilarious introduction and translation)
TEE-IDLE DUM DUM (There is a boy, and there is a girl; he thinks he's going to live with her until the day he dies. However...)
GOODBYE MY CONEY ISLAND/WE ALL HOPE FOR MEDLEY
IRISH BLESSING (And a joke played on the group members, calling their hygiene into question)
WHEN UNCLE JOE PLAYS A RAG ON HIS OLD BANJO
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