VOCAL POINT sponsored by the BYU School of Music, Saturday, March 20, 7:30 p.m. De jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center. One Perfomance only.
PROVO -- Only at Brigham Young University would members of a cheesy, eight-man a cappella group be among the biggest men on campus. Judging by all the screams and applause Saturday night, Vocal Point is the "Backstreet Boys of BYU."Wearing white shirts and ties and each carrying a cordless mike, the group began with the Kansas hit "Carry On." Sam Blackham took the lead vocal with only a few notes hitting the crack between head-voice and falsetto. Blackham sang with passion and energy, and the a cappella arrangement filled all of Kansas' guitar and keyboard work. Danny Avery made realistic drum noises with his mouth, and the whole group danced.
Blackham also took a scat solo on the ToTo song "Africa" and the lead on Reo Speedwagon's "In My Dreams." The latter was among the group's most touching numbers, and Blackham gave a relaxed, expressive rendition with just the right amount of vibrato.
Other highlights of the concert's first half included Summertime, featuring Mike Gilchrist's mellow, well-modulated solo voice over an inventive and engaging backup arrangement. The country tune "Grundy County Auction," featuring Avery as lead vocalist was an absolute show-stopper.
Avery also shone as lead vocal in the pop tune "I'll Be," the alternative song "Take On Me," and Vocal Point's original rap "Puttin' Ginseng in it" -- a take-off on Fresh Prince's "Gettin' Jiggy With It."
Silly, boyish humor was a big part of Vocal Point's concert, and the serious numbers were interspersed with skits, some that worked and some that died. One of their more humorous offerings was a mock commercial for a soap called Scottish Spring" ("for those who are man enough to wear a skirt"). Two of the lads used their vests as kilts, and Avery struggled to get his vest back on, creating a funny ad-lib situation.
There was also some hilarious drill-teamesque choreography in "Take Me On." Perhaps their funniest song was a Bach Air, in six part harmony interspersed with pseudo facts about the baroque master such as "Bach was a famous organ player. He was also an organ donor." The group's deadpan rendition of the fugue added to the humor.
There were also some serious moments, such as the breathtaking arrangement of the LDS Hymn "Be Still My Soul." The group divided into three groups singing unison, for the first verse gradually dividing into an exquisite blend.