I am a notorious homebody. I like to go out, but the introvert in me requires that I pace myself so I don’t get overwhelmed. So when I got an invitation to attend a concert from the wonderful Christine Koh of Boston Mamas, I was a bit torn. The concert was the day after my birthday and I knew it would be a busy week, but I also trust Christine’s opinion. She had sent along a link to the group’s website so I decided to check it out. Straight No Chaser immediately won me over with their mellow, but contemporary a cappella sound and I was hooked.
The night of the event, I arrived at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston to a group of a dozen or so local bloggers and social media mavens. I was running behind so there wasn’t much time for introductions before we were ushered backstage in the theater to have a quick meet & greet with the 10 guys of Straight No Chaser. I don’t know what I was expecting, but they were so gracious to chat with us before the concert. They were funny and friendly as they answered our questions and posed for pictures. I already knew I was a fan of their music, but by taking time to talk they won me over as personal fan as well.
Now, by way of disclosure, I didn’t have the best seat in the theater. In fact, I was in the very last row of the balcony. Since I was fortunate enough to chat with the guys beforehand, I already felt connected to the group, but it didn’t really matter. Their personalities (and their voices) carried all the way to that back row of the theater and drew us in.
The set list for the concert included some traditional numbers (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) and
some pop hits (I’m Yours/Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Tainted Love). There was a beautiful original song (can’t remember the name) that will probably start appearing at weddings as soon as they record it. In the meantime, the guys joked with the crowd about the Red Sox, showed off their knowledge of local lore and simply had fun with the audience. Two encores later, a happy crowd poured out onto the street, still singing along.
A cappella is a musical form that has recently seen a resurgence in popularity. Without special effects, a full band and other distractions, you actually have to be able to sing. The guys of Straight No Chaser leave no doubt about their singing talents, even as they dance and ham it up. If you have a chance to see them in your area, I highly recommend it. I know I’ll be watching for the next visit to my state.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary ticket to the concert from Boston Mamas and Atlantic Records. There was no promise of coverage and the opinions contained in this post are my own.
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