Morning Open Thread is a daily, copyrighted post, from a host of editors and guest writers. We support our community, invite and share ideas, and encourage thoughtful, respectful dialogue in an open forum.
This series was conceived as a haven where folks can drop in to share conversation, ideas, weather reports, and music. Feel free to leave a note, comment, picture, or tune. As always the diarist gets to sleep in, and may show up long after the post is published. So you know, it's a feature, not a bug.
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Fair Warning; the songs in this MOT are best heard with good headphones if you do not have the computer hooked to a high-end stereo speakers. Regular computer speakers will just sound muddy.
I had never heard the A Capella group Home Free until I stumbled across them a few days ago. I have always liked barbershop singing, and of course, groups like Pentatonix. Just voices, with no instruments. While Pentatonix is a pop group, Home Free leans more toward folk classics and country songs.
Beat boxing has been around for centuries. In the US, it appeared early in the 19th century. Some forms of it are found in the music of early Appalachia in a style called “eefing.” Vocal beat sounds are found in jazz, gospel music (especially shape-note singing), and music from indigenous people, both Native Americans and Africans. It’s a special vocal talent, and provides the rhythm section for A Capella groups. Modern beat boxing has found its way into mainstream pop music by way of hip-hop. Pentatonix used beat boxing for the rhythm sections, and so does Home Free.
The song that appeared in the recommended list on YouTube for me was one of my favorites. It is an old bluegrass song made popular by the late Dr. Ralph Stanley, but made world famous by the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou.
Here is Home Free with Man of Constant Sorrow. The ‘hook’ in this song is the didgeridoo. Pure vocal genius.
The bass line is done by Tim Foust. Someone joked that when he was little, his mother asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. He responded, “A dragon.”
And he did.
Another commenter wrote that she was putting on makeup to look nice when she started listening to this song. By the time it ended, her makeup had turned into war paint.
Tim Faust of Home Free sings with tenor Peter Hollens in Misty Mountain from The Hobbit. As you listen, keep in mind that Mr. Foust stays with notes in his mid-range, not what he can actually sing if he pushes himself.
Winding up with guest artist Avi Kaplan from Pentatonix. Ring of Fire:
Wednesday Lagniappe:
While we are doing covers, here is Rachael Price from Lake Street Dive doing a great Grace Slick cover that needs no introduction:
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