The Futrell Boys, "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (Smokey Robinson cover)

Randomly stumbled across these kids. They're awesome... especially the 11-year-old when he says "Old School." Enjoy.

Danny Fong, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Theme" (A cappella cover)

Happy belated birthday, to my younger brother, who's just as dorky as I am.

And A CAPPELLA WEEK Begat EVERY OTHER DAY IS CHRISTMAS: Boyz II Men, "Silent Night"

Here at Tuna Day, we're a little behind the curve when it comes to blasting the holiday tunes. The long night is over, at long last. "Every Other Day Is Christmas" returns with Philly's favorite foursome.

A CAPPELLA WEEK OPEN REQUEST SUNDAY: Rockapella, "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?"

Karrigan takes us back for an enjoyable globetrotting ride... just don't let Eartha Brute or Patty Larceny know what's happening.

A CAPPELLA WEEK: Seminaarinmäen Mieslaulajat, "Taina" (Live)

I don't have a clue about the lyrics, but the song is pretty amazing, as are the haircuts. Won-don, ka-tik-a-da-don-don. I love this stuff. What I also love: after watching the video on YouTube, what was recommended? Check Your Head, in its entirety. Peas in a pod.

A CAPPELLA WEEK: Lachi, "Paranoid Android" (Radiohead cover)

And this is the part of the week where it gets weird. Enjoy.

A CAPPELLA WEEK: Bobby McFerrin, "Opportunity" (Joan Armatrading cover)

Thank you, Mom, for the excellent suggestion. Everyone else--the rest of the week is wide open!

A CAPPELLA WEEK: Son House, "John the Revelator"

A CAPPELLA WEEK: Perpetuum Jazzile, "Africa" (Toto)

This has to be the best vocal approximation of rain and thunder I've ever heard. The singing's great, too. Thank you, Slovenia!

A CAPPELLA WEEK: Straight No Chaser, "Insomniac" (Billy Pilgrim)

December seems like as good a time as any to roll out a week's worth of a cappella. Kicking things off, here's the former a cappella group at Indiana University with its rendition of Billy Pilgrim's "Insomniac". Straight No Chaser has since re-formed and will be performing at the Beacon Theatre on Valentine's Day '13. 

 

Billy Pilgrim, on the other hand, dissolved at the end of the '90s. You may recognize half of the duo--Kristian Bush--as half of the country super duo Sugarland.

Jackson 5, "The Love You Save" (A Cappella)

Suzanne Vega, "Tom's Diner"

From the "Mother of the MP3," the song that spawned the moniker... I'm looking for the funnies...

MARCH OF THE COVERS: TV on the Radio, "Mr. Grieves" (Pixies)

NOSTALGIA WEEK: Shai, "If I Ever Fall in Love" (a cappella)

From 1992.  13-year-old me was floored.  For that matter, I still am.  My frie-e-e-e-nd...

John Legend, "Rolling in the Deep" (Adele Cover)

And then... Legend goes a cappella.  Also brilliant...

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, "Mambazo"

Today is Freedom Day in South Africa.  To celebrate, have a listen to the beautiful Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which was formed around 50 years ago by Joseph Shabalala. and first heard by many of us on Paul Simon's Graceland.  For further exploration, check out this recent feature on NPR regarding their latest effort--a collection of Zulu children's songs.  Enjoy!