The Idea of North , one of Australia’s most popular acapella groups, have won many awards , released several albums and have a huge fan base. The concert on Sunday , part of the Prelude in Tea series at the Independent Theatre entitled GROOVE SESSIONS was sold out.

The group’s line up has changed considerably over the years since it began in the mid 90’s and even since just last year.

The newer voices of Emma Rule (soprano) and Luke Thompson (bass) blend flawlessly into the tight arrangements for which the group is famous. Now a quintet, The Idea of North as led by Naomi Crellin and Nick Begbie perform with finely nuanced and precise detail and rich harmonies. Sometimes the voices ripple and cascade at others they soar, bounce or flow in the jazz arrangements , softer ballads or comic songs all presented in arresting form , intriguingly arranged and with The Idea of North presenting idiosyncratic versions of classics.

The concert opened with a vibrant Michael Jackson medley. It also included a dynamic Eleanor Rigby ( yes the Beatles ) with striking timing and phrasing .

Highlights included a very moving Both Sides Now ( Joni Mitchell ) led by Rule that gave one shivers.Also featured were Big Yellow Taxi and, featuring Rule , the soft ballad The Flame Trees.  There was a fast paced Money medley (Naomi Crellin checked afterwards how many in the audience picked up which songs – eg ABBA and from Fiddler on the Roof).

Nick Begbie led the haunting, poignant I Said No. A Dance Hall medley of songs from the 1920’s and 30’s followed.
A touch of comedy was included with Begbie insisting , via the Tim Minchin song , that I like singing in F sharp .Naomi Crellin also made us laugh I the second half with the tongue twisting very complicated The Cat.

A bright, bubbly reworking of The Rainbow Connection opened the second half which was followed by the biting , sarcastic advertisment jingle Don’t Say Gin Say Gilbeys . A warm version of the Gershwin Embracable You was also included.

An astonishing highlight was the amazing bravura solo performance by vocal percussionist, Kai Kitamura who provides drums and percussion for the quintet – but all by voice ! – with fluid shifts in tempo and sensitive yet stirring rhythmic patterns of percussion .In his solo section we hear jazz and drums but then Kitamura shifts and we hear a vacuum cleaner , an aeroplane and public transport among other things.

The doo- wop style was also featured with Ain’t No woman Like the One I’ve Got  that brought the house down.

The packed house was extremely enthusiastic and only let the group go after an encore ( a haunting Irish melody) .

The Idea of North in GROOVE SESSION was at the Independent Theatre, Sunday 18 February 2018.