Podcast 71 - Buffalo Chips
I recorded the Buffalo Chips recently at their Fall Jam concert at the University of Buffalo Student Union on Nov. 17, 2007. I heard of the Chips not too long ago and thought they’d be a fresh, different sound for the podcast. I hope you enjoy their music as much as I did.
When you meet them, they’re just a bunch of your average college kids, casual, irreverent, always kidding around, and when they step on stage that really doesn’t change. They have as much fun there as anywhere. But when they sing, wow! This doesn’t just happen. A lot of hard work and practice must have gone on.
Spokesman Mike Jankowski explained it during our interview. The Chips are not just a bunch of guys who sing, they’re a competitive singing group who in the process of practicing, touring and competing become a group of close friends. That was apparent during the performance when they took time to honor a past member and a member who is about to leave, and invited past members to join them on stage for a song. Quite a number of them were there.
From their website:
“The Buffalo Chips is UB’s premiere all-male a cappella group founded in 1995, consisting of a dozen guys. The original members still tell tales of the first ever Valentine’s Day show in February of 1996, and traditions of entertaining full houses, Rubber Duckies, and after-show party excellence dating back just as far. To this day, the Chips continue all of those traditions, and do some other stuff as well. They sing everything from rock and pop to jazz and funk. Add a dash of humor and you have a Buffalo Chips concert. The Buffalo Chips: Entertaining since 1995.”
The Chips are planning to compete in the International Championship of Collegiate A’Cappella Mid-Atlantic Region. Let’s wish them luck.
Set list:
Good Old A Cappella [Soul To Soul] - writing credit for this song goes to a whole bunch of people: Albert Brumley, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, O. Nevada, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, Brunner, Spivery. I couldn’t find a lot out about the song, but it’s obviously an old style Gospel tune!
Africa - Toto.
Beautiful Day - U2
Beautiful Girls (Suicidal) - Sean Kingston. If you’re not familiar with the song check out this awesome video.
Brandy - Looking Glass - Elliot Lurie
Interview with Mike Jankowski
It Don’t Have To Change - John Legend
White Shadows - Coldplay
What Goes Around Comes Around - Justin Timberlake
This Is How A Heart Breaks - Rob Thomas
You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Freddie Mercury-Queen
Saturday Night Is All Right For Fighting - Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Interview with Daniella of Ladies First MSU
Happy Ending - Mika (Ladies First)
Everybody Runs - Butterfly Effect
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My thanks to the Buffalo Chips and UB for letting me record the show. To Ladies First for their cooperation and allowing me to include them in the podcast.
The University of Buffalo also has a womens a’cappella group called The Royal Pitches. They have a concert coming up on November 30. Details on their web site:
Buffalo Chips websites:
http://thebuffalochips.com
http://www.myspace.com/ubchips
The Ladies First website:
http://www.freewebs.com/msuladiesfirst/
The Royal Pitches website:
http://www.myspace.com/theroyalpitches
http://buffalo.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22020407
