Boston Common Quartet - 1980 Day After Championship "Old Songs Medley"

[@awesomeeliam7882]

5:53 "Oh, I feel like such a fool." "You are!" Good to see humour hasn't changed much over the years.

[@NikoPorter]

“The fine wine of Barbershop music”

[@davidkrause3906]

So glad you know!

[@thebl00per]

So much good about this. First, a quartet who absolutely LOVES four-part harmony. It shows in their faces and in the stillness of their bodies. Second, the incredible lock-and-ring while singing with their full-throated voices. Third, amazing finesse and artistry on their phrase endings! Like a true crooner, they don't end all at the same time or on the same word sound; but the musicality of the releases is an art that has been lost in today's Melodyned perfection. Fourth and last, an arrangement that is singable by the "average Joe". I remember meeting up with Dan Jordan, Bob Gray Jr. and a bass (sorry, don't recall who) in the mid-1980s and we just said, "Marathon Medley" and we sang it as if we had seen the music. As much as I like today's stunning charts, this is an iconic arrangement that stands the test of time. Truly, a legend became a champion in 1980. Certainly one of the best ever Gold medalists. Love me some Boston Common, any time of the day or night!

[@davidkrause3906]

We could not agree more, sir. And I used to sing this at my chapter's afterglows every week with three guys who could!!! Never saw the spots either.

[@davidkrause3906]

Almost forgot. They won the first time I competed against them. Of course, I was 20 places behind.

[@browncatt1]

The full tenor voice is a rare (ish) voice in barbershop. Kent is truly one of a kind in this genre.

[@SidV_YT]

Kent is my grandfather and I love watch his old stuff. 🙂

[@pyro143]

literally every member of this quartet is not only incredibly good, but seem to have such fun personalities. their ability to joke with each other mid-song is really wholesome. the baritone's soft-spoken voice makes his little "solos" so much more fitting. the lead and bass are having so much fun together and clearly love performing. and that tenor... holy lord in heaven is that tenor amazing. he at first seems somewhat like the awkward one of the group but then he just chests incredibly high notes with such ease and you can see the confidence pop into his eyes. and all together, they clearly love this song and sing it with such incredible passion. such an inspirational quartet.

[@gabrieldelatortilla1]

The bass guy has such a friendly face. Makes me smile.

[@johncentamore1052]

I smiled the entire way through this. The chord change into Mammy has given me chills for almost 40 years.

[@clayhine]

My favorite arrangement ever. And the joy they have in ringing chords is inspiring!

[@rwearing1754]

Agreed Clay. Was my Dad's favorite.

[@leesperry7288]

Such an incredible sound. It's fab to be able to see this recording. Clay - I know if I could ring them like that, I'd take a lot of joy from it! :)

[@johnderr1182]

Way back, my father took me to the first barbershop event held at the Royal Oak, Michigan Howard Johnson Restaurant. The local acts were ok but when pitches weren’t good, I got restless and wanted to leave. Then, The Boston Common was introduced and my jaw dropped and I was riveted for their entire set. When I moved to Louisville, KY, I joined The Thoroughbred Chorus, then The Louisville Times Chorus, and finally the Kentucky Vocal Union. 26 years of BHS membership. What joy to sing! Still, I was started, hook, line, and sinker, in this hobby after that first exposure to The Boston Common. Their recordings still raise the hair on the back of my neck. Thanks gentlemen and to the members of the BHS.

[@Phil-db1dh]

I sang with them many years ago when they came to England ! and also in the States , i was tenor in Gold medal quartet , and they took time out to coach us ! they were my idols then and still are now and always will be. Kent( tenor ) taught me the technique of singing tenor full voice as well as falsetto and that has stayed with me forever, thank you Boston Common. I do remember we were asked to sing at a club in Boston , unbeknown to us Terry Clarke (bass) had gone round the audience and told them to play a trick on us and gradually leave the room one by one whilst we were singing ! we couldnt believe what was happening as every body started leaving a table at a time in the middle of "Danny Boy" ! its then we spotted Terry at the door waving and laughing at us . what a wicked sense of humour ! what a gentleman R.I.P. TERRY X

[@beachbum47]

The legend became a champion. So privileged to have been there to see this happen.

[@marathonman3095]

Absolutely the best Tenor i have ever heard in my life. when they imposed restrictions on vibrato was the biggest mistake they ever could make in BSQ music. they were they masters of blend and that tag to this day makes my mouth literally drop with amazement.

[@tomking7039]

I don’t know too much about the rules. What are the restrictions on vibrato?

[@Wahl95]

@@tomking7039 - I’m no expert on the rules for barbershop contests, but I believe the emphasis in barbershop music is/was on “straight-tone” singing (i.e. no vibrato) that allowed the chords to lock together more easily. Judges and judging systems back when the Boston Common competed were much more conservative than that of today, more focused on preservation of the barbershop style than the evolution of singing techniques, arrangements, etc. The Boston Common also didn’t give a rat’s ass about the judges or about “perfection” and just sang from the heart... and damn, did they do it well. I think that’s why audiences went apeshit over them (and still do) - they were 100% genuine.

[@marathonman3095]

@@Wahl95 In my interpretation is the BC had perfect vibrato between them all and that is why the voice blend had died in my opinion in present day competition. i was raised on BBQ from age 5 or 6 and i have seen the decline or rather the over restrictions in voice production on stage. sorry bud, cords do NOT lock together as they do with vibrato that literally make you pee your britches or sob like a child. no other group has done that since the changes bud. BC forever in my heart especially the best tenor EVER.

[@SidV_YT]

The tenor is my grandfather His name is Kent Martin

[@gregstickler3798]

I have had vibrato all my life I haven’t been able to sing for five yrs Now when I try all I can produce is extreme wobble I miss it terribly Now I can’t even join a chorus because of covid restrictions I’m stuck at home no outlet because of covid mandates in Australia I sang in barbershop a short time 5 yrs in dreamworld Qld 4 yrs in gold coast chorus and a quartet I always wondered why such emphasis on choreography when I thought sound and blend and tight harmony was the distinction between barbershop and other singing I never even knew that vibrato was allowed at one time The ability to take four voices and make them blend so tight that you had that perfect fifth note or overtone I listen to a chap his page is called acapeldridge he is one singing four parts he pings all over the place Easy because he’s blending with his own voice I can listen to him for hrs Having said that my fav quartets today are instant classic nff main st But I think what could the sound be if they focussed on sound only All thjs just my opinion and obviously I’m in the minority

[@Wahl95]

Jesus... it doesn’t get much better than this.

[@paulgardner6239]

This is what I want to listen to when someone plays their personal collection. Masterful.

[@josephberger8768]

I come back to this when I need a BC fix. How much fun they were having...one of my three favorite quartets. (GHG and VS)

[@browncatt1]

My only regret is not to have heard this quartet live. I heard Boston Concort a hash of at least two of the BC. Truly stunning Lead Tenor combo. Brilliant and funny Bass. Baritone just awesome nailed everything in an unpretentious manner. Loved them.

[@matttrumpet]

I’ve listened to this video too much. I’m obsessed

[@douglas2437]

The whole tag is just utter perfection

[@trethtower]

I was so fortunate to start my Barbershop career in the Northeastern District and introduced to the sound of the BC. I, like so many others, fell in love with their unmistakable sound. I just about wore out their albums. I had several occasions to experience the Boston Common up close at house gatherings after chapter shows etc. But my greatest experience was winning the chorus gold medal with the Dukes of Harmony chorus alongside the Boston Common winning theirs in 1980 and being there to hear this amazing performance.

[@joecunningham3490]

The best quartet I ever heard!

[@kathymorfin4447]

The best I've ever heard and will ever here. Thank you

[@NickBrounoff]

What an incredible blend!!

[@Clarkster55]

That's why they've always been my FAVORITE barbershop quartet...EVER!!! ;-)

[@robertgray4550]

So many good times ... so many shows with my good friends. Thanks for the memories and the thrill to share the boards with you. Smooth, musical, and real. Loved the BEST quartet ever by a long shot! Definitely a legend. Love you all. RIP Terry!

[@kkrau788]

Absolutely legendary! TNT wasn't half-bad either... ;^)

[@mrmannst]

When I was 13, they sang in my town and I got their autographs. I was so giddy....

[@lifeontheledgerlines8394]

I would be too! Unfortunately, they disbanded 9 years before I was born.

[@RH2golf]

Is and ALWAYS will be the best!

[@davidbwoo]

That blend. That tag. Man, oh man.

[@robertharkins5737]

I worked with Larry Tully and his brother. They were the great guys and fun to be around,

[@stevederebey]

Best quartet in history. Bar none!

[@johnroberthanna1623]

killed it.!! most terrific - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING US ALONG..!

[@TJBarranger]

Best. Tag. Ever.

[@mazda1942]

Mary 3:25 is a special favourite of mine with a deep personal connection and these fine men convey the best connection I have heard. 🙂

[@mikee3997]

I remember they were a quartet on our show what a blast we had Terry was great Larry was too and Jamie and I apologize I can’t remember lead s name

[@Pitsler]

I was there. Epic! ❤🎶💈🎶❤️

[@briankeith2388]

Even when they're off tune, very rare, they sound great. Every voice knows when to shine in their singing. Perfect understanding and perfect tonality in their singing and perfect anesthetic emotions in their singing

[@rogerdotlee]

Absolutely epic.

[@RH2golf]

G.O.A.T. then/G.O.A.T today!

[@alankline5553]

Perfection

[@frak7190]

7:03 I love the way the bari and bass look at each other when the bari's voice cracks- so funny

[@marke.tarantino3462]

OMG!!!

[@xelTonE]

Yesssssssireeee!!!

[@Kitties_are_pretty]

7:15 oh my god.

[@Kitties_are_pretty]

Oh my god it's still so good.

[@Kitties_are_pretty]

And still it's here, being beautiful.

[@kaleen8182]

@@Kitties_are_pretty still good?

[@Kitties_are_pretty]

​@@kaleen8182 She's as beautiful as the day we met.

[@dinky7777]

@@Kitties_are_pretty still good?

[@BBshopDanO]

Texture, but with massive ring.

[@paddyoski]

Jesus h Christ on a popsicle stick. The greatest of all time.

[@steveduplessie7660]

Like your enthusiasm. Not so much your offensive JC reference. I know it works for you. But for any who actually believe in Jesus, it's like me insulting your wife by name. Just sayin'.

[@paddyoski]

@@steveduplessie7660 Cheese n Crackers Got All Muddy! That better?

[@paddyoski]

@@steveduplessie7660 Oh Good Lord, spare me your sanctimony

[@judybeach3991]

Good pulse.

[@muhammadaimanmohdhafiz8238]

can somebody like list down the songs they sing

[@tenorbbs]

07:28

[@ErikEliason012]

Money.

[@vultabult]

7:56 hot damn

[@maryschwandt3484]

Barbershop

[@matttrumpet]

Is there sheet music for this somewhere?

[@tomhornby792]

Wondering if anybody has a score for this?

[@maxthebucko9445]

Hey so me and some guys at my school have a quartet, and we love getting new songs, any idea what these songs are called?

[@danielcostello1747]

This is the Old Songs Medley, shoot me an email at [e-mail] and I’ll see if I can dig it up for you.

[@lauraharding3101]

Paper Doll, For it was Mary, Down in Jungletown, Oh the moonlight's fair tonight upon the Wabash were a few quoted.

[@gregstickler3798]

They should have called themselves the overtones their pigging all over the place

[@briankeith2388]

Is this the Quartet who sang that arrangement of Mame?

[@gregstickler3798]

This comment is probably not going to be accepted by many But only my own opinion they let their voices do the talking Look how much movement is going on virtually none and yet caught the attention of everyone I think there’s too much choreography these days So much so that a quartet or chorus can lose by simply having a better sound but their choreography isn’t the best I always thought that it was about the voice the blend the tightness of sound But today not so

[@davidkrause3906]

Kinda true. And notice that the little comedic things they did attempt didn't really work and only detracted. Just the sound...that's the thing with them!

[@markmcmillan4233]

1:25 6:45

[@smiljamarincic6497]

/

[@marfgrabbs4702]

M

[@DUDERMAN]

I like their sound but their cutoffs are a total mess in this song. Tenor hangs over and they can't end on a consonant together.

[@lauraharding3101]

So what.

[@DUDERMAN]

@@lauraharding3101 Just a critique on their performance is all

[@steveduplessie7660]

So I'm guessing you can do this, only better, right?

[@DUDERMAN]

@@steveduplessie7660 You can critique something without being able to do it yourself. I think there are many quartets who can do it better.

[@jeromewesselman4653]

@@DUDERMAN Please provide specific syllables and timestamps for your critique. The few times I heard staggered cutoffs it seemed clear to me they were done deliberately

[@jenifermills3321]

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