Xmas cracker 2: For this we sent our boy to Oxford?

Xmas cracker 2: For this we sent our boy to Oxford?

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norman lebrecht

December 16, 2014

Whatever became of flowing gowns and Away in a Manger? Still, at least they sing in tune…

out-of-the-blue-26213-300

From the publicity blurb: Out of the Blue, Oxford’s all-male a cappella group, in the 1994 hit single, which just turned 20 years old.

Filmed entirely on the Oxford campus, Harry Potter movie fans will recognize the background scenery as the primary filming locations for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The a cappella group even got special permission to film inside the world renown Bodleian Library of Oxford, including the beautiful Old Schools’ Quad and the Divinity School.

Comments

  • Herrera says:

    1. They sound (and look) American. What’s the point of going to Oxford if you are just going to sound like a rival high school from Glee?

    2. Someone needs to fix the lip-synching.

    • Robert King says:

      “Bah, humbug, indeed”, Mr Herrera. This is the video promotion for a charity single raising funds for a hospice that friends in Oxford say is a truly fantastic place that cares for desperately ill and dying people. Setting aside that the production values of the video, made by Oxford students, look jolly good, and that the musical arrangement is slick and neat, and that the dance routines are a sight better than some you see in multi-thousand pound productions, and that there is wit and imagination throughout, I think we should be celebrating the fact that Oxford students have given their time and energy to raise money for a wonderful cause, and have done so in a way that will bring a smile to many a face this Christmas, hopefully including those in that hospice. I shall certainly be playing it to my children later today when they get home from school, and I am certain that they, like me, will really enjoy it!

      • Herrera says:

        “for desperately ill and dying people”

        Good Lord, why make them suffer even more with this CD?

        • Hugo says:

          Dear Mr. Herrera,

          You obviously don’t understand the concept of charity work, otherwise you wouldn’t be so naive and stupid with your ridiculous “Comments”. I am shocked and disgusted at your lack of compassion, especially as it is Christmas, and I can only hope that there is nobody relying on you for Christmas cheer, as you seem to have no regard for others, especially those less fortunate than us!
          I sincerely hope you are ashamed of your comments, as I would be – but from what I can tell, you lack basic human emotions.

  • sdReader says:

    The video shows Cambridge, doesn’t it?

  • Emil Archambault says:

    They got quite famous a few years ago with their cover of Shakira: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRWVMPnByzo

    As far as I’m concerned, they beat they originals hand down.

    In the same register, Robin Blaze’s Beauty and a beat is quite wonderful!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZF3hbybazU

  • William Safford says:

    How cute! It reminds me of my alma mater’s a cappella group. And it’s for a good cause.

    (I do agree about the lip synching. But the rest is fun!)

  • LPCN says:

    I’ve seen them live – amazing group, full of (shock!) good musicians too.

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