The Irrationals - Mixed R&B/ Gospel Quintet from Oakland, CA United States

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2009 Bay Area Regional

The Irrationals


Mixed R&B/ Gospel Quintet from Oakland, CA

Intimate, witty and intelligent songsters, the award-winning Irrationals, are an a cappella ensemble acclaimed for their rich, complex vocal style. The delicious blending of their voices has been described as "cafe mocha for the ears." Singing together for almost twelve years, this six-member, Berkeley-based group is praised for its harmonic excellence and diverse repertoire. The Irrationals often perform songs about the unpredictable. They are dazzled by the irrationality of love, awed by the intuitive nature of life and intrigued by things that don't make sense.

The Irrationals' sound has an African American foundation that is used to explore pop, R&B, jazz, folk and rock. A core blend of three soulful women enhanced by bass, tenor and percussive vocal elements creates an exquisitely layered melodic mix. Whether it's Stevie Wonder with a rap twist, Annie Lennox, Talking Heads, the Neville Brothers or a romantic folk song, the Irrationals are playful, distinctive and sometimes irreverent.

Members: Renee Hayes, Sam Rogers, Tim Lukaszewski, Jeff Pettit, Gwen McElwee


Profile for The Irrationals on singers.com

Irrationals: Done Waiting

The core blend of three soulful women (Gwen, Linda and Renee) of the soulful Bay Area a cappella ensemble The Irrationals has been singing together for over 15 years. This funky, diverse group has an eclectic, African American-based repertoire that explores life, love and politics. There are 11 songs here, which feature soaring leads, strong vocal percussion and background vocals. Favorites are "Train in Vain," the title tune, "Something to Talk About," the powerful stream-of-consciousness two originals by Susan Anders, "Living on the Edge" and "Trouble Now," the stark "Everything and Nothing," the bluesy "Microwave Life," the jazzy "Mighty Long Way" and the poignant "Love Me Still." This is surprising, entertaining, thought-provoking stuff from The Irrationals!

2353 1 CD $14.95

Irrationals: The Irrationals

Sometimes a great thing can be in your own back yard and you don't even know it. Such is the case with The Irrationals, a mixed sextet of really tight voices deep, sultry and rich. One minute the dynamics are pumping with a percussive and poignant arrangement of Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise" only to surprise you with the ability to successfully cover David Byrne's "Slippery People" AND do it well. Gotta love "Codeine", a bluesy rendition of a Buffy Sainte-Marie classic, which goes perfectly with the Bill Wither's anthem "Ain't No Sunshine". This debut is worth checking out for just the "Sweet Inspiration" alone, though I can't imagine not enjoying the "Language of Love". Just trust us!

2723 1 CD $14.98

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