Two and a half years ago, we explored
the early history of Cartoon Network... but it wasn't the only player in the youth television game.
As a matter of fact,
Fred Seibert -- the man responsible for the most inventive projects discussed in that post -- first stretched his creative legs at the network's
truly venerable forerunner:
Nickelodeon.
Founded as Pinwheel, a six-hour block on Warner Cable's innovative
QUBE system, this humble channel struggled for years before Seibert's innovative branding work transformed it into a national icon and capstone of a media empire.
Much has changed since then, from the mascots and game shows to
the versatile orange "splat." But starting tonight in response to popular demand, the network is
looking back with
a summer programming block dedicated to the greatest hits of the 1990s, including
Hey Arnold!, Rocko's Modern Life, The Adventures of Pete & Pete, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Double Dare, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Legends of the Hidden Temple, and
All That.
To celebrate, look inside for the complete story of the early days of the network that incensed the religious right, brought doo-wop to television, and slimed a million fans -- the golden age of Nickelodeon.
(warning: monster post inside) [more inside]
posted by Rhaomi
on Jul 25, 2011 -
116 comments
The Klein Four is a group of math students at the Northwestern University who delight in bringing you various lovely, well-sung A Capella songs infused with their very own and very nerdy flavour. They're not the newest of the web, having released their
first CD in 2005, but
witty lyrics and
five-part harmonizing are definitely worth checking out.
I did do a search for this and didn't find anything. Please don't kill me.
posted by Phire
on May 23, 2007 -
14 comments
The Incredible Mouth Band is the product of an idea. The idea was simple: Instead of people actually playing their instruments, why don't they just say their names out loud, to the rhythm of the music?
note: The organist tends to get a lil' creepy. Do not watch late at night if that kind of thing bothers you.
posted by alona
on Oct 9, 2006 -
14 comments
UCLA's Awaken A Capella does some strange, beautiful things with the power of combined human voices. From
Ave Maria to
Mr Roboto, their oeuvre spans the spectrum. More clips, including Like a Prayer and Walk Like an Egyptian, available on their
MySpace page. Their version of Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek," available through KCRW's daily
podcast, is sublime.
posted by gottabefunky
on Sep 14, 2006 -
42 comments
"He teaches the students to read the music from within themselves." The annual Pop Concert at Dondero High School was a beloved institution from 1971-2006. Under the direction of music instructor
Rick Hartsoe, the A Capella Choir and student instrumentalists presented 20 popular songs per concert: "ten full choir pieces chosen for their harmonic and instrumental interest, and ten solos of the students' choosing." Pieces from the last ten years included such unconventional classics as Maroon 5's "This Love," System of a Down's "Chop Suey" and "Down In A Hole" by Alice In Chains. Also included were works by Stevie Wonder, Boston, Weezer, P.O.D., Norah Jones, The Doobie Brothers and many more. Every Pop Concert ended -- perhaps appropriately -- with "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" from
Hair.
March 2006 saw the last Pop Concert performed at Dondero High.
Mr. Hartsoe has announced his retirement. And due to consolidation with a neighboring school,
Dondero High itself is closing at the end of this school year. Thankfully, eight of those Pop Concerts (from 1995 to 2005) are available as downloadable 2-CD sets from
Comfortstand (
previously mentioned). Yes, for
free. Convinced yet? Basically, if you were blown away by the likes of
The Langley Music School Project (
previously mentioned), this might just be right up your musical alley.
posted by grabbingsand
on Apr 13, 2006 -
19 comments
