Strictly Acappella

Television (Full Length) – 1993

The world of Kiwi a cappella music is showcased in all it’s breadth and diversity in this 1993 documentary. After bystanders on Oriental Parade offer their thoughts on a cappella music, composer Jonathan McKeown-Green introduces the world of unaccompanied singing. The rest of the documentary showcases a wide range of a cappella performers, from barbershop to doo-wop, celtic chanting to Māori waiata. Featured are interviews and performances from Dave Dobbyn and Hinewehi Mohi, gospel workshops by Australian-based Kiwi Tony Backhouse, and a jandal and voice performance by Chris Knox.

When I was a kid I lived across the road from St Pius church, and the Samoan choir used to turn up there ... and I’d listen to the music, I’d listen to the choir singing, amd listen to the verbratos banging against each other, and the harmonies; weird harmonies, fifths and thirds and some other little things in there somewhere. Individually they sort of broke a whole lotta rules, but all together it worked. Magical, absolutely magical.
– Dave Dobbyn