Awaken A Cappella

Awaken A Cappella is a collegiate a cappella group from UCLA. The group was founded in 1992, the first co-ed collegiate a cappella group in Southern California. It is recognized as being a pioneer in the West Coast collegiate contemporary a cappella tradition. Awaken has enjoyed a successful career, performing in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, UCLA Spring Sing, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, West Coast A Cappella Showcase in Berkeley, California, various a cappella festivals across California, as well as events in the Los Angeles community and on the UCLA campus. In 2009, Awaken was invited to open for Ben Folds at his concert at the Hollywood Palladium.
History
Awaken was founded in 1992 by UCLA students Keith Ogden, Joyce Yim, Olimpio Wen, and Shannon Seip, making it the university's premiere a cappella group.
Boasting members from all different majors, from musical theater to molecular biology, Awaken also has a rich history of alumni who have gone on to professional music careers. Notable former members include Sonos, Michael Garner, Matt Frankel, and Dan Chang from Los Angeles based indie pop band Lady Danville and Sara Bareilles. Bareilles can be heard on their Dysfunktional Family Album singing her original song "Gravity" and "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5.
Awaken has released six albums through its record label, A Cappella Records, two of which have been recognized by Best of Collegiate A Cappella. Their repertoire ranges from contemporary pop to rock classics to holiday standards and the occasional original piece. Awaken consists of 15-18 undergraduate students, one being a vocal percussionist.
Discography
Albums
* Synergy (1995)
* Co-ed Naked Singing (1997)
* Pitch-Slapped (2001)
* Dysfunktional Family Album (2003)
* Life's A Beach (2007)
* Awakenbake (2010)
Album Reviews
Awaken submits its albums to the Recorded A Cappella Review Board (RARB), a peer-based critique organization.
Pitch-Slapped
Overall: . Reviewed by Elie Landau, Guang Ming Whitley, and Bernard Levin.
Dysfunktional Family Album
Overall: . Reviewed by Elie Landau, Guang Ming Whitley, and Joshua Diamant.
Life's A Beach
Overall: Reviewed by Elie Landau, Guang Ming Whitley, and Kimmie Raschka Sailor.
Album Tracks
Synergy
1. Let The River Run (Carly Simon)
2. Zombie Jamboree (Conrad Eugene Mauge Jr.)
3. That Lonesome Road (Jamey Johnson)
4. Penny Lane (The Beatles)
5. The Lion Sleeps Tonight (The Tokens)
6. Denko
7. Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da (The Beatles)
8. A Foreign Affair
9. Short People (Randy Newman)
10. Who's Loving You/Need You (The Jackson 5)
11. The Star Spangled Banner
Co-ed Naked Singing
1. Always (Stevie Wonder)
2. Some Fantastic (Barenaked Ladies)
3. Stand By Me (Ben E. King)
4. In the Gloaming
5. Lioness Hunt (from Disney's Lion King)
6. Crazy Love (Van Morrison)
7. Seven
8. Ave Maria ("composed by" J.S. Bach)
9. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
10. Two Shy Hearts
11. Walkin'
Pitch-Slapped
1. Walk Like an Egyptian (The Bangles)
2. LIke a Prayer (Madonna)
3. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (Doris Day)
4. Groovy Kind of Love (Phil Collins)
5. Fast As You Can (Fiona Apple)
6. If I Ever Fall in Love (Shai)
7. God Only Knows (The Beach Boys)
8. Kissing You (Des'ree)
9. You Can Call Me Al (Paul Simon)
10. Come And Go With Me
11. The Ladder (Prince)
12.Under Pressure (Queen)
Dysfunktional Family Album
1. Mr. Roboto (The Styx)
2. Love Fool (The Cardigans)
3. Freedom (George Michael)
4. Gravity (Sara Bareilles)
5. Never There (Cake)
6. Fair (Ben Folds)
7. Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)
8. I Want You Back (Jackson 5)
9. And So It Goes (Billy Joel)
10. Virtual Insanity (Jamiroquai)
11. Tell Him (Lauryn Hill)
Life's a Beach
1. I Feel The Earth Move (Carole King)
2. Movin' Out (Billy Joel)
3. Anyway You Want It (Journey)
4. Where Are You Going (Dave Matthews Band)
5. Scar (Missy Higgins)
6. Tribute (Tenacious D)
7. Chariot (Gavin DeGraw)
8. Walking in Memphis (Marc Cohn)
9, Hide And Seek (Imogen Heap)
10. Ain't Nobody (Chaka Kahn)
11. Afternoon Delight (The Starland Vocal band)
12. Book Of Love (Peter Gabriel)
13. Career Day (Mikey G from Lady Danville)
14. Scream (Michael Jackson), (Janet Jackson)
Awakenbake
1. Cry Me A River (Justin Timberlake)
2. Did You Get My Message (Jason Mraz)
3. Many The Miles (Sara Bareilles)
4. Viva La Vida (Coldplay)
5. Protection (Massive Attack)
6. Isn't She Lovely/Signed Sealed Delivered (Stevie Wonder)
7. You Don't Care (Sidestory)
8. Free Fallin' (Tom Petty)
9. Your Part (Katie Boeck)
10. Hate That I Love You (Rihanna), (Ne-Yo)
11. Home (Marc Broussard)
12. How Come You Don't Call Me (Alicia Keys)
13. With A Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles)

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