"A combination of wit, comedy, original compositions, and favorite oldies, the first CD from Da Vinci's Notebook is a prize find. Their song "Liposuction" is an amusing commentary on the "nip and tuck" society, "Metal Shop" puts familiar 80s and 90s alternative music to the tune of barber shop singing, and "I Dream of Jeannie" is a cute a capella rendering of the theme music from the TV hit. Of the oldies songs, my favorite is "Blue Moon" -- it's sweet, frankly, and the boys' voices shine through this song. In general, this album is lots of fun and a great listen.My recommendation for any a capella fan is to buy this album and keep an eye out for their new CD, which should be more widely available in January of 2000. Their new songs are even wittier, more satyrical, and utterly impossible to get out of your head. You can also buy the new disc, "The Life and Times of Mike Flanning" now at live shows (where I just bought mine)."
Awesome, funny, talented, amazing!
Victor L. Peters | San Francisco, CA USA | 03/23/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was fortunate enough to twice see this little group perform when I lived in Washington DC. They are awesome! This CD is wonderful. Every single song is beautifully performed. Their renditions of "Sgt. Pepper", "With A Little Help from my Friends", "Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay", and "Stuck In the Middle With You" are jammin versions that are arguably better than the origonals. "Liposuction", "Fish Sticks", "Traffic Jam", and "Shoehorn with Teeth" are hysterical. "Window Washing Cowboy" is a humerous, sad, and beautiful ballad in the classical style.
This CD has a nice mix of "serious" fun songs and funny songs. If you want a more humorous CD, check out their "The Life And Times of Mike Fanning" CD. The songs on that CD are just as beautifully performed by almost every song on that CD is funny and will have you rolling on the floor.
If you live in on the East Coast, check their website to see when you can see them live, they're live shows are awesome!
Enjoy!"
Incredible, hilarious, impressive, and a must-have!
Victor L. Peters | 02/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"From the soulful rendition of the Mickey Mouse Club theme song to the hilarious sales pitch of "Liposuction," Da Vinci's Notebook shows their breadth and depth of humor and sound in this signature album. A definite winner, and a keeper in any collection. Especially enjoyed tracks include "The Joy of Pickled Okra," "Metal Shop," and "I Dream of Jeannie." It'll keep you laughing and keep you humming for days afterwards!"
Terrific a cappela group, and funny besides
Victor L. Peters | 02/17/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"We heard this group at First Night Montgomery and were impressed by their vocal a cappela talent. And they had a great sense of humor. We loved it. As a result, we keep buying their CD for gifts. The CD is great but they are a lot more fun in person."
Breakin' Bendy's Law
Mr. T | New Jersey | 09/06/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a huge fan of a cappella music (though I can't spell it to save my life), and this is some good mouth music. The covers are nicely melodic, and the originals are... very original. Da Vinci's Notebook reminds me very strongly of the Bobs, without a female vocalist, which shouldn't be too surprising, since Richard "Bob" Greene helped produce their albums.
"Liposuction" and "Metal Shop" are great. "Lipo"'s lyrics will have you rolling (though you'll have to play it back half-a-dozen times to catch all the cleverness), and "Metal"'s concept (heavy metal songs done in four-part harmony) is, at the least, grin-inducing. "Traffic Jam" is also a well-crafted song. The rest of the originals are so-so.