Review: Six

[Just a note: I wrote all my reports that are being posted last week, while we were on vacation. So they sound like they're written in real time, but that "real time" was actually a week ago. We're home now, and I'm working crazy hours with parent-teacher conferences, so it's nice to have it all ready to go. Thanks to those who are commenting. It is much appreciated!]

I first heard about the show Six a few months ago on my favorite Branson message board. I'm pretty sure it was around Thanksgiving, because I'm pretty sure I was planning our Thanksgiving trip.

The show had good buzz.

As they say in the business.

Which I'm not in, but I still know how to recognize when a show has true buzz and when a show is just promoting itself and trying to disguise the promotion as "buzz." (coughcoughBartRockettcoughcough)

So when we decided to come for Spring Break, Six was on my list of shows I wanted to see. And lucky for me, they just opened last week, so we did get to see the show.

I made our reservations back in February, and Dan was a bit miffed when we picked up our tickets. You see, we had tickets in the 2nd row. And my husband doesn't so much mind going to shows, but he really hates being in the 1st or 2nd row. Part of it is a fear of being called on stage (which is something he would not do... not just that he doesn't want it to happen, it's flat out would not do it) and the other part is that he feels that in most theaters, you really don't see the stage fully unless you're a few rows back.

And guess what? The theater where Six performs doesn't have a row 1.

We were in the front row.

The boy was not thrilled, but he sat. Sorta my fault because I didn't even ask where our seats would be. But then again, I've learned that even if they tell you where you'll be sitting, they feel free to move you if a group comes in (coughcoughMusicCityCentrecoughcough). I'm trying not to be bitter about that. Can ya tell?

Anyway, back to Six.

We're sitting front row, and I've just got this show built up so big in my mind that I know that they're probably not going to come close to this expectation I have.

Not only did they come close, they topped it.

The premise behind the show is that these are six brothers who perform only with their voices. No back up band, no back up tracks. Only voices. It's not acappella, really. They provide their own background music through what I've always called 'beat boxing.' If you're watching American Idol, think Blake, but on a bigger scale.

It's pretty amazing when you're sitting there, listening, to think that every bit of what you're hearing is coming from their mouths. They are all great singers, but the whole package is what sells it.

Our favorite part? The Beach Boys segment. We've been going to Branson shows for six years now. All Dan ever wants to see is a Beach Boys segment. And earlier this week, my girls and I got in a big discussion about the Beach Boys while they were watching an old episode of Full House. We are a Beach Boys loving family. And finally -- finally! -- Dan got his Beach Boys.

But that wasn't all. There were some hilarious segments in there, so much so that I had tears coming from my eyes and Ches was literally falling out of her chair. A segment on Broadway and they won points with Ches by singing Greased Lightening. A Motown segment. Each of the brothers had the opportunity to sing lead in a song. They all have very strong voices, and any of them can carry a song. It's great that they can provide their own drums and bass line, but it's also nice to know that they're all talented vocally, too.

Did the beat boxing get old after two hours? Not a bit. The style and genre of the music was varied enough that I never sat in my seat and thought, "OK, move on." Do I think this show is for everyone? No, probably not. I knew I would love the show because I'm all about voices, but I wasn't sure what my husband would think. He's more of a "I want to hear a band" kind of guy. For the record, he really enjoyed it. In fact, he was the one who suggested we pick up the CDs during intermission. Coming from a man who is super cautious about spending money, that's a pretty good endorsement. We bought the gospel CD as a Father's Day gift for my FIL, and got the Live CD for our van.

The Knudsen brothers had been performing in Vegas and on cruises. During the show, they said they love Branson and plan to stay for a long time to come.

We'll be there to see them.

Comments

[Kellie (joelsgirl)]

Oh my goodness, girl! Branson should pay you for these reviews! You make me want to head that way.

[bransoncutie]

Girlfriend, I love your review of SIX!!! Thanks for sharing it!!!

[HaleyW]

Well, Six is now on our list of shows to see! Thanks for the fabulous review!