Two generations of a cappella groups, Absolute and The Dots, let go of fear for a pair of 'Unplugged' performances at ArtCentric

When it came time to choose a title for their a cappella group's spring concert, the ladies of Absolute wanted something that reflected the humor and whimsy integral to their performance style.

They decided to go with "Absolute: Unplugged."

"Are we ever not unplugged? That's all we are. It's kind of a goofy, inside joke," said Micki Reaman, who's been with the group since its inception in February 2004.

The group is the brainchild of Julie Williams, a physical education teacher at Corvallis High School. It's gone through various configurations as some members moved away or needed to take time off, and others joined.

Presently, Absolute consists of Williams, Reaman, Elizabeth Wyatt, Shelley Willis and Robin Patterson.

Some of Absolute's singers performed with Jubilate!, Four-in-Hand, Aeroterra and other local bands and choirs before deciding to form their own group.

Absolute is self-directed, and the singers do most of their own song arrangements. This can add to the inherent challenges already facing a cappella groups, said Wyatt, theater director for the Corvallis School District.

Without instrumental accompaniment, "it has to be pretty darn near perfect. There's nowhere to hide, so any mistakes are obvious," Wyatt said.

A cappella singing also has its rewards. The group has sharp attention to detail, and blends very well, Wyatt said.

"There's bliss that happens when the harmonies come together. These women are all fantastic people with great voices individually, but when we put them together, it's spectacular," she said.

"We get to play, have fun and take risks," added Reaman, education coordinator at ArtCentric.

During the group's May 26 and 27 performances, the singers will get to take some additional risks, as each tackles a solo. Suzannah Doyle on piano and Kristin Latham on bass will provide accompaniment on some songs.

Also joining Absolute in concert will be The Dots, an a cappella group that includes Corvallis High School students Eva Claycomb, Emily Burlock, Sala Wodtke, Corey Jay and Ivy Farrell, and Crescent Valley student Emma Sackinger.

For her solo contribution, Reaman decided on the jazz standard "The Nearness of You," recently covered by Norah Jones.

Wyatt will tackle KT Tunstall's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," and Willis and Patterson will perform "Twisted" as a duet.

Williams looked to Billy Joel when selecting her spotlight number, and went with "New York State of Mind."

"'New York State of Mind' is just a great song. I love the piano and how it plays with the voice, and Suze is such a fabulous pianist. I just love the torch singer idea. It's the only good reason that I can think of to put on a dress," said Williams, who counts Diana Krall, Eva Cassidy, Barbara Streisand, The Coats and The Nylons among her musical idols.

Absolute performs a mix of original songs and covers, everything from South African freedom songs to doo-wop to contemporary folk music.

The current set list includes Paul Simon's "Cecilia," Sweet Honey in the Rock's "Wanting Memories" and Billy Joel's "The Longest Time."

At the upcoming concerts, the group also will perform a composition by Williams, "Last Sweet Breath," a post-Sept. 11 reflection.

"I had seen images that a friend had brought back from her work in the Sept. 11 aftermath. She had photos of people that were falling from the World Trade Center on the day of the terrorist attacks," she said. "They were hauntingly serene, and I will never forget their position in space, the looks on their faces, the complete peace and abandon that was present.

"'Last Sweet Breath' is about living right now. It's about letting go of the perceived security of your 401(k) and your pension and letting go of a belief that some other soul is more important than your own and accepting that life is a free-fall, and that everything is going to be OK if we just let go of fear."

Mary Ann Albright can be reached at 758-9518 or maryann.albright@lee.net.