YOUNG@HEART CHORUS: Mostly Live

Young@Heart Chorus

Mostly Live

© 2007 Young@Heart Chorus (700261221588)

CD permanently out of stock. Sorry!

The latest CD from the group featured in the film "Young@Heart" released by Fox Searchlight in April 2008. Old folks give new meaning to rock and roll.

notes

The floors will thud. The walls will shake. The innards of that old piano will take a licking they'll never forget. The Young@Heart Chorus is warming up.
Belinda McKeon - Irish Times, September 28, 2007

When the audience empties out of the theater at the end of Young@Heart's Dartmouth concert, they are a wide-eyed, flabbergasted mob. Few knew what to expect, and those who thought they knew are shocked.
Jake Coyle, AP, 2007

Mostly Live plays out as a poignant celebration of life from the vantage of those who continue to live it to the fullest...the Young@Heart chorus gives unique expression to the songs we thought a later generation owned.
Ariana Venturi, Bomb Magazine, 2007

It sounds like a gimmick, and a cheap one at that, but the "Fix You" clip was extraordinary, not least because of the grave, graceful lead vocal performance by chorus member Fred Knittle, who has a heart condition and sang with a breathing tube attached to his nose. Young @ Heart's "Fix You" is touching and dignified. Most importantly, it's a fine piece of music.
Jody Rosen, Slate Magazine, 2007

Les 22 choristes américains de Young@Heart - 79 ans en moyenne - sont en tournée en France, reprenant des tubes avec une énergie puisant dans la noirceur et la dérision.
René Solis, Liberation, 2007

An amazing choir from Northampton, Massachusetts. I recently brought them to New York for my "How New Yorkers Ride Bikes" event at Town Hall. (they sang Queen's "Bicycle Race" of course). The next day at the Paris Bar they did their own show of songs by the Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth and others - all of which seemed to take on completely new meaning.
David Byrne, Music: Best of 2007, Artforum


Young @ Heart began in 1982 and one year later staged our first production, “Stompin’ at the Salvo”, with Roy Faudree from No Theater. In 1984 we began collaborating with other arts organizations. That year we created “Boola Boola Bimini Bop” with a group of Latino break-dancers from a local housing project. Other projects included "Oh No a Condo" in 1988, with Cambodian folk artists and punk rockers and in 1991 “Louis Lou I – A Revolting Musical” reunited us with Roy and No Theater for a re-telling of the French Revolution using the songs of Sinatra. In 1994 we created "Flaming Saddles", a big campy production with the Pioneer Valley Gay Men’s Chorus. There were many others along the way.

In 1997 Young @ Heart in “Road to Heaven” staged by No Theater premiered at the R Festival in Rotterdam. We went on to 12 more tours of Europe, Australia and Canada from 1997-2004. Young @ Heart in “Road to Nowhere” staged by No Theater premiered fall 2004 in the Oude Luxor Theater in Rotterdam presented by the Rotterdamse Schouwburg. After a 12-show run in London in 2005, “Road to Nowhere” toured to Zurich, Berlin, the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival 2007, LE QUAI THEATRE IN Angers and THE NATIONAL THEATRE OF Strasbourg, France.

“Alive and Well”, the Y @ H in concert, features songs from past productions and also allows us to experiment with new music in front of a live audience. We’ve performed “Alive and Well” on college campuses and clubs in the US and at the Glor-Irish Music Centre in Ennis, Ireland. Young @ Heart recently released a CD, “Mostly Live”. The documentary, “Young @ Heart”, aired on television across Europe, won two Rose d’Or awards, the LA Film Festival Audience Award, screened at Sundance 2008 and it is APRIL 2008 Fox Searchlight release in North American theaters.

The current performers in Young @ Heart range in age from 71 to 88. There are some with prior professional theater or music experience, others who have performed extensively on the amateur level, and some who never stepped onto a stage before turning eighty. None of the current performers of Y@H were part of the original group that formed in 1982, but they have kept alive the spirit of the early pioneers and continue to push the group into glorious new directions.



The unusual thing about the "Young" musical group is that they do not perform standards made famous by Frank Sinatra or Nat King Cole but rather contemporary rock music by such groups as Coldplay, the Clash and Sonic Youth. It was the brainstorm of the chorus' director, Bob Cilman, to undercut expectations by training his group to perform today's music rather than yesterday's classics.
Stephen Farber, Reuters, 2007


Young @ Heart," which chronicles the trials, tribulations and joys of a remarkable chorus of senior citizens who perform covers of songs by the likes of Sonic Youth, James Brown, the Clash and Coldplay. A crowd-pleaser in the best sense, this alternately hilarious and heartbreaking movie will send you out of the theater with a new lease on life.
David Ansen, Newsweek, 2008

You soon find yourself utterly involved in the lives of these men and women as they try to pin down new songs such as James Brown’s “I Feel Good” and Sonic Youth’s “Schizophrenia.” But it’s not all laughs. The shadow of illness and loss soon falls upon the group and as they gamely soldier on with rehearsals and performances, it becomes abundantly clear that the singing is not just about getting out of the old folks’ home but a way of preserving a sense of purpose and dignity as old age chips away at so much else.
Emily Poenisch

reviews

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  • Brilliant
    author: M Webber

    Saw the documentary some time ago on TV and always remebered the coldplay track which sent shivers down my back. The CD is excellent..

  • Never Too Old to Rock
    author: John Leighton

    What an inspiration! It gave me great heart to see the programme on TV and now great pleasure to own the CD of the memorable performances. Recommended to all ages especially those who think they are old and past it. I look forward to the DVD of the show.

  • Mostly Live
    author: columbine

    I love this CD. It reminds me every time I listen to it how much I loved the movie, too.

  • Young at Heart
    author: Joanna Stellato Kabat

    We saw the movie first and sent for the CD. I enjoy hearing songs I would not expect older people to sing, sound new with meaning. I enjoyed seeing older people have such joie de vivre and a willingness to do something new and challenging even when ill or VERY old. That's the way to be! My dad taught his first art class at 90 - he's part of this group that stays active, curious about life and willing to try new things. It touches me deeply.

  • Oldsters Rock!
    author: Summer

    Such a joy to possess recording of the group that took my breath away in the documentary that I watched with my sweet darling. We both bawled. Thanks, honey!

  • Young @ Heart
    author: Susan M. King

    I cannot articulate how beautiful and special this CD is. It is joyful, wonderful music. Highly recommended

  • Young@Heart
    author: Marsha

    My family and I have seen the movie twice and could not wait to get cd. This beautiful, heartfelt cd will be gifts for everyone this holiday season. How wonderful to be able to share such joy as well as being able to see the value in each day we have. I only wish I could express how meaningful this beautiful group is to those touched by their music and love of life.

  • superb
    author: M. David Snyder

    I saw the doc of the young at heart chorus and noticed they were selling this cd in the credits. These people can truly sing with heart. Makes me want to get older and join their choir.

  • Mostly Live-Young at Heart Chorus
    author: Suzanne Eaton

    The movie was fantastic and exceeded my expectations and I just had to have the CD. Like the movie, it too exceeded my expectations, by a mile. I could listen to it over and over. Their rendition of Forever Young is my favorite next to Fix You. I fell in love with Fred who sang that song and if you've seen the movie, I dare you to listen to it without a lump in your throat. I hadn't ever heard of Cold Play, who did the original recording of that song and it was interesting to listen to both versions. Cold Play's is beautiful, but I like Fred's better I think. I highly recommend this CD. I hope they sell a million copies!

  • Mostly Live
    author: catherine

    What a wonderful, moving and funny musical experience! After seeing the documentary Forever Young, about the Young@Heart Choir, I had to get the music for myself. Although a few favorites from the movie are missing (I Feel Good and I Think I Can), I so loved hearing, and remembering the context, of Fix You, Forever Young and the rest of the more modern songs interpreted by these very senior citizens. Inspiring and moving.

  • The way music should be
    author: Cassie Tillett

    The showing of the documentary on the UK's TV screens was of great importance to me. Life-affirming, inspirational, joyful... it's all been said before. Thank you for this CD, a perfect reminder of how life can be; and that music should know no limits. Now, please can we have the movie in the UK??

  • young@heart chorus
    author: sharon stewart

    I loved the movie and laughed, cryed and smiled at the same parts in the CD. I then loaned the CD to the folks I went to the movie with and they loved it too.

  • Young@Heart
    author: donn weipert

    I love this CD. The mix is either made up of songs I know and enjoy or new ones that I enjoy! It also reminds me of the movie, which I loved.

  • Young@Heart
    author: Carolyn Haines

    I loved this movie so much that after seeing it I immediately ordered the CD. It is wonderful- touching, heartwarming, inspirational and funny.

  • This CD is a MUST!!!
    author: Karla

    Every time I listen to this CD it warms my heart. Beautiful, heartwarming, and just plain FABULOUS!!!!!!

  • Good for the heart
    author: Jazz Baby

    Saw the movie (wonderful)! And then just had to have the music (also wonderful). Highly recommended. Added bonus: new reasons to love talking heads, the clash, U2. Best song on CD is "Do something Different". Rid yourself of fashion, disappear.

  • Young at Heart
    author: Betty for Jim

    My son, who lives in Atlanta, highly recommended the movie, after seeing it. I waited for weeks for it to open in the Berkshires, saw it, and it touched my heart. I bought my son the CD and know that every time he listens to it, not only will it bring him joy, he will know that his mother loves him and is always thinking of him.

  • Artistique
    author: Pierrot74

    Ce n'est pas un cd Culte, mais on prend vraiment plaisir a l'ecouter, c'est divertissent. Le côté spectacle est là. L'enregistrement est de bonne qualité

  • ALIVE
    author: ELAINE HOOPER

    THE MOVIE DELIGHTED ME AND I IMMEDIATELY ORDERED THE CD TO ENJOY AND REMEMBER SUCH AN ENJOYABLE, MOVING EVENT! THE MUSIC LIFTS ME AND THE SINGERS LIGHT UP MY LIFE!

  • Wonderful
    author: ben lukoff

    Love it, love it, love it. Perfect companion to the film. Only wish some more performances from the film, like the prison concert, were on here. But perhaps that's for volume 2!

  • Young@heart/Mostly Live!
    author: katrina

    I really love this CD! The version of "Fix You" is reason enough to buy this CD! However, all the songs on this album have landed in the “Favorites” play list on my ipod. The Young @ Heart Choir really puts a wonderful and whimsical spin on some of my favorite songs.

  • Young@Heart Mostly Live
    author: Karen Kabakoff

    Saw the documentary and had to have the CD. It's one of my new favorites!

  • Young at Heart
    author: Amy

    I picked up the CD after seeing the film Young at Heart, and was both pleased to discover the music stood up well on its own, and delighted at the few gems not featured in the film. Like the best covers, these tracks pay tribute to the original music while bringing something new to the table.

  • Mostly Live!
    author: dawn kleinknecht

    Saw the film and smiled all the way home. Couldn't wait to get the CD and share this inspiring music with others. It doesn't dissapoint. Thank you for never being too old to learn!

  • author: christianne hilgenberg

    I adore this music first off, these folks can sing they take the best of meaningful rock and roll and give new life to the melodies if there are lyrics you never understood you may find you understand them Now bravo, Bob !!!

  • Young At Heart
    author: Corinne Northrup

    Saw the movie twice and have played the album each day ever since. Makes my day and I can visualize each person singing. Almost like they are all my friends and we are having another great Young At Heart Day. Thank you all for giving such an inspiring gift to everyone. Keep it up!

  • Mostly Live
    author: Heather Johnson

    If you saw the film Young @ Heart, you'll love the CD Mostly Live. It features several of the songs that were performed in the Young @ Heart movie (Schizophrenia, Forever Young, Fix You, Should I Stay or Should I Go) as well as some others that take on a whole new meaning with the Young @ Heart chorus singing them. The CD is inspiring and also fun to listen to. I find myself singing along with the CD as I'm driving. So glad Young @ Heart made the Mostly Live CD.

  • Young@heart
    author: Juanita Milton

    Love it. It is inspiring.

  • Mostly Live
    author: Dorian Beighley

    Love the CD,love the group, love the idea. Its all so wonderful.

  • Wundervoll!!!
    author: Anke

    That's a great album! We loved the film and now we enjoy the CD, we hope to see you live on stage!!!

  • Mostly Live
    author: Donald L. Brightwell

    What can one say ? The album is simply so good. Each song is made more meaningful, by the chorus, in the simple way they sing each song and bring them to life. Everyone sould be able to relate to their versions. I look forward to the next release. I hope " Road to Nowhere " is on it, along with others I have heard. After all, good music is good music.

  • So good
    author: Anna Schaefers

    I've been singing in choirs all my life, and it's so good to know that I can continue for many, many years! I saw Young@Heart in Concert in Berlin,I never laughed and cried so much in a show. I can't wait for the movie to open in Germany.

  • young@heart
    author: R N McCarter

    Inspirational! Makes me appreciate my growing older. Now to see the movie!

  • Mostly Live
    author: Pamela Burnett

    An awesome CD with some amazing songs. Can't recommend listening to Fix You enough. I think it's way better than the Coldplay version! If you get a chance absolutely see the movie!

  • young@heart
    author: wwdillon

    Great cd - one of a kind - please hurry with another. A classic!!!

  • Mostly Live
    author: Vicki

    Great music, wonderful singing where you can actually understand the words. See the movie. It's life transforming!

  • Mostly Live
    author: Vicki Burke

    Mostly Alive is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing, uplifting and inspirational CDs I have ever heard. What a glorious reminder that "Forever Young" truly is a state of mind & life choice! The songs took on a completely different meaning when sung by these remarkable Seniors!! They inspire you to live life to its fullest. I came out of the movie feeling my outlook on life was transformed. I just saw the movie Young @ Heart with friends and we laughed out loud so often and then cried at those tender, but heartbreaking moments. I had to order the CD today!!

  • When I'm 64 ...
    author: Brian Devereaux

    ... I'll still be too young for this group. I want to rock like that when I'm 73 to 93!! They've given me hope in growing old in that, when I'm 73, I can audition for their band. Its like you 'hear' their age, but they aren't singing 'Bicycle Built for 2'. Instead, they rock and do ballads in a fine manner. If you're over 40, buy it for hope; if you're under 40, buy it for your parents/grandparents and tell them you aren't the only one listening to that stuff you listen to. These people are for REAL! Put it on when you feel sorry for yourself.

  • Mostly Live
    author: Johna

    A totally different twist on a younger generation's music! They may be senior citizens, but they can still sing, and imbue new meaning and emotion into these classics.

  • Mostly Live
    author: Diane

    Having seen the documentary on the group I rushed out the next day to buy the CD and it is just as great as the movie was. I wish I could rate it higher it's a great buy.

  • mostly live
    author: matt

    it made me laugh, it made me cry, it became a part of me...

  • Mostly Live
    author: Eeege

    Great album. Just hearing the voices adds so much more meaning to the songs they sing.

  • Wonderful
    author: francine vidockler

    Well, the CD can't do for me what the film did, but it is close. Other people have mentioned the relevance and grace, and I can only affirm that it is both life sustaining & good music. Thanks!

  • Mostly Live
    author: usabrit3

    I loved it. I bought one as a gift for my sister too. It's so much fun! I tell everyone about it.

  • MOSTLY LIVE
    author: Donald Wilson

    What a unbelievable album. Shows how much amateur talent there is and for them to do it at their ages.Better than many of the bands of today

  • mostly live
    author: susan

    Wonderful! It was great listening to the music I grew up with and knowing it was a "cool" senior singing it! I work at an assisted living and I think I appreciated the album more than the residents. I'm sure it's because I know the songs.

  • mostly live
    author: linnea Duff

    Loved it loved it loved it. These songs take on new relevance when song by the young@heart chorus.

  • Mostly Live
    author: Lisa Boyer

    I LOVE THIS ALBUM! It give me hope for the future and I see there is always so much to live for!

  • Mostly Live
    author: Timi Gleason, San Diego, 2008

    I bought this CD after my 19 year old daughter saw this group in person! I am impressed with the selection of the songs and the quality of the sound. There's a lot of irony in the album...some of these songs take on new meaning when you consider that (first) you can understand the words, and (second) that an older person is saying them. You'll see what I mean. I am eager to see their film now. This makes a fun CD for someone celebrating an "older" birthday. My daughter's dad just turned 60, so guess what he got! It makes me smile to think of these artists being so flexible about their music and then performing it all over the world. It's difficult not to feel uplifted by the humor and joy of their teamwork!

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