White Men Can’t Jump
A cappella has made its mark all over the movie world across the years. In At the Movies we spotlight highlights and lowlights from the musical form we love in motion pictures.
This time, we spotlight White Men Can’t Jump.
This Woody Harrelson-Wesley Snipes comedy with surprising tastes of social consciousness is one of the last places you might think to look for a cappella. And discerning listeners will, of course, recognize that the sound on this intro sequence to film isn’t truly a cappella (or else one of those guys has a mean a cappella guitar). Despite the image of a cappella singers proving illusory, what’s cool about this scene is the use of a cappella to set a distinctive scene. On the outskirts of the Venice Beach courts, this crew of three old time music men set a chill vibe, singing for the almighty lord (not to mention the almighty dollar), and welcoming Woody to the west coast basketball scene.
And how about that vocal trumpet on the finish!