Search - Manhattan Transfer :: Chick Corea Songbook

Their Best Since Vocalise

Richard Dobrydney | USA | 10/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow, this really came out of left field. When I first saw it in the store I said, "Yeah, of COURSE --- Transfer and Chick's tunes !!". And it works in a BIG way. Some of Chick's best known and not so well known compostions. Without a doubt their best since the landmark "Vocalise", and in my opinion the best jazz/pop/vocal recording I have heard in the last 20 years, bar NONE. It is THAT good. The arrangements (both vocal and instrumental) are spectacular. Production is IMMACULATE. Really, you won't hear a more STUNNING sounding CD anywhere. A few highlights (there are

so many) --- Alan Paul's terrific reading of "Times Lie", one of Chick's most beautiful tunes. His voice has really matured and deepened over the years. A great take on "Spain" (I like the slower tempo), and a fantastic new compostion of Chick's called "Free Samba" that really cooks with some dizzying vocal harmonies. Cheryl Bentyne's gorgeous reading of "500 Miles High" will leave you open-mouthed. Over and out with a hot latin version of "Armando's Rhumba" with great lyrics and a spirited performance by Janis Siegel. This recording has inspiration, class, and excellence written all over it. And given the state of the current music scene, that is saying a LOT. Do yourself a big favor. GET THIS. NOW."

Auto-Tune ruins what could have been ManTran's best album.

Andrew Grobengieser | New York City | 04/10/2010

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I am nearly lost for words after giving this album a listen.



As a lifetime fan, I was unbelievably excited to hear of the release of a Chick Corea songbook. And then I listened. It only took me a moment before a sinking feeling set in, as I realized that ManTran, one of the best-blending and most in-tune vocal ensembles in recorded-music history, has succumbed to the scourge of modern recording known as "Auto-Tune". Yes, Manhattan Transfer fans, welcome to the world GLEE and Cher. It's all over the place on group harmonies, and even rears its ugly head on a few of the solo vocals.



I mean, really. Why ON EARTH would this production choice be made? It takes what are otherwise very hip and adventuresome arrangements, and makes them roboticized, metallic, cold, and inhuman.



I can't type any more as I'm getting angrier and angrier by the moment. The only reason I'm giving this two stars instead of one is because of the inventiveness of the arrangements and re-interpretations of classic Corea tunes."

Vocalese-Z Duz It

Alan Dorfman | DELRAY BEACH, FL United States | 10/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vocalese is a style or genre of jazz singing wherein lyrics are written for melodies that were originally part of an all-instrumental composition or improvisation.



Whereas they may not have invented the genre (credit Eddie Jefferson for that), or are most closely associated with it (that would be Lambert, Hendricks and Ross), but Cheryl Bentyne, Tim Hauser, Alan Paul and Janis Siegel - collectively known as The Manhattan Transfer - have almost single-handedly (and four-voicedly) kept Vocalese alive during the last quarter-century.



Beginning with their 1985 album called Vocalese, which received 12 Grammy nominations, they have generally included one or more vocalese songs on almost every one of their albums. Now they have gone back to a complete CD of vocalese, this time with "The Chick Corea Songbook" and in the process have recorded their most energetic, engaging collection in years.



After nearly 40 years together their harmonies are effortless and flawless and the brilliance of their vocal musicianship still mesmerizes and awes. The choice of songs by Chick Corea, suggested by Executive Producer Yusuf Gandhi, has provided the group with its most challenging material in years and they have gleefully risen to the occasion which each member submitting lyrics to complement the wonderfully eclectic selection.



If you are a fan of The Manhattan Transfer or vocalese, as I am, you will love "The Chick Corea Songbook."



If you are not familiar with either, try "The Story Of Anna & Armando (Armando's Rhumba)" the lyrics of which tell the true story of Chick Corea's parents, "Time's Lie," one of several songs featuring brilliant pianist Fred Hersch, "500 Miles High" with its delicious flute solo from Lou Marini, the wonderfully arranged "Another Roadside Attraction (Space Circus)" and "Free Samba" which opens and closes the CD and features Chick Corea himself. I think you'll thank me that you did.



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