Search - Take 6 :: The Standard

A Fun Listen

R. McRae | Saugus, CA | 10/02/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A collection of Jazz, R&B and Inspirational recordings with a twist of Take 6 arrangements and vocals, unmatched by anyone else out there. Not your typical Take 6 Gospel recording, but a fun listen with superb guest appearances. Leaning more towards secular jazz tunes may cause some a bit of concern that they've left their gospel roots. But after attending a very recent performance in Los Angeles, their testimony is still as strong as ever. Good music from the best vocal ensemble out there."

Still the Finest Sounding A Capella Group Around

Rick Cornell | Reno, Nv USA | 12/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've expressed my profound admiration for Take 6 before. To repeat myself, I thought the first c.d. and "So Much 2 Say" were two of the finest a capella recordings ever made; but I became profoundly disappointed when the group went pop in "Join the Band." So, I ignored them for about 12 years. Then, I became excited when the group released "Feels So Good" in 2006, and returned to its rich gospel roots. But when I heard they were following up that one with this c.d. regarding standards, I thought, "Oh, no, is this 'Join the Band' again?"



Answer: no, not at all. In fact, this c.d. confirms in my mind that Take 6 is the finest sounding a capella group in the U.S.



In this release, the group explores its jazz roots and does riffs on a number of standards. On most of them, they sing back-up - and prove that they are a number of levels above the Pips, the Vandellas, the Blue Notes, the Miracles, and any other long-time a capella backup group you may care to name.



So many highlights; where to begin?



Let's start with possibly the most impressive cut on the disc: Verve gave them the rights to borrow an old Ella Fitzgerald solo of "A Tisket A Tasket" (the liner notes don't say when, but I'm guessing some time in the '50's), and the group does some heavenly back-up over Ella's "solo." Ah, but if only these 7 artists could have met in the flesh!



Or consider "Seven Steps to Heaven." Jon Hendricks does the vocalese lyrical honors (who else?) and the leadoff vocal, with Al Jarreau taking over thereafter. With Till Bronner doing a tremendous impression of Miles Davis, this cut just shines.



Or consider "Someone to Watch Over Me." With Shelea Frazier taking the lead, this is the most soulful rendition of this Gershwin standard ever.



And I adore "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans." With Aaron Neville doing the honors, I think this is my favorite rendition of this song ever (including Satchmo's!).



Or look what they do to the old Nat King Cole classic, "Straighten Up and Fly Right." With George Benson doing the honors, Take 6 kicks butt. Again, if only Take 6 had been around at the time Natalie's father had made this popular!



To prove that the group has not lost sight of its gospel roots, however, they end the disc with "Shall We Gather at the River?" and a wordless "Grace." It's quite clear that everything these guys do is with the glorification of God in mind; but it's equally clear that they don't have to wear their religions on their sleeves to pump out great recordings.



20 years later, I must say: Take 6 still rules! RC"

A cappella at its best

Sophia Bilides | 11/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've waited years for this amazing a cappella gospel group to make a recording of jazz standards, and the results were worth the wait. Their incredibly tight harmonies, ambitious arrangements (kudos to Mark Kibble), and glorious ensemble sound bring a cappella singing to another level entirely. Sweet Georgia Brown is pure joy, Straighten Up And Fly Right is pure swing, and A Tisket A Tasket is pure fun. There's also a lushly beautiful Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans, with Aaron Neville's honeyed voice and a delightful brass band imitation. Their greatest achievement here, though, is the R&B classic What's Going On, which their unaccompanied voices soulfully blend into a soaring, powerful groove that demands repeated listening. Enjoy."