Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 A DECADE LATER I STILL REMEMBER EVERY NOTE ! ! ! December 26, 1999
Eddie Landsberg (Tokyo, Japan)
33 out of 33 found this review helpful
This is an incredible album. I could swear it came out earlier than 87, because I remember being at Bodine HS in Philly. I remember going down to the old THIRD STREET JAZZ to buy it in Vinyl. Was 87 ALL that long ago ? -- And besides, a CLASSIC Jazz album done in the '80s ? Well, this one belongs in any true Jazz affecianado's library. - - Here's why got the album... I was a huge Eddie Jefferson fan. Eddie Jefferson was the Godfather of Vocalese -- the art of ascribing lyrics to often humorous high speed heavy swinging bebop solos, which is what this album was about... I heard cuts on our now half defunct Jazz radio station and ran out and got it. Each and every song on the album made an impression on me and made me want to go out and hunt down the instrumental versions, so the impact of the album carried on for years... To that extent I think this album is not only great for straight ahead Jazz (as well as TRANSFER fans) but it would be a great gift to any friends you have who are just getting into Jazz, even children who might be dazzled by the TRANSFER's vocal acrobatics or for those unfortunate who actually think Kenny G is a gifted "Jazz" soloist (ROFL). - If I'm not mistaken this was also the album that introduced Bobby McFerrin to the public at large via his brilliant performance of NIGHT IN TUNISIA. - - I also remember many great musicians (who would pass within a few years) also doing cameos on the album. - - Anyway, listen to the samples, then get this album, but dont forget to listen to the people who it paid tribute too as well. LAMBERT HENDRIX AND ROSS, KING PLEASURE and EDDIE JEFFERSON especially - - also check out the MARK MURPHY anthology.
A Pinnacle in Popular Music June 8, 2005
Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
This doesn't have to be your favorite MT record. You don't even have to like Manhattan Transfer or approve of the notion that verbalizing inspired solos by jazz instrumental artists is "creative." What remains indisputable is the sheer technical aplomb, the stunning virtuosity, the singular if not unthinkable success of this "grandiose" project. I can't think of anything in the realm of any genre of vocal ensemble music that is at once as bold in concept, challenging in design, impressive in achievement as this recording.
Manhattan Transfer has now been performing for an amazing 36 years (26 for Cheryl Bentyne), and it's doubtful they'll ever top "Vocalese," the dazzling recording on which they manage to execute John Hendricks' Joycean transcriptions of Clifford Brown-Sonny Rollins' solos without missing a beat. So demanding is the program of this particular set that I would have imagined some "creative" studio editing was responsible for the final product. Imagine again. (The live concert filmed in Japan is living proof of the utter technical precision of the group not to mention its showmanship and stage-savvy choreography.)
The highlights are Sonny Rollin's "Airegin" and, my personal favorite, Clifford Brown's "Joy Spring" (retitled "Sing Joy Spring"), though Thad Jones' "To You" bears testimony to the rising star of its trumpeter-composer. The "solos" of each of the four members are no less extraordinary than the lightning fast unisons and harmonic passages.
Some fans of jazz have traditionally dissed groups like Manhattan Transfer (or Lambert, Hendricks & Ross or the Four Freshmen) on the grounds that it's less jazz than "copy cat" music performed by non-musicians (i.e. vocalists). Bassist Charles Mingus was perhaps the most outspoken critic of such attempts to "transcribe" jazz into "vocalese." Whether or not these four exceptional singers are jazz musicians or jazz "ambassadors," all I know is that they've given me pleasure and inspired me to return to the originals.
The group has had a tremendous run, but before they run out of transfers and pull into the last station, I hope they record some more jazz transcriptions--preferably Mingus tunes like "Goodbye, Pork Pie Hat," "Fables of Faubus," "Pithecanthropus Erectus," and "Better Git It in Your Soul." (I can hear Mingus tap dancing in his grave.)
The CD I find Myself Listening To The Most From This Group May 16, 2000
Leslie O. Richard (St. Louis, Missouri)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I would have to say that this CD came along at a time in my life when I really needed it. I find that all the tracks are ones that I sing in my head often after I listen to this CD. "Sing Joy Spring" would be, if one had to choose, the one track I play over and over. Other tracks such as "Blee Blop Blues", "To You", "Move", and "Killer Joe" are notable tracks as well. If one had to buy only one CD that truly represented this group, this CD would be in the running according to this reviewer.
The real best of the Manhattan Transfer January 14, 2004
Rick Cornell (Reno, Nv USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
My favorite Manhattan Transfer tune of all time is not on this album, and not on "The Best of" album, either; it's Basie's "Corner Pocket" from "Mecca for Moderns." But overall, this is the most even, balanced Transfer album of all. Jon Hendricks wrote some terrific words for the Transfer to sing, and the group really shows their chops on tunes like "Sing Joy Spring", "Move" and "Bennie Bailey." If you can find it, check out this album on video; the Transfer did a hilarious send-up of "The Lucy Show" on "Blee Blop Blues." Cheryl Bentine does a dead-on of Lucy. Overall, highly recommended for fans of this genre.
5 Stars is Not Enough! November 16, 1998
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I remember going to a Manhattan Transfer concert in 1995 (8 years after the release of this album) and repeatedly wherever I went I overheard people praising this album as THE Manhattan Transfer album.I agree. It simply is THE best of it's kind. I think it won TONS of Grammy's the vocal arrangements are top notch. If you don't have a "sophisticated" ear it'll grow on you, if you do, there are endless listening hours ahead of you to catch all the nuances of this recording. No doubt about it, this CD proved that TMT was the greatest vocal group of all time!
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