Musicians: Tim Hauser, vocal;
Alan Paul, vocal;
Cheryl Bentyne, vocal;
Janis Siegel, vocal;
Lew Soloff, trumpet;
Wayne Johnson, guitar;
Yaron Gershovsky, keyboards;
Larry Klimas, saxes;
Review: I've always felt that the Manhattan Transfer has been sort of taken for granted
in popular music circles. They are almost too good. For decades now they have epitomized the classic vocal group, moving very easily into a variety of styles - Brazilian, swing, bebop, and flat-out pop. The four members - Tim Hauser, Alan Paul, Cheryl Bentyne, and Janis Siegel - have been together quite
a long time now, and it certainly shows in their live performances and on this
new recording. The vocal harmonies are tight beyond belief, and they swing their collective tails off.
In this new live set , recorded live on tour in Japan, they concentrate mainly on the music of Louis Armstrong and other swing era warhorses, and the
result is an electrifying performance, sparked by a relentlessly rocking backup
band and several featured soloists. The highlights are many , but a few must be
mentioned. Tim Hauser has a hilariously swinging time with "Old Man Mose" , the band pushing him to no end. Cheryl Bentyne displays her gorgeous ballad pipes on "Sugar" and "Do You Know What Means To Miss New Orleans?" "Up A Lazy
River" is given a fresh new treatment with Alan Paul (who has matured remarkedly as a vocalist) and the amazing Lew Soloff on trumpet (remember his
solo years ago on the Blood Sweat and Tears hit "Spinning Wheel"?) Here he does
his best Louis Armstrong imitation, with the halting phrasing and spectacular
high notes. Quite a performance. Janis Siegel puts her individual stamp on
"Stompin' At Mahogany Hall" and "Nothin' Could Be Hotter" as well as seamless
lead vocals on several other tracks. "Twilight Zone", a Transfer hit from some
time ago, is thrown in for good measure, and it cooks, thanks in no small part
to that terrific band. The set concludes with a lovely , quiet version of "My
Foolish Heart", the famous Transfer harmonies remarkedly intact.
This impressive set shows that the Transfer is still at the peak of their
collective powers, and the association with Telarc should be a fruitful one. As I stated earlier, they are too good, and its time we acknowleged them as one of the very best of a dying breed, THE classic vocal group. This CD is
proof positive . "Couldn't Be Hotter" indeed.
Tracks: Old Man Mose,
Moten's Swing,
A Tisket, A Tasket,
Sugar,
Up A Lazy River,
New Orleans,
Stars Fell On Alabama,
Gone Fishing,
Blue Again,
Clouds,
Stompin' At Mahogany Hall,
Nothin' Could Be Hotter,
Good Enough To Keep,
Don't Let Go,
Twilight Zone,
My Foolish Heart.
JazzReview.com
