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The Manhattan Transfer- Birdland (First Listen)
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- Опубликовано: 15 авг 2020
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Song Link: • Birdland
I'm a sucker for the vocal work by the Manhattan Transfer. To hear them live is a revelation.
I have always preferred the Manhattan Transfer version. Four brilliant amazing vocalists! This song literally blew me away when it came out! They won a Grammy and deservedly so
At a tiny waterfront nightclub in San Francisco circa 1980, I sat about 20 feet from the stage as The Manhattan Transfer emerged.
They kicked off the show with this number and to say that the audience was caught off guard and blown away is an understatement.
Since I can't erase such an incredible memory from my brain (nor would I want to) forgive me if I say I have difficulty with your opinion. Not the part where you prefer another version. That is fine. But to not like this at all?
Oh well...to each their own.
At least you gave it a shot.
R.I.P. Tim Hauser!
I prefer Manhattan Transfer version...It is VERY HARD making your voice sound like an Instrument...wow...I LOVE them!!!!
ruclips.net/video/dpDZtKR1BMk/видео.html "Beautiful Mornin'" by The Rascals. Group started in 1967. This song reached to No.3 on the Billboard Chart in 1968. Check it out!!! Performing Live.
@@anthonyblakely399 The magical part of "Beautiful Morning" original recording is the combination of the horn and electric guitar in the chorus - awe-inspiring!
@@bobholtzmann I agree...and you know ..we, including me, don't give much love to The Rascals or The Young Rascals or The Who....these bands were ground-breaking performances and songs and musicianship were Excellent!!!
ruclips.net/video/PVjiKRfKpPI/видео.html "Take Me To Church" by Hozier
The magic in this song is it is vocalese. That means they apply words to a song that never had words. That is the uniqueness of MT. Imagine trying to interpret a jazz tune that never had words and tell a story with those words.
Exactly! And probably the best reason NOT to compare this to the original. Thanks for your comment.
I prefer the original but this is such a glorious, loving interpretation. Such fun.
Love the Manhattan Transfer. One of the first concerts I ever went to because my mom was friends with them. I got a tour of the sound booth and hung out back stage. I was probably 6, but I really enjoyed it!
I like both versions. They did consult with Joe Zavinul when they made the arrangement, and that he approved was shown by the fact that during a WR performance at the Newport Jazz festival, he invited them up on stage to do their version.
And it was AMAZING!
This is not a cover in the usual sense but a vocalese where words are used to imitate jazz solos. Quite different from broadway musicals and it is an acquired taste i guess...
I love Manhattan Transfer and why not listen to them both live on stage together! Now one of my fav’s is Soul Food To Go by Manhattan Transfer. Saw them years ago how electrifying.
I prefer Weather Report's version but I do love Manhatten Transfer. Saw them in concert and they were just incredible. I don't know how much you like jazz but their album Vocalese is just amazing. Quoting from Wikipedia "The album's title Vocalese refers to a style of music that sets lyrics to previously recorded jazz instrumental pieces. The vocals then reproduce the sound and feel of the original instrumentation. Jon Hendricks, proficient in this art, composed all of the lyrics for this album."
Ty Robert! I love jazz, just not a fan of this one
Enjoyed this, Killer joe is my fave Manhattan Transfer song. FWIW
"Java Jive", a cover of the 1940 Ink Spots hit, is also one of their big songs.
I prefer this version ... it's not often I prefer a cover but I think they did a great job !!
I am the only person i have ever known (until now) that is aware of this album and it's one of my all time favorites. The production is superb for 1979, the vocals, musicianship, the exuberance and sheer fun of this album is unbeatable. I get what you're saying about the vocal style, I'm not a fan of musicals either but I love the lead singer's tone and the music is done so well that it wins me over. I prefer this to the original but I heard this version first, I couldn't guess which version you would like best but I was a little suprised you didn't like this one at all. The great thing about you is that when you don't like something you're very good at explaining why so even if I don't agree I enjoy hearing your opinion.
Appreciate that Psyman.
I love this version best. Its just superb like the whole album
There is a live version, I belive at the Hollywood Bowl, where TMT was accompanied by Weather Report. Check it out. It is classic.
Vocalese is a jazz sub-genre that was invented by Eddie Jefferson, who had a hit with his rendition of the Coleman Hawkins solo for 'Body and Soul'. Vocalese was first popularized as a genre by the great jazz group Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. It was Jon Lambert who wrote the lyrics that the Transfer are singing here. The Transfer, in addition to an early vocalese version of the swing jazz sax section classic Four Brothers on their eponymous album, have a later album entitled Vocalese that features many such arrangements. The Pointer Sisters did a fantastic vocalese arrangement of the jazz classic 'Little Pony' on one of their early albums. While not to the taste of all the jazz purists, vocalese is an enduring tradition in jazz that requires much talent and skill. Great reaction, JP!
I would like to mention that this version of the song did win Manhattan Transfer a Grammy Award in 1981 for Best Jazz Fusion Performance. I know music is subjective and all but I'm just gonna stick up for MT's version here. Their vocal blend is incredible. You're entitled to your opinion of course but I think you missed the mark this time out. Different strokes for different folks. I'll continue to watch you for your well-reasoned reactions. Thanks for the video.
I don’t remember exactly what possessed me to buy this album when I was in college, I think it must have been the track”Twilight Tone” because they would play it on a local radio station. Well, I fell in love with it and became a big fan. They’ve got some great stuff, absolutely impeccable vocals.
That young male singer in the group does a great imitation of Rod Serling!
Excellent. Try Maynard Ferguson's version of Birdland. Enjoy and thank you.
The lyrics were written by Jon Hendricks. JH was a pioneer of the vocal jazz genre and a member of the legendary “Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross”. The album “Hottest New Group in Jazz” (1960) by LH&R is required listening for jazz enthusiasts.
You don't know Charlie Parker was Bird. The club was named after him. One of the two greatest sax players of all time along with John Coltrane
They also performed this with Weather Report at the Hollywood Bowl.
you are in over your head kid. This is a brilliant version. And Birdland was a club named after Bird -Charlie Parker . One of the creators of bop - not swing.
Just found this channel. This is my favorite song of all time. It always makes me happy.
Ty!
Excellent cover with a real jazz vibe under the whole thing. Precise and swingin' yet fun. Got the vibe and took it somewhere else.
They were a throwback to big band jazz singing. So were The Pointer Sisters at the time. Slick, high energy vocal instrumentalists, they carved a little niche and ran with it. (Of course I had their albums, too. I respond to vocals, and the rhythm sections of bands.) That Cat is High, Tuxedo Junction, Java Jive are some really good tunes. They had their own show for like, a summer. We tuned in. Music is infinite in it's variety. Sweeney Todd! I'm floored! Doesn't it just grip you and not let you go? I have actually played Mrs. Lovett in a really wonderful production of S.T. Ah, Sondheim....!
Oh I adore Sweeney Todd! Wonderful story, fantastic music
Is there a bad version of Birdland? Haven’t heard it if it exists. I have to say, the lyrics really paint a picture of what Birdland was all about. Really nice!
I love both but my favorite is Manhattan Transfer. I just found your channel and I love your honesty.
Thank you so much Randy
Saw the Transfer several times at big jazz festivals. They were never my cup of tea but, vocally no other band can do what they do. Their harmonies and timing were impeccable.
Now that you've heard both Weather Report and Manhattan Transfer versions of Birdland, I highly recommend Quincy Jones' rendition from his Back on the Block Album. The whole album is an all-star cast of legendary singers and musicians that only Quincy Jones can assemble, and his arrangement of Birdland is exquisite!
My mom was a huge TMT fan back in the 80s. I remember her having several albums on vinyl. So this version was my first version, and I think therefore it trumps the original. Although that one is certainly no slouch.
I'm not a jazz guy. The singing version was easier to listen to.
My guess for you is Weather Report.
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The Manhattan transfer is the best version to me.
I don’t mind telling you that I am 6 weeks shy of my 64th bd. In my younger days I probably had about a half dozen MT albums as I was heavily into the jazz phase of my own musical journey. They had a few popular songs on the radio, Twilight Zone being one of them. This version of Birdland garnered them two Grammy awards and they have at least a dozen over their career. I agree the original is far superior, but MT was so talented that they could sing anything. Two men and two women. Their voices were just magical. Not everyone’s taste I admit, but they were “the bomb” in the 1980’s. They made some of the most beautiful A cappella music you will ever hear. Check out A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, a 1981 Grammy award winner. Thank you for bringing back the memories.
Thank you Barry!
You'd love their "Vocalese" Album, which is full of that specific style and do a lot of scatting and vocal gymnastics. They do many styles, Latin, New Orleans Jazz, Scat, Pop, They have been around 50 years.
The Transfer won a Grammy in '79 for their arrangement of "Birdland," which had added lyrics by Jon Hendricks, whom the guys'n'gals in Transfer were huge fans of, from his days in the influential vocal trio, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross (1957-1964). In fact, so influential, Al Jarreau called Hendricks "pound-for-pound the best jazz singer on the planet-maybe that's ever been."
Perhaps, in somewhat of a logical full circle, Justin, you might enjoy a spin of an LH&R song. Consider "Jumpin' at the Woodside" from their 1958 LP, "Sing Along with Basie," featuring legendary jazz/blues singer, Joe Williams (Roulette Records), with the Count Basie Orchestra, or "Cloudburst," from their 1960 self-titled Columbia album (the Pointer Sisters covered "Cloudburst" in 1973...a comparison listen to both?), or from the same album, Duke Ellington's "Caravan."
Excellent!!! Excellent!!!! I am so good you are listening to The Manhatten Transfer..great Jazz!!!
Somewhere on YT is a video of Weather Report and Manhattan Transfer performing it together live.
Thanks so much for tidying up for us. It is appreciated.
I could tell from your face that straight away it was Weather Report. I remember this group from the '80's and had fond memories of this track as well as many other of their tracks. As soon as the song started I mentally took a step back as I didn't remember the vocals being that shrill. It wasn't until about halfway through that it began to be ok again. One of those songs that was a time and place I guess.
Good morning Justin and fellow followers. I'm watching this Monday morning in the Pacific Northwet. Why? For some reason, Passage to Bangkok was my last RUclips notification, even though Justin liked and commented on some of my comments on the Sad Young Man by Strawbs video, and I'm subscribed to other channels as well. I double checked, and my subscriptions are still clicked and notification bell colored. I'll need to see if not being notified of new videos and comments continue...
That said, I'm glad I caught this video, as I'm pretty sure I'm one who suggested you listen to this version. I heard this when it came out; I was 19 and just beginning school as a vocal music education major. That probably tells you right there which version I prefer.
I'm guessing if I heard the Weather Report version first, and I didn't get mesmerized by the vocal virtuosity of this version, I might lean more towards Weather Report for listenability. But, my personal taste shies away from instrumental jazz fusion or big band. I love lush orchestral pieces, instrumental folk, and instrumental prog. But instrumental jazz fusion and big band tend to give me a headache.
Personal taste is one of the things which makes the world go around, nu?
Looking forward to your next upload, which I see now that I'm in the app proper is already available.
Keep on keeping on, y'all!
A lot of people who like music, and even jazz, don’t like vocal jazz. I’ll presume this is the first and last Manhattan Transfer you’ll feature on the channel.
I listened to and sang vocal jazz as a late teen, and life is too short to bother trying to convert anyone to it..in the same way it’s a tough sell for anyone trying to bring me around to punk. Prog, funk and a lot more occupy a big middle ground, so back to that 😉.
They actually performed this on stage with Weather Report.
I'll admit the Manhattan Transfer functions as a mix of Broadway and the Modernaires pop jazz vocal group, which is fine for me, because I know where they came from. I guess the purpose of the group was to bring the Modernaires style to modern ears in the 80s, when 40s nostalgia was more common. And to be honest, I think the Modernaires are somewhat cheesy pop music, as was much of the Glenn Miller Band's music they sang on. But MT's "Birdland" is a nice arrangement of a cover, and I guess when it was new, I thought it was a nice pop alternative to Madonna and Michael Jackson.
Birdland is a lovely masterpeice, I prefer either one.
Okay I absolutely love Manhattan Transfer since way back, particularly when they're doing big band swing, but of course, the original Birdland by Weather Report is a classic that's hard to improve upon. The vocals are so hard to do, though, and I hope that people understand this when judging a vocal version of an instrumental song.
On that note, for a truly surprising vocal performance where it's least expected, PLEASE listen to and review "Cloudburst" by none other than Barry Manilow. To my knowledge, it's never been reviewed/reacted to. Thanks!
Weather report, then the Sarah Vaughn version
Transfer is great, but prefer the original. Buddy Rich and Maynard Ferguson both had respectable covers as well. Thanks for listening!
You should checkout Manhattan Transfer’s “Twilight Zone”. It’s a fun listen 😊
BOTH!
Truly , I did not expect you to like this , certainly not prefer it over Weather Report .
If I had no frame of reference on this and only heard the MT version , the vocals would still be a little annoying to me as well but the tune overall would be 'ok' - MT has a ton of talent and a lot of cool music but this is a track that IMO should remain an instrumental .
Chuck Mangione had a huge international instrumental hit in 1977 - Feels' So Good ( album of the same name ) . Btw - you should definitely check it out . Hard to imagine I could like anyone redoing it while inserting lyrics - like Birdland , it's a gem of a track and should be honored by leaving it as an instrumental , no matter how talented/ well intentioned the artist is who tries to 'spice it up ' as they're more likely to simply spoil it .
Weather Report of course!! Manhattan Transfer dose a respectable job. If you still like jazz fusion, Jeff Beck's "Weird" album!! Start off with just "Lead Boots" and see how you feel??
I'm a really big Weather Report fan, and I prefer the original but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate this "cover". It's a totally different take, they want it to be more happy, upbeat and fun, and they pull it off nicely.
When this version first came out I loved it. I’ve not heard it since 1980. Hearing it now I have to agree with you. Tastes change.
Always preferred Manhattan Transfer. I think you like Weather Report.
Yet a great group, MT don't really get the emotional expression of the original. They do get high marks for the precision, but it's still a 'commercial' version of a fantastic composition. So I agree with you Justin!
Ok, I'm pausing the video at 8:04. I like both versions, but I prefer the original, but this is a fun version and I enjoyed the way they sang it. Had it been the original, and not the cover, it's possible I'd prefer the vocals, but because I'm used to the original, I kind of prefer it a little more.
I'm guessing that's going to be kind of your take. Ok, listening to the rest now : )
I totally understand the point you're making here and why you don't care for this version. I can kind of see it, but I still enjoy it, even though, yes, it could be seen as a little "forced" perhaps? Your honest assessment and great analysis of the music is why I subscribe.
Now I have TWO requests for you, hah hah. Both just now popped into my head because of this song.
The first is one I'm guessing you've heard. It's called Goodbye Pork Pie Hat by Charles Mingus from 1959. Regardless of whether or not you've heard it, there are 2 covers that I think you'd also enjoy. One is by Jeff Beck (I "think" you'd love his album 'Blow by Blow'), but this one is on his album 'Wired', which is also a great album. The other is by Joni Mitchell, who just like this version, added lyrics. It's on her album 'Mingus' which was dedicated to him; hence the title.
Ok, now for an even more obscure request that's even older than Mingus : )
Red Top by King Pleasure from 1952 (No, not King Crimson, lol) :-P
King Pleasure had a most unique style of singing. He "sang the solo" of the music. He sang it the way the Saxophone played it. That's the way I understand it. My father would play his music for me and I loved it. There are 78 records of his music.
How's that for an "obscure request" : ) If you and your wife danced while Red Top played, that would be perfect. Sorry, couldn't resist : )
Ty LM! I've heard that one by Mingus, not sure of the others
@@JustJP I had a feeling you heard the original. Well I know you know how special Joni Mitchell is, and I thought it would interest you, since she added lyrics, just like they did here.
I originally preferred the Manhattan Transfer version (was the 1st version I heard) I eventually much preferred the Live version from the album 8:30 by Weather Report.
I agree. Very schmaltzy presentation.
If your going to listen to swing, I think you should listen to "Sing Sing Sing" by Benny Goodman the greatest swing song ever.
This is one of my favorites. My father turned me on to Swing music when I was young and I have loved it ever since.
Good choice of track to review. 😊
I like the Weather Report track so much that l have to like the Manhattan Transfer too. The vocals are excellent. But l have several Weather Report albums, and zero M.T.
Annoying is the word I was looking for. As usual we agree...
Yeah, definitely the original ... geez, W.R.'s line up at that time was stratospheric. I love The Manhattan Transfer (check out their version of an even older Claude Thornehill classic, 'Snowfall' ruclips.net/video/5TsVsrlDErw/видео.html), but would have loved 'em better if they would have tried covering 'Havona' or 'Teen Town' from that album, or Stanley Clarke's 'Vulcan Worlds'. 🤣
I heard they did a cover of Close to the Edge.
Love your channel. I like(love?) both versions, for different reasons. WR original for the genius writing of it. WR is/was a monster of the jazz-fusion genre. MT version for creativity and energy in its "translation" into vocalese.
Everyone not already aware should check out the MT album "BRASIL". Maybe their most ambitious work. "Underground" is a standout. It's all fantastic.
Thanks Ken!
Didn't see a link to the first version so I can't compare. What I will say is that this sounds like the album version, as the track that used to be played on the radio was shorter, shorn of the talking and weird bits. I quite liked Man. Trans, but I only ever caught their singles never heard a album.
OK. Paused at 8 min and 4 seconds: I prefer the Weather Report version, but I do like what Manhattan Transfer did; creating lyrics to fit into the original work. I liked/like both groups, but I only ever paid money to see Weather Report. I will make a guess (hope?) that you prefer the Weather Report version. Now, back our regularly scheduled video, currently in progress.
You're correct on this one!
Hey Justin My Man!! This music I feel is an aquired taste! It was so huge when it came it that it won the Grammy!! Just a fun song if you like that kinda stuff! One of those shows where I might go see with friends who.like that. May I be so bold as to request one of my favorite covers of all time?? I actually got to see her perform this in AZ a few years ago!!! The Song is: RUBY TUESDAY. Original by:The Rolling Stones - cover by: MELANIE!! I think the cover is better!! Please take the MELANIE challange for me!!! Very curious of the response by everyone!! By the way I'm going home tomorrow from.the hospital!! WOOPIE! After 2 weeks!! By for now! Your #1AZ FAN MICHAEL🙀😸😊😊
Refuah shelema, Michael. May you continue to recover and heal.
There is no need to prefer one over the other.
Nope, I said you should listen to the different song by the same name by Patti Smith. It's a trip. Here's a link to it:
ruclips.net/video/ABUuggupMEo/видео.html
The Manhattan Transfer version might be nice as a change of pace, but for personal favorite I’ve got to go with Weather Report. For a big band version I suggest listening to Maynard Ferguson’s cover.
I'll take Manhattan Transfer's version. Even with the added lyrics it just groves more. Of course the original by Weather Report is incredible for being just that. At that time they were, in my mind, a super group. But, Manhattan Transfer makes the song far more approachable and fun. That being said, you MUST listen to Maynard Ferguson's version of Birdland, Jazz fusion at a level 11.
Weather Report. Hands down. I think this version is waaaay over produced. I probably would like a live version of this better but still, go with WR. I feel it lost most of the funkiness. Vocals in parts were a little too affected for me, made me slightly uncomfortable. I know they have a lot of fans so I mean no disrespect, it’s just preference. Glad I got to hear it, just didn’t care for it as much as WR’s but I like hearing covers.
You’re wearing me out with all these videos :) my fingees are tired.
Thx Nat for helping Justin born in Manhattan with the studio closet!
Take care everyone, masks are necessary but don’t let it ruin a beautiful day,
Peace and Music for Closets (Eno, are you listening?)
Paul-Martin Scheib
I always give thumbs up whether I like the song or not but, I can see your point. Hmm, maybe this system needs changing... not likely to happen though. We should be able to support the channel and like or not like the specific video. I guess comments are for yea or nay... and the thumbs are for support. It’s hard. I think you’re right. If it was a white supremacy video the call would be to thumbs down and a angry comment.
Uberpeace
Thank you both; the goal would be thumbs up if you want to support the channel, as it tells RUclips "let's recommend this video to more people since others enjoy it". If you don't like the song, disagree, etc., the comments are the place for that since it provides discussion 😊
JustJP
You stay out of this. ;) jkjp
Try their "This Independence", I'm particularly fond of the lady singer's imitation of synthesiser bleeps. Great lyrics, too.
ruclips.net/video/NCwzCQcjC0M/видео.html "You Keep Me Hangin' on" by Vanilla Fudge. Another group I think you will like...I forgot about them!!!!
Listen to "The Boy From New York City". On the "Vocalese" Album.
Good to see you say that you dislike something. I've never been a fan of Jazz or its derivatives.
Justin, I don't agree. This was the first time I heard the Manhattan transfer version. I like the original a lot. I even heard it live with Weather Report i Stockholn sometimes in the early 1980s. The concert was god, but as I remember it very close to the record. There were no extras like you expect from a rock concert. They just left the stage. Slightly static. What I liked with this version was that it was more organic. I like all kind of (good) music. If on Broadway its OK.
Then something completely different: 7990! Close to Thick as a brick😊
The Manhattan Transfer's version is my favorite one - before that one by Quincy Jones ( ruclips.net/video/Cqv5mhZIt2A/видео.html ) and on third and last position the original one.
Good effort, but I've never listened to Weather Report and thought ''I miss vocals''. I hear this and think ''I miss Jaco''.
I heard this version as a 12 year old and hated it. I discovered Weather Report about a year later and it was so soooooooo much better.
I enjoy the original version by Weather Report, just as much as I enjoy the cover by The Manhattan Transfer! The cover version totally paints a picture and tells the story of that famous & historic jazz club! And it just puts you in that frame of mind, something that the original does not in my opinion although it still groves! I personally don't find the cover version, at all as a Broadway show tune like you do! Too bad for you, that you didn't enjoy it JustJP!!! 😕
Check A Foreign Affair and Twilight Tone/Zone
I agree with JP!
Agree 100% Justin, The Manhattan Transfer are very professional but not challenging.
So would that be a "crap-having transfer"!Nice to know your a" Met" by birth!Hard to choose but I've seen Weather Report 6x,s so? You and yours have a "Tom Terrific" week!Peace.
Ty James!
I remember Tom Terrific... everyone tilts their head when I mention him.
This is not a “cover”: it’s a Vocalese on the original recording. As such, it is supposed to hew closely to the original. Vocalese involves writing syllable-for-syllable lyrics to a piece of instrumental jazz, even on the solos. The great Jon Hendricks of Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross did the lyrics on this one, as he did for their entire “Vocalese” album (released about 6 years after this album). Maybe learn something about the vocal genre you’re listening to before you bash.
I've always sorta liked MT .... even saw them live once ... BUT the album BRAZIL to me is one of the best albums ever ... " so you say " all of it
weather report version for me
Have to go with Weather Report. I love Manhattan Transfer but for Birdland its gotta be Jaco and Co...
I knew this version first, then I discovered the Weather Report original. I like both, but I totally agree that in some parts, the vocals on the MT version are SUPER annoying and cringey. That break in the middle where the guy is scatting and laughing...I can't stand it. And the fadeout, where the girl is vamping, singing "pretty good, very good"....HATE IT!!!
Those parts don't totally destroy the song for me, but they make it kind of hard to fully enjoy. I do like the lyrics and how they paint a picture of Birdland, and the harmonies are impeccable. But the MT were always very slick and polished, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't.
The original. One million percent. I love Manhattan Transfer, but these lyrics are insipid and the only good thing about the remake is that it sounds sort of like the original.
This one doesn't do much for me. Some seem to like the human voice above other instruments, I guess I'm the opposite. Maybe I've heard the original too many times.... I'm thinking you'll like the WR version best.
Interesting choice
Although I love Manhattan Transfer's version, I'll always prefer the original by Weather Report. I'm surprised that in your praise of the singing, you didn't mention how creative they were in even writing lyrics to match the tune. BTW, if you search for "Birdland" in the iTunes store, you'll see there are hundreds of covers, in many genres, including bluegrass.
Glee on steroids... ;-]
Lol!
Original ty
A lot of how you hear this depends on your mood. If you are not into it, the piece can sound overproduced, the vocals too brassy, the lyrics too simple minded. A nasty version of Hollywood glitz and Broadway crowd pleasing showmanship. Virtuosity for the sake of virtuosity, and not something to be re-visited.
If you happen to be super-energized, the musicianship is excellent - the rhythmns of the vocals match all sorts of complicated jazz improvisations. I believe they nailed the intricate interweaving of vocal paths.
I was slightly surprised at your selection. The Weather Report version sounded a bit muddy, I could barely hear the melodic lines at all.
I am not a fan particularly of fusion - though I once wanted to be. It was the next step after prog rock. The production for this one was polished to a blinding gleam. But you can only stare at it for so long. The gaity starts to sound forced after the fourth repeat.
Manhatten Transfer made their mark, and are brilliant -- I bought this album when it came out, but always found myself turning back to their first album. I was working at a night club/resort in the Poconos when their first one came out, and I could relate to the sound. After my life got a bit grungier, I could not really find a place much for them in my apartment.
Hats off to you for your honest reaction, and keep on discovering what moves you the most.
You hit the nail on the head with this review. I always had a love/hate relationship with Manhattan Transfer, more of the latter. I liked when they ventured over to more RnB territory with their album “Bodies and Souls”. With that said though their overdone vocal arrangements/style always grated on my ears. Broadway meets Doo Wop meets Barbershop Quartet.
I prefer Weather Report. I think you do too.
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