Customer Reviews

Chick Corea Songbook

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

Some pundits are saying that this, "The Chick Corea Songbook," is the Manhattan Transfer's best album ever. Considering who the M.T. is, that's quite a claim. Is the claim valid? My 3 cents worth:

In terms of production, absolutely. It is not only the best in that respect, it is one of the best vocal jazz ensemble recordings ever. Executive producer Yusuf Gandhi deserves all the credit he can muster for this; and main instrumentalist, keyboardist Yaron Gershovsky, is eerily on the money in terms of channelling the sounds of Chick Corea.

However, that's not to say the album is overproduced, by any means. The recording starts and ends with the lush "Free Samba," and the Corea signature song, "Spain," goes from majestic Espanol to funk, all on a dime. But any production of the music of Chick Corea must acknowledge the composer's playfulness, his sense of fun. And this one certainly does. "La Chanson du Bebe" is utterly charming, and "Another Roadside Attraction ("Space Circus") is fascinating.

The Transfer itself has never sounded better. The a capella intro to "500 Miles High" is even more impressive for its harmonic complexities than "A Nighingale Sang in Berkeley Square"; vocal jazz ensembles of America, take note! Alan Paul sounds exquisite on "Time's Lie"; ditto to Janis Siegel and the c.d.'s most memorable tune, "The Story of Anna & Armando" ("Armando's Rhumba.")

But best ever? This c.d. leaves me feeling on the outside, with utter awe and admiration. "Vocalese," on the other hand, left me feeling on the inside, wanting to dance and sing with "vocal jazz' fab four." That one is still my favorite; and even "Swing," I think, is more enjoyable.

Nevertheless, this is a fabulous album and deserves to be remembered as such. Jazz Times recently rated this one in its top 50 albums of 2009 (#47). High praise for a vocal ensemble c.d.; but I can certainly see why. RC

It's been a long time since The Manhattan Transfer has put their vocalese chops to work. Their most recent album Vibrate was ok, but lacked the spark of their earlier works. With this new album they've gone back to what separated them from all of the rest of the vocal jazz groups out there. Trademark close harmonies and vocalese that is unparalleled are the hallmarks of The Manhattan Transfer, and this album is no exception. Free Samba and Times Lie are excellent examples of this.

My only criticism of the album is one of the same issues I had with the Vibrate album. Everything seems to be 10-20 Beats Per Minute too slow. Their rendition of Spain* (I Can Remember) is a good example. It's a song that has all the makings of greatness, wrecked by a plodding beat. Even the patter sections of a song like Ragtime In Pixiland seem to be weighted down.

All in all, after 40 years The Manhattan Transfer is still able to make great music.

[...]

this new Man Tran album is inspired, energized and soulful! Without a doubt, The Chick Corea Songbook is a landmark/milestone album in the already glorious 40 year career of the planet's greatest vocal group! After all these years, they have still managed to outdo and outshine themselves!!! Bravo Tim Janis Alan and Cheryl! Soar higher!!

Absolutely amazing! Great compositions by Chick Corea arranged and sung by Manhattan XFR. The vocal execution is fabulous. It's a level of achievement to which mere mortals can only aspire.

Ok, if this album were in vinyl-with-sylus-needle form, I'd have nothing more than shreds of black coiled plastic on a revolving platter. I've been playing the MP3s downloaded from Amazon for 5 weeks now non-stop (thankfully, you can't wear out digital files!).

I've been a CC fan since the '70s and became SMITTEN with MT through their track Toyland (An Acapella Christmas) after becoming desperate for Christmas music that had, you know... "teeth" (although not necessarily spiritual, it sublime, nonetheless!). The layers, playfulness and magic lift my spirits every time. That anyone could have such vision for musical arrangement and performance deeply moves me. Toyland whetted my appetite for more! The search was on! Well, this album has reminded me why... just why I loved music so much in earlier decades of my life! The depressing, frustrating and confounding musical drought we're in the midst of can cause one to become downcast; to believe love of beauty in the form of brilliant composition is finite and, sadly, anachronistic. Songbook is catalog material, but it demonstrates, once again, how intrinsically gorgeous music can have new life in the hands of great arrangers and, in my humble opinion, transcend the original! MT's vocals ILLUMINATE Corea's inherently amazing harmonic/rhythmic structures. Add to that his extremely fun rhythm and you get a feast for the ears. Seriously, this album has rejuvenated my passion for life in ways.

I love it that CC plays keys on this album--wouldn't be the same without him!!! He does a great job, too! I love it that MT courageously experiments with their voices with unusual timbres. How liberating this project must've been. They truly throw themselves into this--accurately reflecting CC's boldly playful, explorative nature! Whatta powerful team-up!!! I have several MT albums, but this is clearly my fav because each number knocks it out of the park.

Are you this way: do you listen to music and "record" it in your head to be replayed from memory without the aid of electronic playback in its full glory? Awake and even during sleep? If so, this album will provide hours of excellence in brand new fodder, and that beauty has personally given me 24/7 pleasure. It has instantly been added to my top collection of music; a treasure chest of beloved sonic beauty. It quenches my musical thirst; becoming a permanent addition to my life-soundtrack.

Sadly, we are indeed in a musical drought, and it doesn't appear anything will change this for some time. But, there are rare oases. Trust me, Songbook IS one rare oasis. Give it several listenings. Record it in your head. It will make the permanent repertoire for many of you who have the gift of "hearing" rich music.

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.

This is one of the most complete albums I have purchased, vocal artistry, imaginative & exemplary musicianship & production of the highest calibre,dosen't get much better than this.

Chick Corea's music has never called to me, but I'm a huge admirer and fan of The Manhattan Transfer so I bought the album. While I'll listen to the CD again I suppose, this is the first Manhattan Transfer album that doesn't enthuse me.