Customer Reviews

Mecca for Moderns

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

 

 

No, this isn't the best album Manhattan Transfer ever produced. If you're a hardcore fan, like I am, you'd want it even it it was only for some of the fluffier, pop-fusion stuff. However, missing out on the vocalese songs Corner Pocket and Confirmation, would be a crime, as would missing the acappela A Nightengale Sang in Berkley Square. Personally, I like the song Smile Again as well. Even if you buy the album only for these great songs, I bet you'll be humming some of the campier songs before you realize it. It's a shame that the song samples are composed only of these campy songs, however.

What a diverse album...Yes, it has the 'big commercial hit' (ie the remake of Boy From New York City), but the rest- Kafka is one of the best non-verbal recordings ever made! wow, and Spies in the Night simply delightful- this CD now feels a tad 'dated', but like good wine it is to be savored...

This album is so touching, yet so moving! I can't say enough how I love this album so much! It shows a different side of the Manhattan Transfer. And I do like how they try to bridge the gap from not just jazz, but modern pop from the early 80s.
This album definitely stands the test of time.

I can't help but be strongly biased in favour of this album as it was the first record album I ever owned. My parents gave me a cassette copy of this 10-track collection for Christmas 1982 - I was thirteen and didn't know anything much about popular music at the time. When your album collection consists of just the one recoed, it tends to stick in the mind, and these songs are now hard-wired into my long term memory. It's good that they're so enjoyable. I particularly like the sweet melody of A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square, and the very-enjoyable, lighthearted political name-calling of Wanted Dead Or Alive. On The Boulevard is classy MOR pop, while Smile Again is a smooth, romantic ballad. The vocal style of this superior quartet is best displayed on The Word Of Confirmation, while Kafka has no lyrics, but a plethora of high-quality scat singing. Spies In The Night taps into a similar spooky paranoia to the Twilight Zone song from their previous album, complete with a gunshot finale.

I'm on Amazon to seek out and buy the CD of this, as my venerable old cassette has finally deserted me, it seems!

I think this should get a 4-star rating , but it gets an extra star from me for being my first record!!

Recommended .

This CD is another shining example of just how good music can be! Manhattan Transfer is once again at the top of their game in terms of both performance and material. You will return to this CD again and again. These performances do not disappoint, and will move you as much as you will allow.

You either love the MT or you just don't understand where they're coming from-- & I guess this is clear from the ratings here. People in the second category just don't bother voting.

"Mecca for Moderns" is a showcase of their amazing breadth of style, from the popular hit "Boy From New York City", to the classic "A Nightingale Sang in Berkely Square" (the sweetest a capella version imaginable). This album was probably the first in which the MT truly showed what they can do with a variety of musical styles; a significant number of its tracks was reprised in their retrospect double CD "Down In Birdland", a collection of their finest work (not just their commercially-greatest hits).

Of all the tracks on "Mecca For Moderns", only one---"Wanted (Dead or Alive)---has dated. The others never will. My favourite? "Corner Pocket".

I had this one before in a tape, it took me long time to get it in a CD and finally got it! I love Manhattan Transfer a lot, their voices are unique and very harmonious, it is worthy to listen their music.

This is one of my most favorite Manhattan Transfer albums. Their harmony is amazing.

I've known about the Manhattan Transfer since I first heard them sing "Operator". I don't know of any other group that is this versatile. They can do it all from jazz, blues, pop, gimmick, you name it and they can sing it. If the Manhattan Transfer decided to sing the phone book, I'd probably buy it! "Boy From New York City" was one of the best covers of an older song. They made it their own!

At last I have finally been able to get this on CD. Features thier biggest selling single and earned them a well deserved grammy award. One of the best of the best. This deal was so good I bought a second copy to give to a friend. Thanks for making it all possible and the great service.
JDJ