Customer Reviews

New York Voices

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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Although I like their other albums, in my eyes, this CD by the New York Voices goes several steps beyond. This is a group that is not afraid to take risks -- and on this album they stick their neck out big time. With intricate harmonies, rhythms and voicings, as well as individual parts that are written more like instruments in a jazz ensemble, this album is proof that if you put a lot of time and effort into something, the result can be astounding.

Many vocal groups falter when individual members put their own style and agenda ahead of the group's. A typical result is burying you with too much vibrato, or trying to showcase the vocal "tricks" possessed by each member (imitating instruments, making that fake growling sound, too much "do-wop", etc). This album is the antithesis of that philosophy. They are not afraid of dissonance, the raw sound of the human voice, or taking chances if the overall result has a greater impression on you, the listener. Turns out this was a good bet.

My only hope is that the NYV will put out another album like this one, without any theme to it. In my opinion, this is the style of writing and performing that sets them apart.

The New York Voices' first, self-titled CD, deserves to be in any jazz musician's (and certainly Vocal Jazz musician's) collection. Indeed, "New York Voices" has wonderful arrangements of jazz standards such as "Round Midnight" and "Caravan" as well as original pop songs with definite jazz roots such as "Dare the Moon," and "Now or Never." Also notable is the haunting, a capella "Come Home." The NYV combine their jazz chops (listen to "Caravan," and you'll hear mega-chops!) with their fantastically expressive and versatile voices, brilliant arrangements and sense of style, making their first-CD a must-have!

The debut recording by vocal jazz group New York Voices suffers from poor production and some synthetic sounds that partly cloud the quality of the music. Most of the time the three gals and two guys seem to be singing at the top of their (New York) voices but still sound tinny and too far back in the mix. Anyway, the music's great, the fantastic arrangements of standards (such as Caravan and the a bit overlong Round Midnight) as well as the intriguing original material (National Amnesia, Dare The Moon, Street Party). Hard to believe their later albums would get even better.

Though many of the tracks on this CD are reminiscent of the eighties, it is still a wonderful addition to any collection. Most of the tracks are remarkable, and a little less than half of them don't even contain any cheezy synthesizer. Caravan is absolutely incredible! It's possibly my new favorite vocal jazz song. I also loved Baroque Samba, Round Midnight, and the haunting, tight harmonies of Come Home. It's fascinating to watch the New York Voices progress from this eighties album to some of their newer songs. I love it.

This outstanding group has the freshest, most unique sound in jazz today. I can't get enough to these talented folks! I hope that they take their sound on a national tour soon.

We have the tape, haven't been able to locate the CD until now; gotta have the CD because the tape is worn out. Give 'Caravan' a listen to--definitely the strongest track vocally and musically. 'National Amnesia' was featured on a GRP Artist Sampler a few years back. It's a shame, because there is so much stronger vocal talent shown on 'Caravan' and 'Top Secret'. Great original a capella track in 'Come Home'--you'll have to buy it to hear it however!

This is, quite simply, possibly the most brilliant vocal jazz I've ever heard. The original lineup of the New York Voices is, in my mind, simply incomparable. It is a wonder to me that this group didn't achieve more commercial success, but the world's most amazing music is clearly almost always too interesting for the masses to comprehend. Another reviewer here calls this music from a "forgotten age". I suspect that in some future time this record will still be listened to in amazement while 99.9% of the garbage that passes for "pop" today will have been relegated to the "best forgotten" archives. Sadly, for the moment, the available remaining copies of this gem are disappearing. Get one while you still can.

I had been looking for a cd from New York Voices for a few years-it was one of those must get one but never getting round to it senarios.
After listining to an old drum and bugle corps show from the early 90's I remembered how much I liked the Voices stuff.
Having a look around the shops in the Bristol area proved to be no help as no one stocked any cd by the Voices-so back to Amazon and the site from the USA and finally I got my Voices cd-and after many plays I realised ho cool these guys and gals really were-some great classics done in a style that befits the generation that is feature in the cd and the generation the voices performed in.
Real classics such as Baroque Samba,Caravan and Now or Never help to really sell the cd-to those that have forgotton the times sit back and enjoy this

I didn't think this Album was that spectacular. Personally, I prefer the more classic Manhattan Transfer sound. If you like Kenny G and Yanni though, this may be more what you're looking for: synthesized backgrounds, and honestly somewhat cliche at times. Similar to my review of the other album because it's mostly the group, not the album in particular.