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Rating: The Manhattan Transfer constitute a decidedly fascinating piece of music history, particularly when it comes to Jazz.
They are a vocal quartet composed of Tim Hauser, Alan Paul, Janis Siegel, and Lauren Massé. The group was formed in 1975, although Hauser had attempted another musical project, also titled Manhattan Transfer, which quickly sank after a 1971 studio album that, to be honest, wasn’t exactly fantastic. This self-titled album thus marks the debut of the group with the new formation and the result is excellent: an absolutely remarkable debut, truly pleasant to listen to and also to purchase, as it can be found at a reasonable price.
An outstanding album where a sublime blend of the four voices stands out; none seems to generally prevail over the others, and all complement each other with great class. The vocal arrangement consists of a lead voice while the others accompany and amplify the rhythm of the songs, providing a beautiful choral effect. The group also succeeds in working very well on the vocal arrangements while instrumentally, they rely on guitarist Ira Newbon. The music manages to serve as a perfect counterpoint to the voices, and seems to give an orchestral effect to the whole.
In some tracks, one can hear a lively and very sophisticated saxophone, left free to soar among the songs with very pleasant solos. One immediately realizes the quality of the album, right from the first track, "Tuxedo Junction," a great piece that also features the participation of the tenor sax, which also stands out in "You Can Depend On Me," another noteworthy song. It's worth noting that the saxophonist is not always the same in the songs where it can be heard. The standout songs are "Operator," chosen as the lead single, and "Java Jive," very famous as it was used for some commercials. Honorable mention goes to "Clap Your Hands," in this song, in addition to the "main" instruments, there is an almost orchestral accompaniment, with woodwinds and brass.
The last mention goes to "Occapella," an absolutely fantastic closing track, in my opinion, the best piece of the entire album. "The Manhattan Transfer" represents an outstanding example of jazz, a truly well-done album where it is difficult to find missteps or a song out of place. It doesn't seem like an album but a puzzle where all the pieces fit together perfectly for a great stylistic and artistic result.
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Tuxedo Junction (03:05)
Boop bop, Boop Bop
Boop bop, Boop Bop
Boop bop, Boop Bop
Boop bop, Boop Bop
Way down South, in Birmingham
I mean South, in Alabam'
There's a place
Where people go to dance the night away
It's a junction
Where the town folk meet
At each function in their best they'll greet you
Sax solo
Scat solo
Way down South, in Birmingham
I mean South, in Alabam'
That old place
Boop bop, Boop Bop
Boop bop, Boop Bop
Boop bop, Boop Bop
Boop bop, Boop Bop
Way down South, in Birmingham
I mean South, in Alabam'
'Ans old place
Where people go to dance the night away
They all drive or walk for miles
To get blues - that southern style,
So blue - it'll make you want to dance the night away
Tuxedo Junction - where I want to be
03 Operator (03:13)
Operator
Give me information
Information
Give me long distance
Long distance
Give me heaven...
(Two, three)
Operator
Information
Give me Jesus on the line
Operator
Information
I'd like to speak to a friend of mine
Oh prayer is the number
Faith is the exchange
Heaven is the street
And Jesus is his name
Operator
Information
Please give me Jesus on the line
Operator
Information
Won't you tell me why
Tell me why
Operator
Information
Don't try to tell me
What number to call
My mother used this number
When I was very small
And everytime she dialed it
She always got 't call the
Operator
Information
Please give me Jesus on the line
Operator
Information
Please hurry if you can
Oh Operator
Information
Please connect me
With the man
Don't worry 'bout the money
You know I will pay the charge
Just give me on the line
I'm callin' from my heart
Operator
Information
Please give me Jesus on the line
Please give me Jesus on the line
Won't you please -
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus on the line
Yeah!
04 Candy (03:30)
Candy
I call my sugar Candy
Because I'm sweet on Candy
and Candy's sweet on me
She understands me
My understanding Candy
And Candy's always handy
When I need sympathy
You wish that there were four of her
So I could love much more of her
She has taken your complete heart
Got a sweet tooth for my sweetheart
Candy
It's gonna be just dandy
The day I take my Candy
And make her mine, all mine
Candy
I call my sugar Candy
Because I'm sweet, so sweet on Candy
And Candy's sweet on me
You wish that there were four of him
Oh how I could love much more of him
He has taken your complete heart
You got a sweet tooth for your sweetheart
Candy
It's gonna be just dandy
The day I take my candy
Gee how the sun will shine
On the day my Candy
On the day my Candy
On the day my Candy's mine
05 Gloria (03:00)
Gloria
Gloria
It's not Marie
Gloria
It's not Cherie
Gloria (Gloria)
But she's not in love with me
Can't you see
It's not Marie
Gloria
It's not Cherie
Gloria (Gloria)
But she's not in love with me
And maybe (maybe)
She'll want me (want me)
But who am I to know (who am I to know)
And maybe (ooh, maybe)
She'll want me (ooh, want me)
But who am I to know (who am I to know)
Oh---
Gloria (Gloria)
It's not Marie
Gloria (Gloria)
It's not Cherie
Gloria (Gloria)
'Cause she's not in love with me
Gloria!
07 That Cat Is High (02:54)
Spoken: Folks I'm mellow as a honeydew! (Oh yeah, yeah)
That cat is high
Look at that look in his eye
On man he's high
The cats higher than a kite
When you see him stumblin'
Up and down the street
You know that cat's been drinkin'
Got no shoes upon his feet
Man he's high
I said that cat is high
Yes he's high
Man he's higher than a kite
That cat is high
Look at that look in his eye
You know I wouldn't lie
That cat is higher than a kite
Boys he's high
Oh look at them two black eyes
Oh me oh my
That cat is higher than the sky
When you see him tippin'
Round and round the block
Oh you know that cat he's very beat
Hip clean down to his socks
That cat is high
Look at that look in his eye
Oh me oh my
That cat is higher than the sky
Yeah!
Instrumental
Scat section...ends with "Shoot some liquor to me John Boy!"
When you see him stumblin'
Up and down the street
You know that cat's been drinkin'
Got no shoes upon his feet
Man he's high
Yes he's high
My oh my
The cat's higher than a kite
He's high (That cat is high)
So high (That cat is high)
My my (Oh man he's high)
He's high (He's high)
He's high (That cat is high)
So high (That cat is high)
My my (Oh man he's high)
Spoken:
I want the home cookin' mama w/ the fryin' pan!
Well I know that cat is high!
Hee hee -- yeah!
That's right!
10 Java Jive (02:47)
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the Java Jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup (Ah!)
I love java, sweet and hot
Whoops, Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot
Shoot me the pot, and I'll pour me a shot
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup
Oh, slip me a slug from that wonderful mug
And I'll cut a rug, 'till I'm snug in a jug
A slice of onion and-a draw one
Draw one -
(Waiter, waiter, percolator)
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the Java Jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup (Ah!)
Boston bean (soy beans)
I said, them little itty bitty green beans (cabbage and greens)
I'm not keen about a bean
Unless it is a chilly chili bean (Talk it boy!)
I love java, sweet and hot
Whoops, Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot (yeah)
Shoot me the pot and I'll pour me a shot
A cup, a cup, a cup (yeah)
Slip me a slug of that wonderful mug
And I'll cut a rug that's snug in a jug
Drop your nickel in my pot, Joe
Takin' it slow
Waiter, waiter, percolator
I love coffee, I love tea
I love the Java Jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, boy!
12 Heart's Desire (02:35)
You're my heart's desire, You're my hearts desire--
You are
My heart's desire (hearts desire)
You set my soul on fire (soul on fire)
When your lips are close to mine
You'll find --
That you're my hearts desire (you're my hearts desire, you're my hearts desire)
Oh--
No other love could be (love could be)
As sweet as yours to me (yours to me)
Oh my darling, oh can't you plainly see
That you're my hearts desire
No other dream could replace
That lonely and cold empty space
And fill my heart with a love
For it's you I'm dreaming of...
There's one thing I know (baby I know)
I know that wherever, wherever, wherever you may go (you may go)
Oh honey I'll forever keep on loving and wanting you so
'Cause you're my hearts desire
You are my heart's desire
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