I absolutely adore THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER!

[NightTrain]

They are one of the two or three greatest vocal groups ever! Their tight, intricate harmonies are never less than breathtaking. If I could make my tongue do what they make theirs do, I'd never be alone on a Saturday night! :evilgrin:

What I particularly love about the Manhattan Transfer is that their influences go beyond jazz. Group member Tim Hauser got his start in the late 1950s singing with a doo-wop group called the Criterions. The MT's sound has Hauser's love of street-corner harmony written all over it, particularly when they cover such doo-wop chestnuts as the Harptones' "That's The Way It Goes," the Avalons' "Heart's Desire," the Video's "Trickle, Trickle," and the Capris' "Morse Code of Love (Baby, Come Back To Me)."

My favorite Manhattan Transfer album is 1984's BOP DOO-WOP, which is 50% jazz vocals and 50% doo-wop harmony. It's pure heaven, y'all! :loveya:

[Proud2BAmurkin]

1. They're all left handed

Bet ya didn't know that

[NightTrain]

3. Are you serious?

Or just pulling my chain? :shrug:

[progmom]

10. The four original members were.

Cheryl Bentyne, who joined the group in 1979 (replacing Laurel Masse) is right-handed.



Me with Janis Siegel from Manhattan Transfer. She sang at my wedding!

[Proud2BAmurkin]

24. Why you

!

[progmom]

27. Why me?

:shrug:

[Kire]

30. the second one from the left is holding the microphone wrong then

[BlueJazz]

2. NightTrain..You have absolutely impeccable taste.

I've got every album they've made and love them.

PS..Remember that hit from the 60's "Boy from New York City" ?

That was them and how they got their first break...

[CO Liberal]

4. The 1965 "Boy From NYC" Was By The Ad-Libs

Manhattan Transfer re-did the song in 1981 or '82.

I have their "Swing" CD in my office - it's good to listen to while I'm writing. Parts of that CD were recorded in Nashville, with Ricky Skaggs and other Nashville musicians provising instumental support. A great CD.

[NightTrain]

5. Another kick-ass Manhattan Transfer album is VOCALESE.

Released in 1985, if memory serves.

[progmom]

11. June of 1985

Not that I'm a geek or anything.

:)

[NightTrain]

16. All right! I was wondering when (not if) you'd turn up in this thread.

:hi:

[progmom]

19. Ah hah!

So you saw my pic on the "post a recent pic of yourself" thread already!
Yep, I am a true Transfer geek, and somewhat ashamed, but what can you do?

[BlueJazz]

6. I thought that 2 of the AD-Libs were part of Manhatten Transfer.

...or should I say ..Grew into Manhatten Transfer...

PS..I could be wrong.

[NightTrain]

7. 'Fraid not.

The Ad-Libs were an African-American group. The Manhattan Transfer is 100% caucasian.

[CO Liberal]

9. Thanks, NightTrain

I figured if anyone would know, it would be you.

:-)

I've been a DJ on and off since 1971. And I'm in awe of your musical knowledge.

[BlueJazz]

12. Well..I learned something then..... N/T

[NightTrain]

8. To quote Bush, "I know that."

:evilgrin:

[TahitiNut]

13. They're one of my favorites ... especially (at this time of year) ...

... their "Christmas Album" of about 10-12 years ago. Mellow. I particularly like their "Brazil" album - it shows a wonderful versatility. It's an awesome piece of work - not a single klunky track on it.

[progmom]

14. I've been a big Transfer geek since I was a youngster

Saw them live more times than I can count. When I got my driver's license, they became like my version of the Grateful Dead - I would see them anywhere within a 300 mile radius of Ann Arbor. Even drove as far as Boston and Atlanta on occasion. I seriously lost track somewhere after 35 shows.
I'm not as big a fan of the group anymore, but have become good friends with one of the members. Got to hang out for one of the recording sessions for the last record (Vibrate - came out in September) and sometimes stay with Janis when I am in NY. She's a very hip chick. :)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

15. I used to like them until they came into my store....

I used to work at a rare book shop in Lenox Square (Atl) and we had a lot of celebs visit. Maybe they were having a bad day, but they came across as conceited boors.

[progmom]

17. Hmmm. They all came in?

I can definitely vouch for Janis Siegel - she is a very kind, intelligent, hip woman. I can see maybe the other members coming across that way - especially the guys.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

20. Three of them. It was in '92.

I don't remember which ones came in.

[progmom]

23. Well that sucks

I have spent a lot of time with all of them, and not that my opinion counts for much, I can say that at least two of them are really decent people. The other two can be a little...self-centered.

[NightTrain]

18. I'm sorry to hear that.

But they can still sing their asses off!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

21. I can't argue that.

They are great musicians.

[NightTrain]

28. By the way, you have a great username!

"Skeet shooting provided excellent training for the men. It taught them how to shoot skeet." :evilgrin:

[progmom]

22. Oh, and since you mentioned the Criterions

Have you ever heard any of their singles?
Janis was in some girl groups when she was a teen, produced by Richard Perry. Her first single was on Red Bird! They were supposed to be modeled after the Shangri-Las.

Oh, I am just full of useless trivia.

[NightTrain]

26. Somewhere in my record collection is their 1959 recording of...

..."I Remain Truly Yours." It's the only Criterions record I've ever heard, though. I couldn't tell you if they released any other singles. :shrug:

[progmom]

29. Maybe sometime I should burn the rest of the Criterions' singles

...for you (not that they were anything special in terms of doo wop).
I could also throw in all 3 singles Janis cut in her teens.

[NightTrain]

31. That would be cool!

:yourock:

[babylonsister]

25. I LOVE them!

Man, if you only knew, but I am a fan of them for many reasons!

[da_chimperor]

32. Uh . . . who?

:shrug:

[NightTrain]

33. Oh, boy....

:eyes: