popsrocks's Full Review: The Christmas Album by Manhattan Transfer
The Manhattan Transfer is a four part harmony group that started up under the leadership of Tim Hauser in 1972. The foursome includes two guys and two gals who over the years have had great success with their CDs and live shows. They are Multi-Grammy winners including both pop and jazz categories in one year. In an interview the group leader Tim Hoasuer explained,
"Our signature is clearly
four-part harmony. We based our voicings on the structure of the saxophone section of the Count Basie Band; blending soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices."
I happen to enjoy their music, unfortunately I was not ecstatic about their Christmas CD that is still a big seller since the album came out in 1992.
Starts with Snowfall a slow, going nowhere tune that almost caused me to give up on this CD before I even went to the next song. After an intro that must take two minutes we get some voices singing in harmony. It's a good song to be lulled to sleep with rather than an opener setting a mood.
Next Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let It Snow This is where they finally show a little bit of life. Very little.
Have you ever listened to a singing group that suddenly went into slow motion. This is the way I hear the opening numbers on this album. The voices are beautiful and the orchestration behind them full but there's just no spark. A few seconds is given over to trumpeter Jack Sheldon but even his contribution was relegated to a "far off in the distance" sound. I suppose they were looking for atmosphere but it was just too sleepy for me.
In Santa Claus is Coming to Town they finally come to life with a bit of zip, a little tickle of the ivories, great harmonies, and scat type solos. This is a joy to listen to one. The jazz base of the group comes through best in this one. The piano, base and horns in the back gave this the energy I was hoping to hear through out the CD.
The Christmas Song "Chestnuts Roasting on an open flame..." has guest Tony Bennett singing the song with the group as back ground. Bennett's voice works well with the smooth background of the quartet. Though there's an interlude or two with the "transfer' taking some bars, it's a Tony Bennett song with a touch of jazz arrangement. I like this one.
The Manhattan Transfer takes Silent Night as with It Came upon a Midnight Clear that comes a little later on the CD and features a boys choir background that gives a cathedral like performance with beautiful harmonic soprano voices of a choir filling the ears. Both are pleasing with a contemplative Christmas spirit.
Caroling, Caroling gets a little help with horns, strings and bells ringing. It's fun but a quick one at only one minute sixteen seconds. It's almost like an introduction to the next, even more upbeat, Happy Holiday (Medley) The big band sound comes through on this one as the singers take turns with solos singing out adding a few other bars of a couple of other songs intermixed. This is perhaps the best arrangement for my ears on the CD with horns comin' in a sceamin'. This is one fun romp!
Christmas Love Song a pensive tune that takes the pace way back down again. Too quickly for me. Just as the "Transfer" were getting on a roll, the bus comes to a dead stop. Again, like the opening the arrangements is fine but the pace just too darn slow.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Keeps with this pace but with a difference. The harmonies in this one are particularly interesting and easy to listen to. The full orchestra seems a bit further in the background on this one giving more punctuation to the foursome. That's the Manhattan Transfer sound I like with individual voices coming through from time to time.
Good Night the Lennon & McCartney song from the White Album that I remember sitting around with my buddies listening to when it first came out. It closed that album as it does this CD. It's a lullaby and the position suits it. I would have rather not have the children's speaking voices, though cute, added to finish the song. Music began the cd. It should have finished it.
Last Thoughts
I was somewhat disappointed in this CD. I was hoping for more upbeat harmonies, instead the disc has many pensive and much too slow song arrangements that put me to sleep rather than getting me into a relaxed holiday mood. I like the touch of Jazz mixed in with the otherwise pop sound of the group. They shine when the songs are influenced by Jazz. Many arrangements were set up by Johnny Mandel. It was good to hear some guests on horns playing in the background. I read "trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison and tenor-saoxphonist Pete Christlieb" helped fill in some musical bars. The couple of pieces, though different than usual "Tranfer" style, with choir background were quite beautiful.
I still listen to this CD but many other receive greater "air time" in our home.
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