Couldn't Be Hotter [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In an age when digital studio sorcery can make recording stars from anyone with the requisite marketable physical charms, 30-year vets the Manhattan Transfer continue to stake their claim on the musical Real Deal with this, their first live album in seven years. Recorded during concerts at Tokyo's acoustically stellar Orchestra Hall, the NYC-based quartet leans heavily on the return to jazz basics (and core repertoire) of their recent tribute to Louis Armstrong, Spirit of St. Louis and its predecessor, the big band infatuated Swing. The Satchmo connections are further underscored by buoyant workouts of "Up a Lazy River" and "Stars Fell on Alabama," solo vocal showcases for Alan Paul and Janis Siegel, respectively, as well as the savory stylings of contemporary trumpet great Lew Soloff. But on tracks like the dobro-inflected, elegantly languorous "Blue Again" and Spanish guitar backed vocal showcase "Clouds," the veteran quartet ably prove their love of tradition hardly equates to traditionalism. --Jerry McCulley

Tracks:

Old Man Mose
Sing Moten's Swing
A-Tisket, A-Tasket
Sugar (That Sugar Baby O'Mine)
Up A Lazy River
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?
Stars Fell On Alabama
Gone Fishin'
Blue Again
Clouds (Adapted From 'Nuages')
Stompin' At Mahogany Hall
Nothing Could Be Hotter Than That
Its Good Enough To Keep
Don't Let Go
Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone
My Foolish Heart

Amazon.com

In an age when digital studio sorcery can make recording stars from anyone with the requisite marketable physical charms, 30-year vets the Manhattan Transfer continue to stake their claim on the musical Real Deal with this, their first live album in seven years. Recorded during concerts at Tokyo's acoustically stellar Orchestra Hall, the NYC-based quartet leans heavily on the return to jazz basics (and core repertoire) of their recent tribute to Louis Armstrong, Spirit of St. Louis and its predecessor, the big band infatuated Swing. The Satchmo connections are further underscored by buoyant workouts of "Up a Lazy River" and "Stars Fell on Alabama," solo vocal showcases for Alan Paul and Janis Siegel, respectively, as well as the savory stylings of contemporary trumpet great Lew Soloff. But on tracks like the dobro-inflected, elegantly languorous "Blue Again" and Spanish guitar backed vocal showcase "Clouds," the veteran quartet ably prove their love of tradition hardly equates to traditionalism. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Buy their OTHER live CD.......2006-05-18

This ain't good. MH are AWESOME...they are awesome LIVE and in the studio...this CD sounds like some amateurs who are pretty good at imitating them. With their level of perfection and synch I am surprised their producer, their label, and they themselves allowed this to be released. Plus it sounds muffled and lacking an ambient live sound. Their previous live CD is stand out!

Disappointing.......2004-09-23

This once great group needs some new direction. A new producer would help a great deal. Someone rescue them please.

Fantastic!.......2004-04-29

I just got this yesterday, and have listened to the album twice and a couple of cuts (#s 11,12) more than that. I'd rate this album 10 stars if I could.

The title track, "Nothing could be hotter than that" is the best single jazz song I have ever heard. Better than Bechet. MT joined with a band that is every bit their equal, and the refreshing, 'new' sound is a joy to hear.

Pegleg

The sound is masterful.......2004-03-30

I loved this cd because I have Manhattan Transfer live from the 80's and it was time for an update. This cd doesn't do the group justice on how they REALLY sound live BUT I still think this a 5 star worth. I have seen them 3 times and I am looking forward to seeing them again. If you like this type of music I would recommend New York Voices. How about a DVD on Manhattan Transfer??????????????

Disappointing technically and in content.......2004-01-26

I've been a fan of MT for some 30 years, both collectively, and a fan of Janis' solo work. I've enjoyed most of their forays into jazz over the years, but I really didn't connect as well with the "Swing" and "St Louis" albums. I found the arrangements too "busy" and just occasionally noise for noise sake. This live album reinforces my feelings concerning their recent musical directions. I found it basically unpleasant to listen to because of poor sound, and the arrangements, with a couple of exceptions. Overall, a disappointing effort technically, and this is one listener they have left behind over the past five years.

There's nothing "wrong" with what they are singing these days...I just find a lot of it too showy, and un-musical. just an opinion from a former fan who will await Janis' next solo work, and maybe something new from Keely Smith.

I mean, "Gone Fishin?" What a five minute exercise in boredom!

Music:

Music

Music