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Tonic Vintage Vocals -
Tonic Vintage Vocals (SKM Creative)
Released: December, 2004
These guys compare themselves to the Manhattan Transfer.
But the more you listen to 'em, the less they sound like the Manhattan
Transfer, and the more they sound like themselves. Now, there's nothing
especially profound about all of that, except that to say that the
original comparison was too easy. This disc, released in 2004, but new
to me, contains a mix of classic and original material; in fact, more
than half of the tracks are originals.
I prefer Great American Songbook - and any of the classic tracks on this
disc are top-notch stuff. The opening track - Bobby Troup's "Lemon
Twist," is a fine introduction to what this group is capable of. Karen
Multer's solo on "I've Got A Crush On You" is dreamy and soaring. The
duet with Ms. Multer and Jennifer Chada on the Gifford/Washington
classic "Smoke Rings" is delightful, even if hazardous to your health.
Of the originals, the Multer-Langford-Multer penned "Hepster's Jive" is
easily the best of the bunch, followed by "Second Date Stomp," and
"Cloudy Memories," with a Jennifer Chada Solo. Ms. Chada, it would
appear, has already left the group.
The backing band is surprisingly large for an independent outing like
this. Hats off to Mark Olen on Trumpet, Jim Gailloreto on clarinet and
sax, Shawn Sommer on Bass, Kraig McCreary on guitar, and Tom Radtke on
drums. Good stuff.
This one's iTune-able, so spend three bucks, and get "Lemon Twist,"
along with "I've Got A Crush On You," and "Hepster's Jive." Then if you
like those, try "Smoke Rings," and Mercer/Van Heusen's "I Thought About
You."
It's all good, and good fun, too. But it's time to stop the comparison
to The Manhattan Transfer, and time for them to start making their
own path. Quit the day jobs, guys. Either you're in, or you're not.
Be in.
Yeah, they're that good.
Recommended.
 Three microphones (out of four)
- Doug Boynton
(03/24/07) |
