MANHATTAN TRANSFER/A NIGHTINGALE SANG IN BERKELEY SQUARE

[oilrigpilot]

The people who are speaking of intonation DO NOT know what they are talking about. THESE "VOCAL ARTISTS" are in PERFECT tone. As with some (if not most) jazz, modern and past, have registers that contain delicate and purposeful, close-"noted" riffs - which gives US (the listener) an aural enjoyment that is filled with such dynamism and elegant complexities - enough of which, stirs the very soul that makes grown men cry !! THIS IS MUSIC, my friends. IN PERFECT and PURPOSEFUL PITCH !

[chobers]

Barclay square. BARCLAY.

[BuckieBear]

There is no better version of this song than this..

[tallnpear]

In my opinion, Mel Torme and Nat King Cole set the standard for this song. But this is my favorite rendition by far. It doesn't get any better than this. Thanks for posting it.

[Steluna47]

This is a wonderful song and an absolutely gorgeous rendition******

[lrkluvvy]

we're singing this in my quartet at school. its sooo beautiful

[humanbeing524]

the arrangement was Gene Peurling ! Amazing arrangement of this exquisite song!!

[organist1965]

Manhattan Transfer zeigt die

Hohe Schule des A cappella Singens.

Einfach nicht zu toppen!

[r1p1t18]

on the outside chance, ok manhattan transfer its time for a huge comeback

[SannitaSSJ]

HOW THE FUCK IN THE UNIVERSE could be that 8 people don't like THIS???

[tenfingers00]

@SannitaSSJ - they must be bieber or lady gaga fans LOL.....

[MrSirDel]

@SannitaSSJ 'Cos they are tone deaf

[Nostaljack]

@SannitaSSJ I just had the incredibly strange experience of someone telling me face to face (someone with a great voice who's supposed to be a trained opera vocalist) that she didn't like it. From that moment forward, I basically quit trusting her taste in music as a whole...LOL! I'll never understand how someone can hear this and not think it worthy of unadulterated praise.

[mindycrowe]

Love this song! Originally a WWII hit. Anything acapella in 4 part harmony... can't beat it!

[Drewx2x2]

masterpiece .. there are many :) .. what can you loose? Just your blues .. So loose them! gets me all emotional every time - I love it!!

[kegginstructure]

When they were on tour, this was their closing selection. They sent the band off and said, "OK, gang. Let's get quiet. We will do this song a capella. You keep the theater quiet and you won't miss a note." (And we didn't.) They hit the last note, the lights went down for 30 seconds, and then the house lights came up to a dark curtain. Who needs massive crescendos?

[zauriel1]

Still the best...as always!!!! And anyone who can find some group with tighter Jazz harmonies----well, good luck!!!!! These four have been doing this for over 30yrs!!! And, they sound great--still!!!! I was in a community chorus several years ago (and enjoyed all 3yrs I sang with them)...This was our 1st Jazz song that we sang...Love it!

[Kevierae]

When I think of how long they've been around and how consistent they've always been, then when I think of all the fly-by-nights out there trying to past for "singers," well I'm afraid there's just no comparison. MT is such a joy to hear. Thanks for always being such a good group to listen and admire!

[unfuser1]

They're still performing. Just saw them in an intimate jazz club in DC. It was magical!

[Yoko085]

Beautiful...

[TheAdarna67]

Missed them..wonder where they're now?

[lnasution76]

great

[therealzilch]

I'd be curious to know how many of the armchair critics of the intonation here have ever sung this piece. I have, and I can tell you, it's not easy, and MT have done a great job here.

[MetaSethical]

@therealzilch Indeed, this is NOT an easy vocal work to nail down. Very difficult intervals through most of the song, and the harmonies are such that you can't be even a TINY bit out of tune (it would destroy the entire magic of the tight jazz chords).

[LizzieDizzy]

@therealzilch although take 6 is personally a lot harder >.< 

[McOldYoung]

the opening is fondly remeniscant of "London by Night" also arranged by Puerling. Ahhhhhh, what wonderfulness.

[Feroal2]

they're flat.

[oldmathteacher]

Gene Puerling was one of the original Hi-LOs

[snootylittlecutie]

gorgeous song...loved it for years

[pambae]

Retro and beatifull version of Manhattan Transfer, very good voices and performer, thanks for posting.

[saketorasan]

MANHATTAN TRANSFER／Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (Live)

究極のアカペラ美。酔えます…。

[siamesepussy]

forcing myself to sleep with this one

[rmsydiaha]

Saw them live in Saskatoon in 1986 and was so sad that they never sang this song. What a treat to have this live vid, thanks!

[TVPaytonThompson]

uck

[Dirtbike778]

Give props to the genius who arranged this. Gene Puerling, if anyone has listened to The Singers Unlimited before you know that this guy is probably the best jazz vocal arranger who ever lived

[beninabox2000]

To those who say the intonation is better on the studio recording - well DUH!

Multiple takes, everyone wearing headphones, etc.

Plus this performance was the encore of the evening. They had just finished singing an entire concert! Pretty d*mn good if you ask me.

[ssummersify]

WTF are people talking about with the whole "out of tune" crap. I am an avid jazz listener and am amazed at some of the responses from people. This song is a classic and 'MT is the best at singing it. The intonations and chords suspensions, to the un-trained ear can't tell the difference in the intentional and or unintentional. For the last time.... THE CHORDS ARE SUPPOSED TO SOUND JUST AS THEY ARE SINGING THEM PEOPLE.

[Mxsmanic]

@ssummersify I like this song specifically because of the "out-of-tune" parts, which of course are actually precisely in tune. That's what makes the song so nice to hear. And yes, it's very difficult to sing, so I have to admire the Manhattan Transfer for managing it so well. They must all have perfect pitch or something.

[derivativemusic]

This is what in tune sounds like when real musicians perform. The imperfections are what makes it perfect.

[fluffyringer1]

This arrangement is an SOB to perform. Intonation must be dead on or you end up a full step lower than when you started.

[ssummersify]

@fluffyringer1 ..You are so right!!

[MrMadscotsman]

@fluffyringer1 totally true- check out the version (on this page) by daniscool... amazing kid!

[pbsclair]

if you have a bit sensitive ear then yeah there are some parts that are not so nice here... especially if you heard the recorded version gazillion times (like me!). i cringed a little at the beginning of the last 'such a romantic affair'

but alfaaxel is right.. it happens i guess. MT = still one of my FAV groups ever

[pbsclair]

hmm i should agree with fledgehog that they sounded much nicer on the record... the one on the record was PERFECT............

[fledgehog]

they ARE out of key, yes, even in comparison to the studio recording of THEMSELVES. Had the harmonies been in tune, they would have been unconventional but still beautiful. Go back and listen to even the opening chord... listen at 0:21, they arent even together in the unison, one of the female voices is slightly sharp. at 0:43 the lower female voice is out, 1:01, same voice is slightly sharp, 1:22 both female voices are sharp, i could go on but you get the point.

[moosejughead]

i've liked them since i was a little kid and i never tire of hearing them sing this one ....romantic, bittersweet, nostalgic, foreboding.....the adjectives are endless....it is a piece of perfection.....thank you MT for making this song part of my life's soundtrack

[snowfire1239]

this is an all-district song this year :D

[ElvisonaJet]

Listening to this group sing one song is like sitting through one hour of nails on a chalkboard. I put them in the same category as Wayne Newton and ABBA. It boggles my mind that singers this boring have been successful.

[56Packman]

@ElvisonaJet this begs the question: what is good, quality singing in your opinion?

[ElvisonaJet]

@56Packman Sinatra, Pavarotti, Patsy Cline. I listened to this rendition only because it was Diana's favorite song, not her favorite group, and I was curious to hear what they did with it.

[AIRx77]

4 words! Love love love it!!!!

[MrHarperxxx]

Classic!!!

[boyhermosa]

A NightinGAIL Sang in Baguio City....

[gail546]

@boyhermosa mmmm-- so caressing, i feel sleepy now :)

[boyhermosa]

@gail546 hehehe....swt sleep swtheart.....

[boyhermosa]

super blend so far..and an awesome transistion of notes...

[wagarcarey]

I don't think I have heard them do any song I did not like. Just a great group.

[mukazzi]

If I were a record producer, this would be the audition song for EVERY vocalist. Your vocal talent can't be hidden within the soundboard. I've always, always loved this song.

[sdano72]

Amazing. To all of the naysayers out there, i'd love to see you do better.

[brando1388]

i love this song... but seriously guys... what the fuck are they wearing?!?! lol... i keep expecting them to teliport on to the starship enterprise

[moosejughead]

@brando1388 lol...it was the early 80's....this was the era of asymetric clothing, hairstyles and a kind of quasi art deco style....it looks funny now but it was pretty stylin' back then

[ssummersify]

@brando1388 Outfits were from the early 80's. On point for that era...Trust.

[MrMiguelin59]

Qué canción más romáantica, cuando te encontré un ruiseñor cantó en Berkeley Square It was such a romantic affair and there were angels dining at the Ritz

Cinco estrellas para ésta canción.Really I'm a fan of Manhattan Transfer

[jigglesballoonlady]

truly beautiful !!!!



[cityrayman]

where can one purchase this film footage of the Manhattan Transfer doing what they do best???

[JubalCalif]

Love this song....love this group....even their odd outfits. Were they trying out for the big screen live action adaption of "The Jetsons"? In any case, they remain of the top vocal acts in the world....THANK YOU for sharing this delightful footage for us to enjoy! :)

[Magamaguitam]

Beauty...

[13vincettw]

This was spot on! My school is doing the same arraingement and it is exactly the same. To do this live is just incredible!!

[mikeg888]

They attempt more sophisticated chords and harmonies and that we have them put to such challenges is a credit to their vocal accomplishments. This is not one of my favorote MT tunes but it is one of my favorite songs of all-time. A real beauty!

[palestrinalives]

Dissonance is, by definition, a subjective term. One person's dissonance is another's sonority. I sing and play piano professionally and I'm absolutely sure that all their harmonies are intentional. They modulate, which might make it sound as though they are "out of key" to some. I think this is incredibly rich, complex and subtle, but as with everything, not to everyone's taste.

[unorgurlzball]

@palestrinalives ang balay ni Bilay Libat...

[LOLserver1]

thx utube...I always though the group could only sound great, in this particular song, in studio!!!. but this was LIVE!!. I have been to most of the Manhattan Transfer concerts in northern Europe but never had the chance to see them performing this song ....live!!. ON MY KNEES!!!...a master piece ;)

[zachishify]

ive been teaching music for over 20 years. i have the sheet music in front of me. they are all perfectly on key

[ohmagaod]

the only thing wrong with this song is those atrocious uniforms. i can't hear any of those "tuning problems".

[rondadoolin]

BEAUTIFUL....

[thamsanya]

Somebody - please post The Hi-Los rendition!

Thank you.

[wicklinematson]

I have to agree with PWhitmore84 on this one... This is a Gene Peurling arrangement and they do struggle to keep this performance in tune. It's a tough arrangement -- as all Peurling arrangements are -- and they are a talented group. But they are not the greatest acapella group of all time. Vox One, The Real Group, The Hi-Lo's, Rare Silk were all better. Man Tran is very entertaining and they have done some excellent work (Vocalese is my favorite), but there are tighter groups out there...

[HarmonySue1]

Superior Harmonies!

[pwhitmore84]

They were SO out of key in so many parts...I love the Manhattan Transfer, but if you look at the sheet music and then compare it to what they were singing, it was not their best work. They struggled to hit the last chord here....

[Fierology]

Sheet music is known to differ from actual performance versions, so that could be the problem. I have the album version, and they got it almost to a tee when compared to that. Also, the dissonant chords they sing are intended, not due to being out of key. As for whether or not they drifted from their starting key, I can't say. I didn't try checking their notes to a keyboard.

[alwynsw]

@pwhitmore84 Taste is taste. Learn a bit more about four part harmony and intentional dissonance to truly appreciate this recording.

It's a great arrangement. I once got a call to play for Transfer in Phoenix.  It doesn't get any better.

But then, I'm a reed man. What do I know?

[pwhitmore84]

I know well enough about intentional dissonance to know it wasn't intentional here, they sang the right notes but not in the right keys. But you're right, taste is taste and to each their own. I just don't prefer this version.

[spideydew20]

Vocal groups simply do not get ANY better than this!! WOW. This is probably the quintessential a cappella song, and NO better group to sing it than the Manhattan Transfer. (I think it might be physically impossible to listen to these harmonies and not get the chills....) If you ever get a chance to see them in concert, DON'T MISS IT!!!!

[chastuna62]

Still the best...................

[frickenrabbi]

amazing

[EBbarri]

wow............

[na12la]

Superb arrangement - superb vocals. It doesn't get any better than that.

[MaryShelley72]

Brilliant. Probably the best a cappella singing you'll ever hear.

[azy63]

This song is their Masterpiece. It just wraps you up and holds you tight in a celebration of the human voice.

[AlfaAxel]

@azy63 Yes a Masterpiece indeed - but this performance does not live up - is it just me who thinks that this is "out of tune"?

[jugglersam1]

@AlfaAxel Its not out of tune they are singing the right notes, but it can sound out of tune to people who don't listen to this sort of jazz also a lot of the chords are suspensions that aren't resolved

[AlfaAxel]

@jugglersam1::I am just more demanding because I've heard the "Manhattan Transfer" recordings from around1980. Listen to the solo, second phrase (on the first line of the song) "the night we met" - it is a bit staggering, and the tenor is worse further along in the song. I love the chords and the way "MT" arranges music - but this one is not so good.

[wasabimonster]

@AlfaAxel I'm sorry, I agree completely with your sentiment. I just started learning this piece and was going to use this recording as a reference, but I might as well stick to plunking notes out on a piano.

[AlfaAxel]

@wasabimonster :: It is such a nice piece to play. You can find the original Vera Lynn here and many more.

A good musiclover could find out what the intention of the Manhattan Transfer arrangement is, but the performance is definitely out of tune, not much, maybe, but I have always been extremely sensitive to intonation and I normally love the MT-performances and respect them for being wonderfully "right on the spot" - normally. But not this one. They would say: It happens :-)

[AlfaAxel]

@AlfaAxel :: I could add: When you are on a stage you cannot always hear what you sing. I have tried and find it most confusing.

[cullencovenmember]

@azy63 its not theirs, the original version was sang and first recorded in 1943

[azy63]

@cullencovenmember Thank you!

[cristianswingful]

Genios! Uno de los mejores grupos vocales...

[bloodsmearedkiss]

Man..I remember singing this in our Jazz group in High School. Was truly one of my faves. Amazing song. Love it

[divotdiva]

Oh, just beautiful harmonies! Those chords are sooo tight!

[musicajaja]

I agree with you one of the best vocal version ofthis jazz standard not often play. Louis

[Aloflymm]

They were sponsored by Akai at the time, and had to wear stuff that fitted in with the ad campaign. Never mind what they were wearing - this is one of the best examples of acapella you'll ever hear.

[Noragirlie63]

what on earth are they wearing - sort of Kraftwerky and somewhat not right, they dont look like the people I remember from the 70's

[yarbles67]

Good call on Kraftwerk. Can you say 'Numbers'! They should be sportin' some ol' school 40's attire. Either way - this version is extremely dialed in.

[Gaygarious]

I saw this show. The costumes were sort of outer spacey.... startrek kinda ... The opening no. was BOSS!

[Brightstar27]

They are truly awesome.

[Writahman]

Between 2:19 and 2:30 is my favorite section of the song...that's when they show off their vocal prowess.

[Writahman]

This is trademark Manhattan Transfer sound. Love it!

[BroadwayVocalist]

I absolutely love this this song! Only complaint, the only printed version I've seen has different key changes halfway through the song. Any ideas on where to find this version?

[Altivelzian]

Well all credit to Gene Puerling (if I remember correctly) for the arrangement.

[FreshCliches]

Correct...Gene Puerling (bass of the vocal group "The Hi-Los") won a Grammy for the arrangement.

My mom sang with Gene in her HS choir. :)

[Beebers2006]

We totally sang this in our Chamber choir in college....gosh, I love this arrangement.

[naynay1080]

I was lucky enough to see them at Dominion Theatre ... Awesome...

[jimgriff]

quartertone perfection. But if you love MT, you should give a listen to Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. They, or more to the point, Jon Henricks, were genius.

[jody808]

aahh...this is taking me back, we loved this arrangement

[gkutt57]

The Manhattan Transfer is one of my favourite bands. I saw them live in Hong Kong many years ago, and was the best concert I attended besides Sammy Davis Jr.

[carolerory]

They sang that on the Carson show years ago

during the holidays.. remember it well.

Have to say they are the best vocal group ever along with the Mills Brothers for my money.

[kaileight11]

i LOVE this song. so much. and i love manhattan transfer. so few of my friends even know who they are!! its tragic! i'm singing the soprano part for an upcoming concert. we're doing it with 8. so double parts. i can't wait!!

[hughvane]

This is the first I've seen MT singing this lovely song, although I have it on CD. It is, in my musical opinion, the best rendition I've ever heard.

MT's control of pitch and harmony is extraordinary. I just love the change at the end from avante garde jazz harmony (discord) to traditional root position classical harmony.

[ArbeiterInnenlieder]

One of the best songs ever. I love it. MT rule.

[peerah]

I used to sing this with a choir I was in......So beautiful but so darn hard to keep in pitch!

[Corrie121]

A reminder of my childhood in wartime Britain. This is an astonishing good rendition, and I thank you sincerely for sharing it on YT.

[mikeg593]

This is beautiful... My choir is singing this for our Valentines day concert!

[samGii]

theyre so good..... wow

[Breckgold]

Thank you so much! What ever happened to beautiful music?

[actingchick506]

this amazing!! I love this group!! thanks forp osting they are great!!

[jcatter]

soy fanatico de este grupo y esta version del tema me parece exelente

[leahherod]

My choir sang this in hs, and I have always loved them since. Amazing song.

[freddylm23]

my acapella group did it too...but where did you have the notation part...

[intunedave1]

Just Perfect, fantastic arrangement and it dont get better than this.

[Rasmusemil]

Indeed!! perfect :-D

[KiNeTiCLigHtEnInG]

I love this song so much.

[Alanmeis]

Probably one of the finest they have ever done. Thanks for posting!

[tenortwo20]

One of the best ensembles in the world. You can't compare with them.

[JLAWS07]

GREAT GREAT! LOVE IT!!

[amonfrotte]

I really love it, as it reminds me so tenderly to sunny days exploring life in the eighties. Therefor my tags would have noting to do with the music (sorry manhattan..) but much with the moments it has coloured.

[oklangno]

nice video..thanks for posting...

[bobnonymous]

wow! I too have been looking for this version forever. Thankyou much!

[soundman22dbs]

Excellent!!! i've looking for this song for ages!!this one of my alltime favorite song !!! nice post!!!i hope you can post some noel pointer songs??? VERY COOOOOOOL\!!!

[Wolfsky9]

The legendary Gene Puerling did this arrangement for the group, on '81's "Mecca For Moderns"  Just masterfully done, but yes, I do wonder how The Singers Unlimited would have done it. Thank-you, Tim, Janice, Cheryl and Alan: you're just the best, and the memories are forever. Wolfsky9

[dbookin]

I never get tired of hearing Manhattan Transfer. No one does this song better

[bs800]

Wonderful! We sing this one and some other songs which mt sings, too...

(btw we try it :) )

[sidekickstupidco]

acctually..around 2:20 or 2:21..its kinda creepy..it scared me the first time i heard it..lmao....

[sidekickstupidco]

this is sooooo cool..my group in FL [total sound] is doing this for states..were not as good as them though..lmao..i hope we live up to this..=]....

[mmffxx]

nice...

they were rushing it a bit. ~

[cly2fan]

no thats the tempo they were suppost to do that

[yarbles67]

absolutely wonderful. i'm sure any Brit still around that was alive during the Blitz would probably think the same.

[andocrates]

Actually, Dame Vera Lynn who had the big hit with this during WWII is still alive and active.

[Markeygirl]

Thank you for posting this part of my past... I love hearing it again.

[saelynne]

I remember listening to this song on the radio when i was a young kid...28 years later and i still love it. Such grace and beauty in their singing. Lovely lyrics too.

[AmberABCg]

This is classic! I was looking for this a few weeks ago and I'm thrilled you posted it! Thank-you!!!