Vocal Jazz Singers DVDs

Bobby McFerrin : Live In Montreal

Review: Since a cappella pioneer Bobby McFerrin singlehandedly gave the vocal arts a hand up to a whole new level of possibilities in the 1980s with his iconic hit "Don't Worry, Be Happy," we have looked at him and listened to him with awe and gratitude. Experiencing him perform live several times only increased these feelings exponentially, and we had the feeling that everyone in the audience was on exactly the same page. Well, in the early 90s Bobby seems to have picked up on that, and has invited the audience to participate, and included interaction with guest musicians, all improvised. This has cemented his reputation as a marvelous entertainer, and has created a new kind of concert-not a performance, but a "communal sharing and celebration of music." This is exactly what the new DVD "Live in Montreal" is all about. It's beautifully filmed at the "Festival International de Jazz de Montreal," In these 21 video cuts, part of the audience is right up on stage with Bobby, and he improvises and creates musical events with them and members of the main audience. He improvises with a trapeze artist above him, and with a singing viola player. I'll just list some of the cut titles to give you a taste of what happens in this very special DVD: 12. "Improvisation with Richard Bona," 13. "Improvisation, Country Stuff," 13. "Baby," 14. "Improvisation with Tamango "Well You Needn't," 15. "Bwee Do," 16. "Le Grand Choeur de Montreal, It's a Wonderful World," 17. "Circlesong One," 18. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and 19. "The Wizard of Oz Medley." Bobby is a living a cappella legend, and this live show is creative, funny, touching and simply brilliant. Don't miss this one!

Songlist: Improvisation Style "Little Red Book", Improvisation with the People on Stage, Improvisation with Evelyne Lamontagne on the Trapeze (Extracts from the Opera Carmen), Improvisation with the Audience, Improvisation with Jorane "Riopel", Improvisation "Gonna Move", 'The Jump", "Drive", "Ave Maria', Richard Bona "Dina Lam", Improvisation with Richard Bona, Improvisation "Country Stuff", Baby, Improvisation with Tamango "Well You Needn't", "Bwee Doo", Le Grand Choeur De Montreal "It's A Wonderful World", "Circlesong One", "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", "The Wizard of Oz Medley", Melody from "Sun Concert 5", Sings Walking Off Stage

Bobby McFerrin : Spontaneous Invention

Review: This video was filmed for HBO live at the Aquarius Theatre in Hollywood in 1986, the year McFerrin won a Grammy - when he was at his first peak as a one man jazz band. It is absolutely marvelous to watch the energy and humor of this musical genius interact with an audience. On the CD you can hear "Thinkin' About Your Body" but you don't see the interlude where McFerrin suddenly starts improvising on someone's leather jacket. Watching him create "Bwee-Dop"using audience participation is very different from just hearing it (which is why it didn't make the CD), and there's no substitute for watching him egg on the crowd to do the hand signals in "Itsy Bitsy Spider," On "Fascinating Rhythm," his expressions are priceless as he emulates a 1940s jazz band. And his duet with/accompaniment to soprano saxaphonist Wayne Shorter is all the more astounding as you see the two of them lock eyes and minds. Of the 12 songs here, only four are on the CD. We highly recommend this DVD! 

Songlist: Scrapple From The Apple/honeysuckle Rose, Bwee-Dop, Cara Mia, Fascinatin' Rhythm, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Thinkin About Your Boy, Drive, Opportunity, I Got the Feelin', Walkin, Blackbird, Manana Iguana, Don't Worry, Be Happy (music video), Good lovin (music video)

Bobby McFerrin : Swinging Bach

Review: "Swinging Bach" is a 122 minute documentary of a festival that took place in the old town square of Leipzig, Germany. before a large, appreciative audience (who are standing throughout, are introduced to the groups in both English and German by an attractive pair of emcees, and who get seriously rained on later in the show). Featured are 12 groups of different genres, mostly instrumental, all playing Bach pieces or variations on Bach pieces. The German Brass and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, directed by Christian Gansch, are followed by a jazz interpretation of "Fugue No. 5 in D Minor" by the Jacques Loussier Trio, then another Bach Concerto and Fugue by the Leipzig orchestra and the German Brass. Then comes one of our favorite pieces, Bobby McFerrin with the G. Leipzig, doing a wonderful faux (violin?) lead on "Orchestra Suite No. 3 in D Minor," followed by more German Brass, G. Leipzig and some nice pieces by two quintets, the Quintessence Saxophone Quintet and Turtle Island String Quintet. Another of our favorites follows, The King' Singers. with a brilliant a cappella medley of Bach samples, "Deconstructing Johann," with their own very funny added lyrics, which we would like to see written down so we could appreciate them more. Quite a few added features follow, our favorites being "Improvisation on "Wachet auf ruft uns de Stimme," featuring Bobby with the Loussier Trio, and a piece with Bobby and the G. Leipzig where he goes into one of his standard concert improvisational vocal riffs. "Swinging" is an amazing event with some particularly nice work by McFerrin and the King' Singers.

Songlist: Concerto in D Major, BWV 972, 1st Movement, Allegro (German Brass), Orchestra Suite No. 1 in C Major, BWV 1066, Bouree I/II (GewandhausorchesterLeipsig, Christian GanschFugue No. 5 in D Major, BWV 850, from "The Well-Tempered Clavier" (JacquesLoussier Trio), Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043, Vivace (GewandhausorchesterLeipzig, Christian Gansch), Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565 (German Brass), Orchestra Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068, Air (Bobby Mferrin,Gewandhausorchester Leipzig), Concerto in D Major, BWV 972, 3rd Movement, Allegro (German Brass), Fudge Fugue in G Minor (Quintessence Saxaphone Quintet), Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043, Allegro (GewandhausorchesterLeipzig, Christian Gansch), "Bach's Lunch," Variations on Themes by J.S. Bach (Turtle Island StringQuartet), Snow What (Turtle Island String Quartet), Deconstructing Johann (King's Singers), Improvisation on "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" (Bobby McFerrin/JacquesLoussier Trio), Orchestra suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068, Gavotte (Jacques Loussier Trio), "Tocatta & Funk & Choral" (Quintessence Saxophone Quintet), "Seven Steps to Bach" J.S. Bach/Miles Davies (Turtle Island String Quartet), Orchestra Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067, Menuet/Badinerie (Jiri Stivin/Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Christian Gansch), "Jazz Medley," Part A (Jiri Stivin & Collegium Quodlibet), "jazz Medley," Part B (Jiri Stivin & Collegium Quodlibet), "Improvisation" (Bobby McFerrin), Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, BWV 1054, Allegro (Jacques Loussier Trio), Orchestra Suite no. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068, Gigue; End Credits

Bobby McFerrin : Try This At Home

Review: Recorded in front of a live intimate audience at Minneapolis' Walker Arts Center in September 1999, "Try This At Home" features the 10-time grammy Award winner Bobby McFerrin in a version of his renowned solo vocal concert. Entirely improvised, the performance displays Bobby's astonishing vocal virtuosity and musicianship, and his gift for audience interaction. With a comedian's sense of timing, an unrestrained zany streak, and an infectious love of every genre of music, Bobby's solo show is not a 'performance' but a communal sharing and celebration of music.

Songlist: Mysteries, Harmonizin, Try this at home, In the morning, Staccato groove, Opera style, The shirt-scratching song, Head in my bed blues, Folk rap, Walkin' on the beat, Out we go, Ducks, The name song, Calyso sing, More singin

Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea : Rendezvoux in New York

Review: Two music legends provide an evening of sheer delight as they blend their astonishing talent, passion and creativity. Chick Corea, one of today's most significant and versatile performers, has never lost his sense of exploration about music. Teamed with virtuoso vocalist Bobby McFerrin, whom Corea describes as a "totally unique artist" and "a genius of spontaneous improvisation," the pair's free-spirited performance soars wit exuberance. Captured in High-Definition Video and CD-quality sound, this rare duet concert at New York City's fame Blue Note Jazz Club was one of the highlights of a Grammy winning reunion celebration chronicling Corea's Amazing four-decade career.

Songlist: Improv 1, The Frog, 'Round Midnight, Autumn Leaves, Cocierto De Aranjuez / Spain, Smile

Edith Piaf : A Passionate Life

Review: Widely regarded as one of the most popular female singers of all time, Edith Piaf's unique voice and talent earned her an incredible career and the nickname "Little Sparrow." Filmed four years after her death, this French documentary contains a plethora of rare archival footage, film clips of Piaf in some of her greatest performances, and several historic interviews. Among the songs included are "La Vie en Rose," "A Quoi ‚a Sert l'Amour," "Milord," and "Mon Dieu." Edith Piaf: A Passionate Life also provides a retrospective of the singer's life and career, from her birth in 1915 to her death in 1963, and all of the tragedies and highly publicized romances in between.

Songlist: Introduction, Je Sais Comment, La Foule, La Fete Continue, Mon Manege a Moi, Milord, Le Chant D'Amour, Le Droit D'Aimer, A Quoi Ca Sert L'Amour, Heureuse, L'Hymne A L'Amour, L'Accordeoniste, La Vie En Rose, Padam Padam, Chants D'Habits, La Belle Histoire D'Amour, J'en Ai Tant Vu, Mon Dieu, Credits, Bonus Arretez La Musique, Bonus - La Goualante Du Pauvre Jean, Bonus - Padam...Padam, Bonus - Humne A L'Amour, Bonus - Le Roi A Fait Battre Tanbour, Bonus - C'est Merveilleux

Four Freshmen : Live From Las Vegas

Review: Bob Flanigan, one of the founding members of the legendary Four Freshmen, is on the stage in Las Vegas for this live, 23 song performance of the new incarnation of the 4Fs, Brian, Curtis, Vince and Bob, before a very appreciative audience. Where Flanigan and his mates would perform with a single member on the guitar, and often perform and record with a jazz band (such as Stan Kenton's) or orchestra, the new 4Fs play their own instruments, guitar, trumpet, bass and drums. But their voices are what makes this dvd special. The original Four Freshmen (founded at Butler U. in 1948) had a marvelous, era-defining, tight-harmonied tenor sound that sold millions of records and influenced every vocal jazz group that followed--and these four men simply nail it. So don't be put off by the fact that they are posing, very confidently, on the cover of "Live" holding their instruments. Instead, sit back and enjoy the show's amazing vocal harmony and wonderful jazz selections! Some favorites are the standards "Day In, Day Out," "Invitation," "Young and Foolish," "If I Only Had A Brain," "Angel Eyes," "Something's Gotta Give," "If I Had You," "Blue World," "September Song," "After You've Gone" and "We'll Be Together Again." A top-drawer show, and a great new incarnation of one of our favorite groups!

Manhattan Transfer : Christmas Concert

Review: What's better than hearing Manhattan Transfer sing our favorite holiday tunes? Seeing them sing those holiday tunes,LIVE! Thanks to the awesome sound and picture quality of this DVD, you can watch the internationally acclaimed quartet spread Christmas cheer in your very own living room. It's like having your very own personal concert. All 11 tracks from their earlier CD release, 'The Christmas Album' are presented as well as four solo songs (one for each member of the group). Also included, in the bonus features, is an rare interview with the group, sharing their individual backgrounds, their secret to success, and insight on how they learn their music as a group. This DVD is sure to become a Holiday Treasure and is not to be missed! In Dolby 5.1 surround sound.

Songlist: Happy Holiday, Let it Snow, Christmas Love Song, Santa Claus is Coming To Town, White Christmas, Sleigh Ride, It Came Across A Midnight Clear, Caroling, Caroling, Good King Wencesslas, Christmas Is Coming, Snow Fall, Merry Christmas Baby, Santa Baby, The Christmas Song, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Operator, Happy Holiday (Reprise), Goodnight

Manhattan Transfer : Vocalese

Review: You are encouraged to accept this invitation to the DVD party of the Manhattan Transfer's "Vocalese Live" featuring Cheryl Bentyne, Tim Hauser, Alan Paul, and Janis Siegel and recorded live at Nakano Sun Plaza Hall, Tokyo. All you have to do to RSVP is get yourself a copy of this live event featuring one of the best contemporary Vocal Jazz groups of our time. The companian to the same titled CD features: Four Brothers, Rambo, Meet Benny Bailey, Airegin, To You, Sing Joy Spring, Move, That's Killer Joe, The Duke Of Dubuque, Gloria, Heart's Desire, Birdland, On The Boulevard, Shaker Song, Java Jive, Blue Champagne, How High The Moon, Boy From New York City, and Ray's Rockhouse, in full digital color and is 80 minutes long. DVD not only boasts incredible video quality, the sound is just as pleasing.

Phil Mattson : Vocal Jazz: The Art & Technique

Review: Phil Mattson, director of the School For Music Vocations, shares his wealth of knowledge and experience on this information-rich video. With the aid of the mixed sextet, VoicesIowa, who perform selections such as "Embraceable You," "Body And Soul" and "Dancing In The Dark," Phil gives an overview of harmony, melody and phrasing. Also, he expounds on the importance of quality literature, and gives the viewer a brief introduction to the chief contributors to the development of the jazz idiom. Phil also dispenses his philosophy throughout, and his integrity and insight into the process of musical performance - a process requiring the body and the soul - shows remarkable wisdom and clarity.

Songlist: The Rehearsal As Sacred Time, Choral Tone, The Architecture of Performance, Quality Literature, Time/Rhythm, Vocal Technique, Complete Performances, Melody/Harmony Balance, Building Group Musicianship, Text/Word Stress, Phrasing, Harmonic Skill-Building Exercises

Phil Mattson and VoicesIowa : Count Your Blessings

Review: Formed at Southwestern Community College's School for Music Vocations in 1991, the mixed-voice sextet VoicesIowa was recently honored by Down Beat Magazine as "Vocal Jazz Group of the Year." Their repertoire also includes Renaissance part-songs, 19th and 20th century compositions and arrangements of contemporary music. Their Director Phil Mattson has been nominated twice for Grammy Awards. These 12 songs, recorded live at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, MN, feature Mattson-arranged winners like "Snow Covers the Valley," Bach's "Jesu, Meine Freude," Burt Bacharach's "Alfie," "Never Let Me Go," Johnny Mercer/Harold Arlen's classic "Blues in the Night" and Irving Berlin's "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep." Ward Swingle's "Country Dances" and the Swingle-arranged "Satchmo," Duke Ellington's "Don't Mean A Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing," Anders Edenroth of the Real Group's "Friendship" and Bobby McFerrin's "Jubilee" are other favorites. Great stuff, from the first cut to the last!

Songlist: Since All Is Passing, It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), Snow Covers the Valley, Jesu, Meine Freude, Alfie, Jubilee, Never Let Me Go, Satchmo, Friendship, Blues in the Night, Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep), Country Dances

Russell Robinson : Jazz Style and Improvisation for Choirs

Review: 'Jazz Style and Improvisation for Choirs' is an exceptional DVD designed to assist your students in achieving a comfort level witht he performance of jazz stlye and improvisation techniques within your choral program. Your students will learn and sing along with other students and on their own using this interactive DVD. Subjects and tecniques covered include: Chords Within the Blues Stle, Use of Scat Syllables, Improvising on Three Notes, Traing Fours - Listening and Learning, Putting It All Together, and Ballad Style.

Songlist: Introduction, Chords in the Blues, Adding Jazz/Scat Syllables, Part 1, Adding Jazz/Scat Syllables, Part 2, Using Three Notes to Improvise, Call and Response, Trading Fours, Part 1, Trading Fours, Part 2, Putting It All Together (Let's Sing Some Jazz!), Jazzin' it Up! (and Jazzin' it Down!), Days of Wine and Roses, Conclusion