Man-Tora:Live In Tokyo

Manhattan Transfer Man-Tora:Live In Tokyo Lyrics
1.Birdland

birdland

5,000 light years from birdland
But i'm still preachin' the rhythm
Long-gone, uptight years from birdland
An' i'm still teachin' it with 'em

Years from the land of the bird
An' i am still feelin' the spirit
5,000 light years from birdland
But i know people can hear it

Bird named it, bird made it, bird heard it, then played it
Well-stated! birdland--
It happened down in birdland

Oh!

In the middle of that hub
I remember one jazz club
Where we went to pat feet
Down on fifty-secon' street

Everybody heard that word
That they named it after bird

Where the rhythm swooped and swirled
The jazz corner of the world

An' the cats they gigged in there
Were beyond compare

Birdland - i'm singin' birdland
Birdland - ol' swingin' birdland

Hey, man, the music really turns you on!
Y' turn me on,
Really, y' turn me aroun'
'n turn me on

Down them stairs, lose them cares - where?
Down in birdland
Total swing, bop was king - there
Down in birdland
Bird would cook, max would look - where?
Down in birdland
Miles came through, 'trane came too - there
Down in birdland
Basie blew, blakey too - where?
Down in birdland
Cannonball played that hall - there
Down in birdland
Yeah---

There may never be nothin' such as that
No mo' - no mo'
Down in birdland, that's where it was at
I know - i know
Back in them days bop was ridin' high
Hello! 'n goodbye!

How well those cats remember
Their first birdland gig
To play in birdland is an honor we still dig
Yeah---that club was like--
In another world, sure enough--
Yeah, baby
All o' the cats had the cookin' on
People just sat an' they was steady lookin' on
Then bird--he came 'n spread the word--
Birdland

Yes, indeed, he did
Yes, indeed, he did
Yes, indeed, he did
Yes, he did, parker played at birdland
Yes, he really did
Yes, indeed, he really did
Yes, he really did
Told the truth down in birdland
Yes, indeed he did, yardbird parker played in
Birdland

Yes, indeed, he really did
Charlie parker played in birdland

Bird named it, bird made it, bird heard it,
Then played it
Well-stated! birdland
It happened down in birdland

Everybody dug that beat
Everybody stomped their feet
Everybody digs be-bop
An' they'll never stop

Down them stairs, lose them cares - yeah!
Down in birdland
Total swing! bop was king - yeah!
Down in birdland

Bird would cook, max would look - yeah,
Down in birdland
Miles came through, 'trane came too - yeah!
Down in birdland
Basie blew, blakey too - yeah!
Down in birdland

Cannonball played that hall - yeah
Down in birdland

Down them stairs, lose them cares - yeah
Down in birdland
Total swing! bop was king - yeah
Down in birdland

Bird would cook, max would look - yeah,
Down in birdland
Miles came through, 'trane came too - yeah!
Down in birdland

Basie blew, blakey too - yeah!
Down in birdland
Cannonball played that hall - yeah
Down in birdland

Down them stairs, lose y' cares -yeah
Down in birdland
Total swing! bop was king - yeah
Down in birdland

Bird would cook, max would look - yeah,
Down in birdland

Background solo:
Come in pairs down them stairs, lose y' cares
Them that dares gits it!

Pay the gate, don't be late
It's a date! - whattay' know
If y' dig, then you'll dig, it's a groove
Quite a groove, 'cause y' t' move
Come in twos, pay your dues

What can you lose?
Just your blues!
So lose them!

The band swingin' one and all and what a ball!
Yeah!

Music is good, music is better than good
Pretty good
Very nice
Really very good - things are bein' like they should
Very good -- very good -- very good

All y' gotta do is lend an ear
An' listen to it
Then y' dig a little sooner than soon
You'll be diggin' everything diggin' all the music

What a ball!

How y' gonna figure out
A way t' bring it all about amid a
Lot o' other music on the set'n on
The scene know what i mean?
How y' gonna separate the music from the scene
'gonna have t' keep the memory clean
Y' gonna hear a lotta' sound -- a lotta soun'


2.Blue Champagne

3 am
Nowhere else to go
It's 3 am and i miss you so
Couples are departing soon they'll all be gone
Now another day is starting
Still i linger on with

Blue champagne
Purple shadows and blue champagne
With the echoes that still remain
I keep a blue rendezvous

Bubbles rise
Like a fountain before my eyes
And they suddenly crystallize
To form a vision of you

All the plans we started, all the songs we sang
Each little dream we knew
Seems to overtake me
Like a boomerang
Blue is the sparkle, gone is the tang

It's your refrain,
Keeps returning, as i remain
With all the memories and blue champagne
To toast the dream that was you
I'm bluer than blue champagne


3.Body And Soul

Don't you know, he was the king of saxophones
Yes indeed he was;
Talkin' 'bout the guy that made it sound so good
Some people knew him by the bean
But hawkins was his name

He sure could swing and play pretty too
Sounds good to me -- should sound good to you
I love to hear him playing body and soul
Very pleasing to the ear

When i first heard it on the record
I just stopped-- right there,
Sounded like a band of angels in the sky,
And i have never ever heard a sweeter tone
I fact i pay no 'ttention to the saxophone
'til coleman hawkins came along and spoke to everyone --
Saying better listen won't you hear me,
While i play for you --

Sometimes it's hot
Then again it's blue
My soul just seems to wander,
Pleasing each and everyone --
It's what i've long been craving for

The doors have not been always open,
But i am trying to please you.
Please don't stop me.
Hope you like it folks

And then he started cookin' --
Everytime he played
Some melodic melody fast or slow
You could tell that it was hawkins --

No other one ever has
Quite captured his tone
Just he alone --
Has the sound that penetrates
It will sure go right through you
Yes it will --
And every chorus gives you just another thrill

Then along came eddie jefferson
He sang the melody like hawkins played it
He sang it true
He sang it blue
Made words for it too

All his fans in new york loved him
There's no one above him
Here in the usa
I've heard 'em say ol' eddie was the man

Oh how he could sing
Man did he swing
Sang on the wing, did his own thing
Yes he did

Throughout the country --
Music lovers are still wiggin' on eddie's singin'
All around the world -- he is known
Rhythm was his special joy --
He swung it like a horn

He must have been born to be a singer
'cause his lyrics were so sincere and true
Funny sad or blue
Oh yeah!

And we've got to remind you
Many years it took him
Singing every day to achieve his first claim to fame

He was twenty years ahead of his time
And he knew it
But he kept right on-a singing
He went all around the world making rhythm
'cause music sure was in him and he knew it was

Sang with moody and richie cole
He could sing it just like bird
But his forte was the words he wrote to
Music that he sang

So he sang, and he sang
And he sang his words so clever
And i know they'll silence him never
'cause he cut this masterpiece

And now we're trying to sing it for you
Hope the bean and eddie both would still approve
There we go
We didn't mean to reminisce
You can surely bet
That we won't forget
'cause we hear them yet
Goodbye


4.Boy From New York City

Ooo wah, ooo wah cool, cool kitty
Tell us about the boy from new york city
Ooo wah, ooo wah c'mon kitty
Tell us about the boy from new york city

He's kind of tall
He's really fine
Some day i hope to make him mine, all mine
And he's neat
And oh so sweet
And just the way he looked at me
He swept me off my feet
Ooo whee, you ought to come and see
How he walks
And how he talks

Ooo wah, ooo wah cool, cool kitty
Tell us about the boy from new york city

He's really down
And he's no clown
He has the finest penthouse i've ever seen in town
And he's cute
In his mohair suit
And he keeps his pockets full of spending loot
Ooo whee, say you ought to come and see
His dueling scar
And brand new car

Every time he says he loves me
Chills run down my spine
Every time he wants to kiss me
He makes me feel so fine
Ooo wah, ooo wah cool, cool kitty
Tell us about the boy from new york city

Well he can dance
(he can dance, take a chance with a little ro-)
And make romance
(mance baby, cause he's a looker)
That's when i feel in love
With just one glance
(he's sweet talking and cool)

He was shy
And so was i
And now i know i'll never, ever say goodbye
Ooo whee, say you ought to come and see
He's the most
From coast to coast

Ooo wah, ooo wah cool, cool kitty
Tell us about the boy from new york city
Ooo wah, ooo wah c'mon kitty
Tell us about the boy from new york city


5.Foreign Affair

When traveling abroad in the continental style
It's my belief that one must attempt to be discreet
And subsequently bear in mind your transient position
Allows you a perspective that's unique
Though you'll find your itinerary's a blessing and a curse
Your wanderlust won't let you settle down
And you wonder how you ever fathomed that you'd be content
To stay within the city limits of a small midwestern town
Most vagabonds i knowed don't ever want to find the culprit
That remains the object of their long relentless quest
The obsession's in the chasing and not the apprehending
The pursuit you see and never the arrest

Without fear or contradiction bon voyage is often hollered
In conjunction with a handkerchief from shore
By a girl that drives a rambler and furthermore
Is overly concerned that she won't see him anymore
Planes and trains and boats and buses
Characteristically evoke a common attitude of blue
Unless you have a suitcase and a ticket and a passport
And the cargo that they're carrying is you
A foreign affair juxtaposed with a stateside
And domestically approved romantic fancy
Is mysteriously attractive due to circumstances knowing
I will only be parlayed into a memory


6.Four Brothers

Take a seat and cool it 'cause unless you overrule it
We are ready to show you some blowin'
A rompin' and a stompin' is a lot of fun
Four brothers who are blowin' our horns

So settle down an' listen 'cause you don't know what you're
missin'
And we're ready to give you a showin'
A movin' it 'n groovin' it has just begun
Four brothers who are blowin' our horns

We got a little message that you're gonna enjoy
Ain't no sense in dodgin' the facts
So settle in your easy chair an' if you ever had a care - forget
it,
It's time to relax

We might as well admit it, we're the best that ever did it
But in case you ain't too sure a knowin'
We're gonna let you listen to us one by one
Four brothers who are blowin' our horns

Janis:
How'd ya do, i'm talkin' about you
It's very nice to know that you have really taken time to listen
to me blow
'cause as sure as i'm born, i'm blowin' my horn
It's me baby, i'm blowin', zootin' it up
And i hope you dig the sounds i'm makin' more'n any other
Now i must go for it's time for you to listen to my other
brother

Tim:
I think the chick's talkin' 'bout me so i'd better go 'n see
I'm hip that she knows a horn is very best to greet you
That's the reason i'm blowin' so snappily
I don't know what ya got, but it thrills me an' i hope to have a
lot
'cause it puts me in clover
So baby, if you would like to dig my other brother
You're gonna have to turn the record over

Alan:
Hey hey hey
Who ya talkin' about, say who ya talkin' about
Did i hear you say you'd introduce your other brother
'cause in case i heard you talkin' about three, that's me
Pleased to meet you, how'd you do, how are you, nothing new,
How is everything with you?
Whattya say i leave this jazz up to my brother --

Cheryl:
Dig dig dig my long island sound
I hope you're puttin' it down
You got me in a mood that's so romantic
If you notice you can dig this silly old act
Because i'm actin' so distracted when i dig you
Pretty baby you will never know how much i really dig you
You have got me so excited that i goofed blowin' my horn

All:
Ooh bop the news is gettin' around, we're really puttin' it down
We're glad of fact that you enjoy it and we wish we had the time
to give you more
Thank you for the compliment
You told us we were better just as if we didn't know it
We're hip that we're the best, we're over all the rest
We're in the modern school, we always play it cool, we never
play the fool
The honkers and the squeakers might be stealin' the show
But we don't go for that, so while we blow

Band member:
Hi-ho, lackadaise, for it's a natural fact
I ain't no kin, but i would like to get in the act!

All:
Well get outta here, get outta here, get outta here
Now fellas we appreciate him makin you mad,
But we must ask you to apologize
Because after all he's in our band

Four brothers, four brothers, four brothers
Although we sound like more
Four brothers, four brothers, four brothers
We're really only four

We like to blow but we don't know how time can fly and how our
cares pass away
We wish the time would never go so we could take our time an'
blow 'til judgement day

Four brothers, four brothers, four brothers
Now just one final word:

Janis: i'd like to know you and i hope i don't forget you
Tim: it's really a pleasure and i hope i don't look silly to you
Alan: i'm hopin' the story that i told did not upset you
Cheryl: sorry now in conclusion were you hoping that you heard
four

All:
So just before we go we want you to know ---
We're glad you let us show you how we always end up with that
jazz
(we don't call for back up on the road)
Oh - ohhh!!!!


7.How High The Moon

Somewhere there's music, how faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven,
How high the moon
There is no moon above where love is far away too
'til it comes true
That you love me as i love you

Somewhere there's music, how near how far
Somewhere there's heaven, it's where you are
The darkest night would shine if you would come to me soon
Until you will be still my heart
How high the moon!

Guitar solo

Somewhere there's music, how faint the tune
Somewhere there's a heaven,
How high the moon
There is no moon above where love is far away too
Until you will, be still my heart
How high the moon!


8.Jeannine

Last time
Last time i saw jeannine
She looked just like a royal queen
And she cruised by
With some wealthy guy
In a cadillac limousine
Last time
Last time i saw jeannine

Last time
Last time i saw jeannine
Recall when we were seventeen
I was a beau
'twas not so long ago
But too short
Of that long lost dream
To satisfy jeannine

Now she's gone from me
Moved away from the old neighborhood
And i'm certain
She's gone for good

Last time
Last time i saw jeannine
The dollar signs stood in between
It was a love lost to the rising cost
But since then, i have never seen
I have never seen jeannine

Instrumental solo

Now she's gone from me
Moved away from the old neighborhood
And i'm certain
She's gone for good

Last time
Last time i saw jeannine
The dollar signs stood in between
It was a love lost to the rising cost
But since then, i have never seen
I have never seen jeannine

Last time
Last time i saw jeannine
Last time
Last time i saw jeannine

Scat section

Hey cats - are you ready?
Oh jeannine (jeannine)
Jeannine (jeannine)

Last time
Last time i saw jeannine --
Last time i saw jeannine --


9.Malaise En Malaisie

Gentle one
Malaise en malaisie
Secure a cure to see
This favor, won't you send me
Two might be in love in malaisie
It's so bittersweet, malaise
Haunting me
So inseparable, malaise en malaisie

Requited love said adieu
Asian eyes rendezvous
And my heart beats unanswered
Love burns fast, love burns true
Mon amour i need you
Come to me my entrancer
Long ago we vowed this love unsung
Now i write so perplexed and numb

Gentle one
Malaise en malaisie
Secure a cure to see
This favor, won't you send me
Two might be in love in malaisie
It's so bittersweet, malaise
Haunting me
So inseparable, malaise en malaisie

A silent cry cools the night
Jungles hide you from sight
Indonesia confesses
My passion calls out your name
Fever runs through my brain
Like a maze of oppression
Chances are you'll say
'too late, au revoir'
Still i write this prayer from malasia

Gentle one malaise en malaisie
Secure a cure to see
This favor, won't you send me
Two might be in love in malaisie
It's so bittersweet, malaise
Haunting me
So inseparable, malaise en malaisie


10.Operator

Operator
Give me information
Information
Give me long distance
Long distance
Give me heaven...

(two, three)
Operator
Information
Give me jesus on the line
Operator
Information
I'd like to speak to a friend of mine
Oh prayer is the number
Faith is the exchange
Heaven is the street
And jesus is his name
Operator
Information
Please give me jesus on the line

Operator
Information
Won't you tell me why
Tell me why
Operator
Information
Don't try to tell me
What number to call
My mother used this number
When i was very small
And everytime she dialed it
She always got 't call the
Operator
Information
Please give me jesus on the line

Operator
Information
Please hurry if you can
Oh operator
Information
Please connect me
With the man
Don't worry 'bout the money
You know i will pay the charge
Just give me on the line
I'm callin' from my heart
Operator
Information
Please give me jesus on the line
Please give me jesus on the line

Won't you please -
Give me jesus
Give me jesus on the line

Yeah!


11.Route 66

If you ever
Plan to motor west
Travel my way, take the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on route 66

It winds from chicago to la
More than two thousand miles all the way
Hey, get your kicks on route 66

Now you go through st. louie
Joplin, missouri
And oklahoma city looks mighty pretty
Hey janis, now you'll see amarillo
Gallup, new mexico
Flagstaff arizona
Don't forget winona
Kingman, barstow, san bernadino

Won't you get hip to this timely tip
When you make that california trip
Get your kicks on route 66

Now you go through st. louie
Joplin, missouri
And oklahoma city looks mighty pretty
Now you'll see amarillo
Gallup, new mexico
Flagstaff arizona
Don't forget winona
Kingman, barstow, san bernadino

Won't you get hip to this timely tip
When you make that california trip
Get your kicks on route 66

Get your kicks on route six six
Get your kicks on route 66
Get your kicks on route six six

Whoo whoo ------


12.Spice Of Life

Down on the corner there's a reason to smile
When those evenin' shadows fall
Some kinda feelin' that it's hard to deny
Once the neon lights start to call
People out there searchin' for action
Daytime distraction slippin' right on by

Tonight, let's taste the spice of life
Keep it sweet until the mornin' light
Watch fantasy unfold
And let the lovin' flow

Caught in the madness of a summer romance
At a moonlight rendezvous
Lost in the spirit of a sensual dance
That can cast a spell over you
All you need's a night to remember
Flyin' together on the highest high

Tonight, let's taste the spice of life
A little music and some candlelight
Put passion in control
And let the lovin' flow

Could be the start of a million dreams we share
So lay back in the feelin' let the evenin' take you there

All we need is a night to remember
Flyin' together on the highest high

Tonight, let's taste the spice of life
A little music and some candlelight
Put passion in control
And let the lovin' flow
All night we'll taste the spice of life
Keep it sweet until the mornin' light
Watch fantasy unfold
That's the only way to go


13.This Independence

The light is bending early
Around the prodigal
The gunner whispers gently
His shadow on the wall
The crowd is bursting from me
A single animal
It finds its freedom early
They're going to take it all

This independence
We are the metal shell
10,000 bodies
Run from an empty well
All of your lovers
Are heroes in my bed
All night the echoes
Of breathing heads

A falling body near me
A silent angry cry
A miracle of purpose
Looks up into the sky
A camera crew is running
The world is shrinking fast
Tonight you drink your coffee
And watch the world aghast

This independence
We are the metal shell
10,000 bodies
Run from an empty well
All of your lovers
Are heroes in my bed
All night the echoes
Of breathing heads

A camera crew is running
The world is shrinking fast
Tonight you drink your coffee
And watch the world aghast

This independence
We are the metal shell
10,000 bodies
Run from an empty well
All of your lovers
Are heroes in my bed
All night the echoes
Of breathing heads

This independence
We are the metal shell
10,000 bodies
Run from an empty well
All of your lovers
Are heroes in my bed
All night the echoes
Of breathing heads


14.Trickle Trickle

Chorus:
Trickle, trickle, splash, splash
Tell me how long will this rain last
The rain keeps droppin', there ain't no stoppin',
Tell me how long will this rain last

Trickle, trickle, slop, slop
Just got to see my sweet gum drop
She's there waitin' and i'm hesitatin'
Tell me just when this rain will stop

Ronnie, dig my clothes here boy,
One button row
Well, you know i'm sharp, as a tack,
Say can you lend me your cadillac
Gotta go, gotta go to a party - yeah
Please lend me your show
Well if i can't take it,
You know i can't make it,
I won't see my baby no more.

Chorus

Ronnie, she's sweet, she's fine yeh boy,
And i love her so.
Well if i don't make the party,
Man - she sure to blow.
Gotta go, gotta go to the party - yeh,
Please lend me your show,
Well if i can't take it, you know i can't make it,
I won't see my baby no more.

Chorus
Trickle, trickle, slop, slop
Just got to see my sweet gum drop
She's there waitin' and i'm hesitatin'
Tell me how long will this rain last
Tell me how long will it last


15.Tuxedo Junction

Boop bop, boop bop
Boop bop, boop bop
Boop bop, boop bop
Boop bop, boop bop

Way down south, in birmingham
I mean south, in alabam'
There's a place
Where people go to dance the night away

It's a junction
Where the town folk meet
At each function in their best they'll greet you

Sax solo

Scat solo

Way down south, in birmingham
I mean south, in alabam'
That old place

Boop bop, boop bop
Boop bop, boop bop
Boop bop, boop bop
Boop bop, boop bop

Way down south, in birmingham
I mean south, in alabam'
'ans old place
Where people go to dance the night away
They all drive or walk for miles
To get blues - that southern style,
So blue - it'll make you want to dance the night away
Tuxedo junction - where i want to be


16.Twilight Tone

When i hear this melody
This strange illusion takes over me
Through a tunnel of the mind
Perhaps a present or future time oh, oh
Out of nowhere comes this sound
This melody that keeps spinning 'round & 'round
Pyramidal locomotion
From a mystic unknown zone

Hearin' the twilight
Hearin' the twilight tone

Unpretentious girl from memphis
Saw the future through her third eye
People came with skepticism
Picking, testing her precision, no, wo, oh, oh
Suddenly they heard this sound
This melody that keeps spinning 'round & 'round
A signpost up ahead is calling
Through the mystic unknown zone

Hearin' the twilight
Twilight swept away, feelin' the rhythm
Hearin' the twilight
Twilight swept away, ba da, loo da, ba da loo da
Hearin' the twilight
Twilight tone

Submitted for your approval. one mr. miller, who's about
To take a trip into oddness and obsolescene, through a
Zone whose boundaries are that of imagination.
Accompanying him on this journey is the mesmerizing
Sound of the twilight tone.

On a cold & rainy night
One mister miller had a rare flight
Glen was up there boppin' a rhythm
Then the engine stopped to listen with him
Play that beat, oh, oh
Suddenly he heard this sound
This melody that keeps spinning 'round & 'round
Now he resides and plays trombone
In the mystic unknown zone

Hearin' the twilight
(ooooooh, twilight)
Hearin' the twilight
(hearin' the twilight)