LIVE: Manhattan Transfer @ The Egg, 9/25/09

You can read my review of Manhattan Transfer’s performance at The Egg on Friday evening in the Times Union.

Here are some additional observations:

Group leader Tim Hauser – an East Greenbush native – has a favorite spot that he visits whenever he gets to play a homecoming show. “Whenever I’m in Albany, there’s one place I always go – Jack’s,” Hauser told the crowd. “I was there today for lunch,” he added – oysters and clams.

Manhattan Transfer performed three songs – “One Step Closer,” “Time’s Lie” and “Spain” – from their upcoming album, “The Chick Corea Songbook,” which is slated for release on Tuesday, September 29. It’s the group’s first studio album in five years and their first release on the independent Four Quarters records label.

The lyrics for Chick Corea’s “One Step Closer” were co-written by Tim Hauser and Van Dyke Parks.

Surprisingly enough, the group didn’t perform a single selection from what is inarguably their finest album, 1985’s “Vocalese.”

Bassist Gary Wicks – an Albany native – is not only an excellent musician, but also a first-rate photographer. He shares a photo website with his brother, Michael Wicks.

MANHATTAN TRANSFER SETLIST
You Can Depend on Me
Doodlin’
Route 66
One Step Closer (The One Step)
A-Tisket, A-Tasket
It’s Good Enough to Keep (Air Mail Special)
You Taught My Heart to Sing (Cheryl solo)
She’s Funny That Way (Tim solo)
Hear the Voices (Bahia de Todas as Contes)
Soul Food to Go (Sina)
Time’s Lie
The New Juju Man (Tutu)
Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Alan solo)
Jeepers Creepers (Janis solo)
That’s the Way It Goes
Groovin’
Spain (I Can Recall)
Birdland
ENCORES
Gloria
Java Jive