Tonic - Vintage Vocals
It Ain't Over Til The Fat Man Swings
tonicvocals.com
Tonic
Doug Boynton, Girlsingers.org
Vintage Vocals
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. 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.
Jim Santella, Cadence Magazine
Vintage Vocals
An eponymous album introduces a stellar vocal quartet
that swings with the easy gait of a bygone era and the pure, acoustic timber
of classic Jazz. Standards and original songs give the ensemble variety and
plenty to say. Jennifer Chada rides the top rail with a delicate facade atop
the quartet's four-part harmony, as their balanced blend gives the performance
a pleasant texture. Alto singer Karen Multer steps forward on "I've Got
a Crush on You" for a lovely feature that blends soothing harmonies with
her tener lyric delivery. Paul Langford's tenor voice gives "I've Got Reservations"
a gentle mood that merges a convincing delivery with his featured melody. The
quartet's salute to Cab Calloway, "Hepster's Jive," drums up the Big
Band era through its exciting portrayal and fun-loving drive. Steve Multer takes
the featured spot with his booming baritone voice and powerful rhythmic appeal.
The quartet's originals take us back, as well, to an era when Swing was the
thing and electronics had different applications than they do today. The quartet's
original tunes do bring us an updated message, however, and come with fresh
thoughts on the Swing thing. As both male singers tell about cholesteral limits
and calorie counting on "Fancy Feast," we can relate easily. "straight
for the Stars" points to Chcago's more romantic landmarks. While "Tonic"
closes the album with an intimate look at the nightlife that Jazz has espoused
for a century. Some things change while others, fortunately remain the same.
It Ain't Over Til The Fat Man Swings
It's a holiday album wrapped in Swing and decorated with pleasant, four-part
vocals. The program is designed to reflect upon the merriment that goes hand
in hand with our year-end holiday season. By closing the album with a lively
Fats Waller tune, they ensure that the mood extends into the New Year. Steve
Multer's feature on "Darn That Sock" spreads an appropriate message
through its original lyrics and its lush arrangement. Sterling trumpet fills
and a cohesive rhythm secion help him to put a glow on the moment. "Santa
Claus is Coming to Town" is presented wiht a Latin beat. Here, the vocal
quartet speaks the joy of Christmas casually with a hip demeanor. The title
track comes with a built in Swing that oozes with "cool," as the vocal
quartet brings u sa heartfelt wish for the holidays. Gentle ballads such as
"Christmas in Chicago" bring a personal message. This one features
Karen Multer in an arrangement that weaves all four voices in a playful parade.
Tonic Vintage Vocals offers a pleasant balance that brings consonance and
vibrant sonority to the Swing arena. Because they combine their musical accuracy
with heartfelt emotion, thier sessions can be enjoyed by a broad audience.
George Fendel, Jazzscene
Vintage Vocals, Tonic. Here's a group whose rich harmonies can give Manhattan
Transfer a run for their money. Vocal groups, once a staple in American music,
are rare nowadays, and Tonic has produced an album of nostalgic oldies and fresh
new material ranging from Lazy River to Smoke Rings; from I've Got A Crush On
You to Lemon Twist. The group shows its flair for writing as well, with a number
of polished originals. Put this all together with fiery big-band arrangements
and even some strings on the ballads and, well, you've got a quite an impressive
production. A pleasant tonic, indeed, for vocal jazz fans.
Adam Greenberg, AMG (All Music
Guide)
Vintage Vocals
Tonic Vintage Vocals has an interesting twist on the usual romanticism involved
in producing old-styled harmonic jazz singing. They write new ones. The bulk
though are original compositions, running from a hopped-up version of swing
in the vein of the modern swing era (Squirrel Nut Zippers, etc), to a vastly
more subdued form, often even in solo slinks. Singers from a period piece on
the classic radio era perhaps. Their four part harmonies are of course impeccable,
and shine clearly.
Dave Howell, Rambles.net
In swing you have to
have the look, but Tonic delivers the goods as well. The cover of their first
CD shows them perfectly attired in 1930s/'40s-style in a black-and-white photo,
while the typeface is a deco-style pastel. But
this vocal quartet does more than just cover swing/lounge material. Their nine-piece
backing band and a few guest musicians expertly play original swing orchestra
arrangements, instead of imitating the usual Louis Jordan-style combo. They
avoid obvious covers, opting instead for less commonly done numbers like Johnny
Mercer and Jimmy VanHeusen's "I Thought About You" and Hoagy Carmichael's
"Lazy River." Best
of all, the originals written by members of the quartet stand equally with the
covers, instead of being thinly veiled rip-offs of old swing tunes. An example
is "I've Got Reservations," with the title being a play on words,
and sophisticated lyrics that include: "Deciding on a pair of pants/May
take a momentary glance/Conforming to a job's cup of tea/Comitting may be fitting/For
a zombie in a trance/But choosing where to aim the heart's/Implausible as modern
art." "Hepster's
Jive" is derivative, but admittedly so, as a tribute to Cab Calloway. "Sammy
Slick" is a wonderful takeoff on the private eye genre, with a spoken tough-guy
introduction and a complete mystery story in one song. Tonic
describe itself as "Manhattan Transfer meets the Rat Pack ... with a little
Louis Prima thrown in." With two male and two female vocalists, comparisions
to Manhattan Transfer seem inevitable. But Tonic has only existed since 2003
and this is their first CD, so there is no telling if they will become as eclectic
as the Transfer, which has been around for over three decades. Their
harmonies are as good as they come. On solos the men (Paul Langford and Steve
Multer) do not quite reach the level of the women (Karen Multer and Jennifer
Chada). But the men choose their material, often humorous, that do not require
as much vocal expertise. You
may remember the short-lived swing revival, led by groups like the Cherry Poppin'
Daddies and the Brian Setzer Orchestra. The movement featured excellent unsung
bands (Bellevue Cadillac, for example), and many younger people who seemed more
interested in their clothes than in their music. The
quartet and band of Tonic are obviously seasoned musicians. They may not bring
back the style of swing on their own, but this group from Chicago (a town they
expertly pay tribute to in their song "Straight for the Stars (via Lake
Shore Drive)" should at least be far more successful than the Cubs.
All Music Guide, Scott
Yanow
It Ain't Over Til the Fat Man Swings Review
4 Stars
Tonic, a likable swing-based vocal quartet, performs
Christmas songs on this CD. What is unusual is that about half the material
was freshly written (usually by Steve and Karen Multer), including such fine
numbers as "At Christmas Time," "Darn That Sock," and the
rollicking title cut. Also new are some of the stanzas of Fats Waller's "The
Joint Is Jumpin'," which is transformed into a Christmas-flavored number.
There are occasional spots for the horns and vocal solos, but it is the highly
appealing sound of the vocal ensembles and the cheerful material that should
make this a Yuletide favorite.
Upstage Magazine
It Ain't Over Til the Fat Man Swings Review
TONIC Vintage Vocals, Chicago's premiere vintage vocal jazz quartet, have released
their second CD "It Ain't Over 'Til the Fat Man Swings". The highly
anticipated new album is a Christmas swingfest dedicated to the Jolly Old Elf
himself. "It Ain't Over 'Til the Fat Man Swings" is 12 swank cuts
of hip holiday fun. Solid 4-part jazz vocals blend a new brand of yuletide cheer
on snazzy arrangements of popular classic favorites (Up On the Housetop, Jolly
Old St. Nicholas, Here Comes Santa Claus) and spankin' original Santa sounds.
Marshall Bowden, Jazzitude
Vintage Vocals & It Ain't Over Til the Fat Man Swings Review
Releasing a self-titled CD at the beginning of 2005 that demonstrated both their
performing and writing abilities. Now they’ve released one stylish Christmas
CD, It Ain’t Over ‘Til the Fat Man Swings that will be a welcome addition
to the holiday collections of anyone who likes the kind of vintage vocals performed
by groups like the Manhattan Transfer and the swinging big band shenanigans
of the Rat Pack and Louis Prima.
The dozen tracks on It Ain’t Over ‘Til the Fat Man Swings pass a little too quickly at around 40 minutes, but on the other hand, the brief running time ensures that the group doesn’t overstay its welcome. The opener, “The Holiday Season” is a stylish, and seldom heard number written by Kay Thompson, contributor to scores for such musicals as The Harvey Girls and The Ziegfeld Follies and creator the Eloise series of children’s books. Tonic’s harmonies are tight and crystal-clear, and the band, a rhythm combo supplemented by two woodwinds and two trumpets, helps the group achieve a swinging satori. They don’t let up a bit with “Jolly Old St. Nicholas,” but when it comes to Gene Autry’s “Here Comes Santa Claus” they unexpectedly turn contemplative, performing the song as a gentle ballad that reminds one of light snow placidly falling, illuminated by a single streetlamp. Simply gorgeous.
The group offers some of their own tunes as well, and these are nice changes of pace, breaking up the more familiar tunes. The title track is stylish and the lyrics, by group members Steve and Karen Multer, are clever without being cloying. “At Christmas Time” strikes the right mood as well, reminding us that “You will understand/life is grand at Christmas time.” The romantic “Darn that Sock” is an unusual holiday song that celebrates relationships that begin during the holiday season. And there’s the lovely “Christmas In Chicago” that anyone who has ever spent time in the city during the holidays will love. In fact, I’d highly recommend the track for anyone who is homesick for the Windy City at holiday time.
The group concludes with the oh-so hip Fats Waller/Andy
Razaf “The Joint Is Jumpin’” with new lyrics added by Steve Multe
r, which is sure to get even the Scroogiest listener into the holiday mood.
As the group says in their liner notes: “We’re grateful to Bing, Mel,
Ella, Irving, Dean, Frank, Sarah, Andy, Judy, Rosemary, Danny, Burl, Jule, Sammy,
Perry, Gene, and every singer and writer who created the soundtrack of Christmas.
They gave us a lifetime of music to share while waiting for Santa to deliver
the goods. To those names, add that of Tonic, a vintage vocal group that makes
the holidays a real pleasure with this CD.
John Gilbert, Ejazznews
Vintage Vocals Review
5 Stars
Steve, Karen, Jennifer and Paul bring classy harmonics, a lot of great tunes
plus some hip vocalizations and a backup band to augment their many faceted
talents Karen sings the verse to "I've
Got a Crush On You" and she gets it all with a sweet interpretation of
this glorious melody. The sax solo is both soulful and filled with ideas. This
is a state of the art version of a time tested tune. Steve's
vocal tribute to Cab Calloway in "Hepster's Jive" is a rapid fire
excursion into the land of oo bla dee..Some call and answer segments swing magically...
Another gem. "Sammy Slick" is
a chanson noir cleverly done with a solid sending group effort. This
album is as hip as it gets with hints of the Manhattan Transfer but with a bit
more muscle in the vocals and arrangements. If you like swing then cop this
disc, it will bring smiles and some toe tapping joy, and that is no jive
Aaron Fensterheim, My Kind
of Jazz
Vintage Vocals & It Ain't Over Til the Fat Man Swings Review
I have long been a fan of group Jazz vocal groups going to the Hi~lo's, LHR,
The Mel~Tones, Original 4 Freshmen, Singers Unlimited, and LA Voices. As of
late the newer groups also impressed, that being The Real Group, Jazzed To The
Max, and Vox just to mention a few. One group that has disappointed me has been
the Manhattan Transfer. I feel that they have gotten away from their original
intent and that was to vocalize Jazz. Along comes a group by the name of "Tonic"
and they certainly are.
They are doing all the things taht Manhattan Transfer should still be doing.
Make sure to check out their Xmas cd "It Ain't over 'til The Fat Man Swings".
Xmas never sounded so good. Step aside Manhattan Transfer, "Tonic has arrived.
Dan McClenaghan, All About
Jazz
It Ain't Over Til The Fat Man Swings Review
These are some snazzy sounds, and given this is Christmas music, the “fat
man” in the title would be, of course, Santa Claus. At
the risk of sounding Scrooge-ish, you have to pick your holiday sounds carefully
in order to avoid the sap factor. The members of Tonic—a group comprised
of vocalists Steve and Karen Multer, Paul Langford, and Jennifer Chada—have
no sap in their systems. What they do have is some serious swing, crystalline
four-part harmony, and a stylish and jazzy way of going after these holiday
songs. Some are time-tested standards like Gene Autry's ”Here Comes Santa
Claus” and the ever-familiar “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”;
some very strong originals come from the pens of Tonic-mates Steve and Karen
Multer—the snappy title tune (and dig that Jim Gailloreto sax solo) and
“At Christmas Time,” a poignant ballad.The
sound is very much in the mode of the late thirties and forties vocal groups—smoothly-polished
harmonies, with an attitude manifested by fedoras and double breasted jackets,
or white dinner jackets and bow ties, for the men (maybe a hip flask stashed
in an inside pocket); and evening gowns and above-the-elbow gloves for the ladies.A
fresh and interesting kind of swing for the holidays.
Karl Stober, Jazzreview
Vintage Vocals Review
Take the A-Train to those thrilling days of yesteryear when music warranted
respect and the artists were craft driven rather than economically. It was an
innocent time with not so innocent side roads, but one thing was blatantly clear,
the entertainment value was serious business…From the lyrics to performance,
the 40's and 50's set the foundation for entertainment and with bands like the
Manhattan Transfer. The tunes and times of an era forgotten were brought back
from the vaults of our memory, now welcome Tonic with their new release Vintage
Vocals, a 2005 ball of fire set forth by SKM Creative Inc. This offering is
pure rollercoaster thrills, a very cool audio ride!
Paul Langford, Karen Multer, Jennifer Chada, and Steve Multer in combination
drive the songs of the past in all directions with a harmonizing technique that
just is so smooth. This is not your typical "snake oil" production.
Vintage Vocals is just the Tonic to bring your blood to fever levels…Pay
close attention to the vocal arrangements by Karen Multer and Paul Langford,
very precise and upfront in their effort to entertain with quality. Along with
Gershwin, Mercer, and Carmichael classics, the unique factor that separates
this recording from other similar attempts is that Tonic delivers originals
in that vintage style. Tonic dares with success to tackle the style once adorning
every lounge and ballroom under the lights and dim-lit alleys. Crisp lyrics
as in "Smoke Rings" and hot rich arrangements as in "Hepster's
Jive" allow the listener to very easily associate Tonic with the classics…With
vintage Mickey Spillane mystery overtones, "Sammy Slick" is a blistering
piece of composition splendor. With a Silvertone-esque radio broadcast climate
the spoken intro is daring and gutsy however works so well with the arrangement.
Ms. Chada puts forth an emotional ballad in her effort on "Cloudy Memories"
as the lyrics clearly take one on that common search for true love with a very
uncommon vocal style. That style along with the musical arrangement makes this
one heavy over-spun cut on the disc. Tonic is just the medicine for all those
jazz fanatics who search for the style once adorning every marquee. I recommend
the spin highly and anticipate a new journey very soon from these four refreshing
entertainers. Keep-em tuned!
Nicholas Sheffo, Fulvue
Drive In
Vintage Vocals & It Ain't Over Til the Fat Man Swings Review
Tonic is a quartet of singers
who do rich Jazz vocals and even a Capella singing in the mode of The Manhattan
Transfer, but the amazing thing about them is they still man age to distinguish
themselves from their famous counterparts. Their self-titled debut album is
a mix of original compositions with a few classics. The best thing members Paul
Langford, Karen Multer, Jennifer Chada and Steve Multer do when they sing is
not sound smart, smarmy, overly bright, overly happy, airheaded or idiotic like
so many retro acts from any era do when they recreate art from the past.I’ve
Got A Crush On You and I Thought About You more than demonstrate this. This
is a vocal group that could make a serious breakout at any time, so it is worth
your time to catch them