Can anyone identify who this bassist is in this video? In case you haven't already seen this, it's possibly the cheesiest and guiltiest pleasure of mine. The bass playing is phenomenal, especially the part around the 1:00 mark.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I've done a little bit of researching and I think it's Alex Blake, but I'm only about 50% sure
Would love to know for sure
Would love to know for sure
Anyone else think that the male singer in the blue suit is a dead ringer for Steve Balmer -- ex-CEO of Microsoft?
Based on the year that would make sense, Blake was their bass player and MD from like 1983-88. But poor guy gets zero camera time in that video so I can't say for sure!
I knew it was going to be that video when I clicked the thread! I always thought the musicians were really rocking the performance but the singers make the whole thing a corny joke. Sad to see one of my favourite Weather Report tunes being reduced to farce.
Well...I will be the voice of dissent (I guess). 
I love The Manhatten Transfer.
Yes, I bought Extensions back when it was released to hear their vocal version of "Birdland".
"Shaker Song" is on the same album...it was on Spyro Gyra's debut.
The backing band on their albums are the cream of that era's sessioneers.
I love The Manhatten Transfer.
Yes, I bought Extensions back when it was released to hear their vocal version of "Birdland".
"Shaker Song" is on the same album...it was on Spyro Gyra's debut.
The backing band on their albums are the cream of that era's sessioneers.
MT could sing their butts off and always had top shelf backing musicians. Pretty far from a "corny joke". The vocals do a hell of a job covering Weather Report's melody and harmony. If they're too "shmaltzy" for you, well, that's ok. They are in show business.
Whoever is playing is doing an excellent job.
While I usually prefer LA Voices, IMO this is excellent.
For fun sometime find the Weather Report version on YouTube and read the comments from those who are seriously peeved at the inferior instrumental cover of this Manhattan Transfer original by a band that can't even afford a real singer.
While I usually prefer LA Voices, IMO this is excellent.
For fun sometime find the Weather Report version on YouTube and read the comments from those who are seriously peeved at the inferior instrumental cover of this Manhattan Transfer original by a band that can't even afford a real singer.
That's a fantastic version, great singers. i prefer it to the 8:30 version.... Especially the vocal version of Zawinul's high synth lines at the end.
There's a reason Weather Report and Zawinul worked with them.
Cheers
There's a reason Weather Report and Zawinul worked with them.
Cheers
Alex Blake is one of my early influences. This whole Lenny White album is great but I particularly liked this song from it. Alex plays on the whole album. I like how the overall sound on this release including Alex's playing has a heavy Hendrix influence. 
Last edited:
Meanwhile, they're one of the most successful jazz singing groups of all time. Which just goes to show you that nobody should ever listen to musicians
