The Standard

Additional The Standard Information

The Standard features guest appearances by veteran jazzmen George Benson, Al Jarreau, Jon Hendricks, Roy Hargrove, Till Brönner and others, as well as R&B luminaries Aaron Neville and Brian McKnight (Claude's brother).

Take 6 gives definitive vocal treatments to such jazz classics as "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Straighten Up and Fly Right" with vocalist/guitarist George Benson, "Someone to Watch Over Me" with trumpeter Roy Hargrove, and "Seven Steps to Heaven" with Jon Hendricks, Al Jarreau and German flugelhornist Till Brönner (featuring new lyrics by Jon Hendricks). The Standard's crowning glory is a version of "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," Ella Fitzgerald's signature song - created in the studio using her original vocal from the classic 1938 Decca Records 78.

Other highlights include "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans" with Aaron Neville, Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" with Brian McKnight, Quincy Jones' "Grace" and "Windmills of Your Mind" (from the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair).

What Customers Say About The Standard:

I love Take 6. If not, as long as you like acapella, jazzy, gospel music that pops you will love it as well. This cd is awesome. If you are a Take 6 fan you should definitely get this cd. Even though it is acapella and jazzy most of the songs on it you could move to if you want. There are some mellow songs as well.

I saw Take 6 in concert with our local State Symphony in December. The live concert was far better than the new CD. A little disappointing.

Take 6's The Standard once again proves the axiom you can take any standard tune, and with expert, inspired arrangement and performance create something spectacular and fresh. If you're a "chord lover," Take 6 is your band. Melody is a stack of lumber: you can build out of it a shack or amass more and build a palace. So many times have I read title listings on a CD of old standards with an prejudiced sigh, but find that if they're masterfully, courageously overhauled, experience musical euphoria. Without breaking down a review of each tune, The Standard is, to me, is "palatial," and satisfies my repeat-listening appetite for dense harmonies and hairpin rhythms. An instant favorite.

I love this CD. It is one of my favorites. The dynamics of the voices are incredible. This CD is a real treat.

Take 6, the jazz-gospel sextet with the airy harmonic sound, has come up with their soulful take on the jazz classics that could sure to make even Renee Olstead blush. "The Standard" contains such classics as "Sweet Georgia Brown", "The Windmills Of Your Mind", and even a soulful take on the Gershwin classic "Someone To Watch Over Me". Their airy harmonies give new insight to these standards, while maintaining their soulful bent. Indeed, this is one of the best albums Take 6 has released in recent years.