Artists
Musicians featured in this piece are:
Cheryl Bentyne – vocals, Benny Bailey solo
Tim Hauser – vocals
Alan Paul – vocals
Janis Siegel – vocals
Bobby McFerrin – guest vocalist, bass, percussion
Jon Hendricks – guest vocalist, Charlie Parker’s alto break/solo
Music by Frank Paparelli & Dizzy Gillespie, lyrics by Jon Hendricks. Produced by Tim Hauser, vocal arrangement by Cheryl Bentyne & Bobby McFerrin. Released as the sixth track on Vocalese (Atlantic Records, 1985).
“Another Night in Tunisia” is a vocalese setting of Dizzy Gillespie’s 1942 bebop standard “A Night in Tunisia,” with Jon Hendricks‘ lyrics turning the tune’s instrumental lines into sung words — a technique Hendricks pioneered and that gives the whole Vocalese album its name and concept.
The Manhattan Transfer – Another Night in Tunisia Lyrics
Livin’ in the middle ‘n relaxin’ while y’ loosen only a little
Means y’gotta figure out a way y’oughtta’ go
‘N steady movin’ on ahead’re anywhere y’kharma led’n
With a fascinatin’ desert f’y’bed
How very exciting
Such a lush, poetic sight full o’lots o’lovely desert
And a rare, exotic mystery at night
How y’gonna beat it f’r a magic delight
Thrill to the chant of the Muezzin
Callin’ all t’pray aroun’ the closin’ o’the day
Becomes a regular occurrence
Git offa’ the camel’s back
Put you a tent up, lay you a mat down
Ready t’dream o’what’cha lack
Meanwhile, y’quietly sleepin’ soun’ly
To listen to other songs from the Teleskop 15 program and the full program, click here.