He got his boogie down.

February 12, 2017 6:59 PM

Singer Al Jarreau has died at 76. CNN has this remembrance. Time magazine once called him "the greatest living Jazz singer."

Get My Boogie Down

After All

We're In This Love Together

Mornin

and of course,

The Theme from Moonlighting

posted by 4ster (43 comments total)

Grammys in three different categories. A voice that lived across decades. He's been in my life longer than I've known his name.

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posted by hippybear at 7:16 PM on February 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

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posted by condour75 at 7:18 PM on February 12, 2017

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posted by spbmp at 7:26 PM on February 12, 2017

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posted by Fibognocchi at 7:31 PM on February 12, 2017

"Mornin" holds the distinction of being the most quietly uplifting song ever written. Jarreau had a warm, beautiful voice and, though I now realize I"ve only known him through his music, always impressed me as a warm human being. We are all poorer for this loss.
posted by Joey Michaels at 7:36 PM on February 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

Beautiful voice on that man.

I had forgotten about the Mornin video. That's a lot like what walking throuh downtown on my first edibles felt like. Feeling fine.


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posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 7:41 PM on February 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

So Good .
posted by Lorin at 7:44 PM on February 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Take Five - live in a show in Germany in 1976 -- and absolutely amazing. A real loss to the jazz world.
posted by madamjujujive at 7:47 PM on February 12, 2017 [14 favorites]

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posted by get off of my cloud at 7:48 PM on February 12, 2017

He could do some amazing things with his voice.

RIP, Al.
posted by jonmc at 7:52 PM on February 12, 2017

Holy crap that Take Five is stunning!
posted by hippybear at 7:54 PM on February 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

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posted by valkane at 8:00 PM on February 12, 2017

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posted by Soulfather at 8:02 PM on February 12, 2017

The Moonlighting soundtrack was among the first CDs I ever had, I listened to it all the time.

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posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 8:02 PM on February 12, 2017

Did you say The Jazz Singer?
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posted by dannyboybell at 8:11 PM on February 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by saulgoodman at 8:22 PM on February 12, 2017

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posted by oceanjesse at 8:27 PM on February 12, 2017

For the Dutchies: Jarreau's best known song here was apparently only a hit in the NL.
posted by jouke at 8:35 PM on February 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

Wow, Roof Garden! Takes me right back to my very awkward puberty and appreciating music that my peers did not. Thanks, jouke. It was a hit with me.

RIP Mr Jarreau.
posted by Mickiann at 9:49 PM on February 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Personally, I was always partial to his take on Blue Rondo à la Turk. A great example of vocalese.

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posted by ZeusHumms at 10:30 PM on February 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

May you always have somebody to depend on
And may your days be celebrations
And may there always be an angel on your shoulder
To help the awkward situations
posted by MrBadExample at 10:50 PM on February 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

"Mornin" holds the distinction of being the most quietly uplifting song ever written.

I love Mornin but I always thought it took a rather darker tone whenever he sings 'Everything's fine, in my mind' as if he was in deep denial about something.
posted by PenDevil at 10:55 PM on February 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

"Mornin" holds the distinction of being the most quietly uplifting song ever written.

What I like about it is that it's a nice, friendly, unassuming song, and then he sings that lead-in to the bridge and suddenly his voice is just going for it. Just an unbelievably smooth voice with so much range.
posted by azpenguin at 11:19 PM on February 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

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posted by greermahoney at 11:45 PM on February 12, 2017

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posted by El Brendano at 2:32 AM on February 13, 2017

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posted by DigDoug at 4:27 AM on February 13, 2017

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posted by oheso at 5:09 AM on February 13, 2017

♪
posted by Gelatin at 5:11 AM on February 13, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by filtergik at 5:13 AM on February 13, 2017

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posted by drezdn at 5:56 AM on February 13, 2017

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posted by mondo dentro at 6:07 AM on February 13, 2017

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posted by eclectist at 7:23 AM on February 13, 2017

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posted by Cash4Lead at 7:27 AM on February 13, 2017

Saw him live in the late 70s, he was just plain amazing.

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posted by tommasz at 7:54 AM on February 13, 2017

I still have my "Breakin Away" CD and still consider it one of the most breezy, satisfying pop/R&B/jazz albums ever.
posted by DrAstroZoom at 8:11 AM on February 13, 2017

What. a. VOICE. Easily one of the greatest scatters of all time. It's hard not to smile and just let your jaw drop from the sheer artistry and technique. Here's his Spain--which despite being covered by everyone and their dog, Al and his band blow out of the water.
posted by smirkette at 10:22 AM on February 13, 2017 [1 favorite]

Aw, man. Such a great singer.

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posted by droplet at 11:57 AM on February 13, 2017

4ster: "Mornin' "

Mournin'
posted by chavenet at 12:50 PM on February 13, 2017 [1 favorite]

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posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 4:17 PM on February 13, 2017

I can't help thinking that that rendition of Take Five owes something to his grad work in vocal rehabilitation at the U of Iowa.
posted by Caxton1476 at 6:43 PM on February 13, 2017

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posted by Bigbrowncow at 9:39 PM on February 13, 2017

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Miles Davis evidently rated Mr Jarreau, too.
posted by On the Corner at 2:19 AM on February 14, 2017

Great singer.

RIP.
posted by Pouteria at 7:52 AM on February 14, 2017