Barry Manilow, Bette Midler

On A Slow Boat To China

Transcribed from her album 'Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook', this version was performed as a duet between Ms Midler and Barry Manilow (who also played the Piano on the track), and it really bounces along. Our chart here is true to this version, except that we have scored the string lines into the saxes (with Alto 1 doubling Clarinet). The chart is perfectly singable by just a solo vocalist too. The Piano part is written out in full, to help your band retain the original feel. The vocal key is D, modulating to Eb then E. Don't be put off by seeing the Eb instruments playing in 7 sharps. The notes fall easily under the players' fingers. Brass ranges are not demanding, and aside from Alto 1 on Clarinet there are no other sax doubles.