Customer Reviews

Blues & The Beat

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The title of this review just about says it all, to me. This was one of Hank's best efforts in the jazz field, along with the "Combo" and "Uniquely Mancini" albums.

The dynamics and imagination of the arrangements are superb on this "The Blues and The Beat" album. I have both the LP and the CD. My favorite track on the album is "Mood Indigo" but there are others that I like almost equally well.

There was no one like Mancini and never will be again. Don't pass this album up if you want to truly enjoy a great album by Hank.

I got this LP album at the PX in Vienam in 1963 and have enjoyed it over and over during the years since. It never tires; is always fresh. After hundreds of playings, the fidelity is somewhat lessened, so I wanted to begin afresh with a CD to hear the original great sound. The musicianship is superb, and the arrangements typical Mancini.

There is not a selection included that is not fresh and exciting. I have the original LP also a remake of the original. Wanted to own the CD so it could be listened to on the PC system. The Beat and Tippin In are my personel favorites. This approach to rhythm and swing `is where Mancini belonged but he had to cater to more of the commercial stuff...Great music ...Great man

I owned this album in 1963 and played the grooves off it. It was my favorite "soother" at the end of a hectic day...lots of low and lush brass, slow and rich harmonies...perfect for romance or just "unwinding". I'm delighted to find this CD is still available so I can enjoy it anew!

the music on this album is fantastic-after all it's from America's best composer!- but be extremely careful of buying so-called "remastered" copy from bmg/spain! it is truly crappy! sonics are rotten and whole album sounds like bootleg project; spend a few more bucks and get JVC version from Japan: That is spectacular!

I used to check this record out from the Grand Rapids Public Library when I was a kid (I was an obsessive Mancini fan -- see my review of "Combo!" elsewhere on these pages)... but in those days I wouldn't sit still for the "slow" pieces. Consequently I only played the "Beat" side, and loved it. Since I never owned it myself, I never played it once I left GR and it became unavailable in the record stores. Imagine my shock and delight when I found it on CD and really LISTENED to the "Blues" half for virtually the first time in 35 years. Wait until you hear the opening cut, with its dark bass flutes (a Mancini specialty), the amazing lower-register piano solo by John Williams, and the ferocious brass section that roars in (Mister Easy Listening, indeed! ). Then Mancini's gorgeous French horns flow into "Mood Indigo" and "Misty"... let's put it this way -- as much as I love the "beat" half to this day (especially the finale, "Sing Sing Sing"), I know now how much I missed the boat by skipping over "the blues." A great album, and essential Mancini.

Truly that one started when he begin experiemented two different styles of music into 1 album, 2 sides based off the LP and cassette set. It's like listening to the Miles Davis and Gil Evans collaborations, Duke Ellington's ELLINGTON UPTOWN, NEWPORT '56, BLACK, BROWN AND BEIGE, JAZZ PARTY, ANATOMY OF A MURDER, etc., Quincy Jones' THIS IS HOW I FEEL ABOUT JAZZ, Q LIVE IN PARIS 1960, QUINTESSANCE, TALKIN' VERVE, WALKING IN SPACE, Ray Charles' GENIUS + SOUL = JAZZ, among others.

The 1st side "The Blues" where he does the same title off track 1 and does the rest from tracks 2 thru 6. Isn't that incredible. Now on the 2nd side "The Beat" begins being more effective, more up-beat, kinda strong a real jazzy feel w/ much swing and beat to it. I luv every one of 'em on this album. Both the Blues and the Beat.

If u ever listen to previous Mancini albums like MR. LUCKY, MR. LUCKY GOES LATIN, BEST OF MANCINI, COMBO, UNIQUELY MANCINI, MANCINI '67, THE PETER GUNN SEQUEL (both MUSIC and MORE MUSIC), etc., u'll notice the difference. Is it unbelieve that he has a 21, 22-piece big band (e.g. 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 5 reeds doubling on sax, flute, piccolo, clarinet, maybe even bass clarinet or both, 4 French horns, and a 5-piece rhythm section incl. one guitar player, one bass, one person doubling on vibes and marimba, one piano and especially the drums which ppl call "the skin" or the killer or the baddest instrument in jazz) lead by the conductor and arranger, Mr. Henry Mancini. He's such a Genius. I luv him 2 death. I recently purchased his memoir DID THEY MENTION THE MUSIC? for $3.90 discount which is cheap when I read, I'll feel impressed about it. Long story short, Asides leading the big bands, orchestras and stuff, he's also a talented piano player. You should check out A WARM SHADE OF IVORY which I have on LP and it's pretty amazing. I may do a review of that also which I rate 4 to 4.5 stars.

Ok wonderful album and mostly a must-have for all Mancini fans and especially jazz, pop, classical, rock and Mancini beginners alike. Old or new.

Henry has been gone from us for over a decade, but the musical legacy he left behind is still staggering! Being a BIG BAND guy, I have had the LP since it came out...even have it SIGNED by
Hank at the Garden State Arts Center in the mid 80's. The musicians used by the Maestro throughout his career were the best Hollywood had to offer, many comming from the Les Brown band
of that period. I pefer the BEAT selections...when you hear it you will understand. If you have a top flight music system, let
'er rip....FIVE STARS FOREVER !

Just checking in to urge you to listen to John Williams, when he was "Johnny Williams"- Hank Mancini and John Williams wrote some great music for TV and Film (massive understatement). Fun to hear them playing some other folks work.
I love this album!
n.b. JW's contribution is strictly as a 'side-man' on this album - It's Henry Mancini's show. Fun to hear JW's tasty licks, though

When you think of the blues you don't think of Henry Mancini.

However, one of the best tunes on this album - C Jam Blues - is called a blues.

With Mancini, it's the blues in name only. He is about happiness and fun much more than blues.

And the power of the big band. Remember, he's the guy who brought big band backup to the "jazz combo" scene of the late 1950s in "Peter Gunn." And here, in this great album, you see him bring that same aura to some standards.

It's a great album, although it's a stretch to say that it is one of his all-time best.