Customer Reviews

Chase the Clouds Away

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I became a fan of Chuck Mangione back in the 1970s when he was doing his best work. He issued an incredible string of great albums up to and including "Children of Sanchez", after which he seemed to lose the magic touch that gave jazz fans heart in that disco-ridden decade. In my opinion, two albums stand out as his best: Main Squeeze and Chase the Clouds Away. I was delighted to find this on CD. Every cut is a gem, from the stirring Song of the New Moon to the Esther Satterfield vocal on Soft. My own favorite is the title cut, a relaxing work of rare beauty that will surely chase your clouds away and give the day a new meaning. The only negative is that the album is way too short.

This album was the first in a succession of top quality albums released by Mangione between 1975 and 1980. The others were "Bellavia", "Main Squeeze", "Feels So Good", and "Fun and Games". The 1978 "Children of Sanchez" didn't measure up to the quality of his other albums. "Chase the Clouds Away" doesn't have a subpar track and shows the creative genious in Mangione that would further develop in subsequent albums. The title track was nominated in 1975 for a Grammy for Best Instrumental, but lost to the disco tune "The Hustle". To this day, Mangione wears that as a badge of honor.

I was introduced to Chuck Mangione's music when he first came on the scene. I loved his music then and recently purchased "Chase the Clouds Away" on CD. I've been listening to it ever since and every time I hear the title tune (along with all the others) the music lifts me UP UP and AWAY. All I can say is it's the BEST!

Chuck Mangione is one of greatest jazz composers of his era. Chase The Clouds away is an excellent example of orchestrated jazz composition combined with the feel of authentic improvisation. Highly recommended to the jazz fan.

I purchased "Chase the Clouds Away" many, many years ago on cassette tape. I recently felt the need to revisit Chuck Mangione and purchased "Chase the Clouds Away" and "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" on compact disc. It is so reassuring that music I was listening to over 20 years ago still has the power to move me and I am so glad that I added this back into my musical collection. My two favorite songs on this c.d. are the title track and "Soft."

Why do i never see this in stores? It's one of his best. The band's in a very nice groove throughout, and being a relatively small group, as far as Mangione ensembles go, they're tight. Each song's initial melodic statement is followed by each musician's virtuosic expressive improvisation of the theme. Very 70's, and a real joy to listen to.

It is always amusing to me that jazz aficianado's have trouble compromising their taste when it comes to crossover music. Everyone can't be Louis, Clifford or Miles to name a few. Does that mean that the rest of the musical world should drop dead? I don't think so. Appreciation is in the "eye" of the listener. Mangione's group delivers and this album might just "Chase the Clouds Away"!

I listened to Chuck Mangione endlessly when I was in graduate school. Who'd have thought the fluglehorn could have such heart? Then I got married, then I got divorced and my ex stole all my LP's (all of them, not just Chuck), so I've been chasing a lot of lost music, not just Chuck. I'll never be able to replace the LP's, but at least I can replace the music. Listening to Chase the Clouds Away isn't just a musical treat. For me, it's a ticket back to the memories. I had a hecka fun in grad school.

This isn't my favorite Mangione, but frankly, it's the cheapest, and it's still a 5. Can't wait to get Live at the Hollywood Bowl.

I had all his vinyls in the 70s. And followed his performances in Colorado....an intimate gig at Tulagi's in Boulder, a larger concert in Colorado Springs, and a unique concert at Red Rocks amphitheatre. There was actually an eclipse of a full moon on the night of the concert as they were playing Chase the Clouds away....never to be repeated, these memories are ever present! Good to have it on CD and share with my grandsons who are both saxophone players. A lovely gift from my generation to another!

The best Mangione album... one of the best recordings of all time to my ear.