Customer Reviews

Cinema Paradiso

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2 star:		(1)
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People who fear that classic pop singers are going the way of the VHS tape should rejoice with the release of Monica Mancini's Cinema Paradiso. It's simply a gem of an album, a dreamy affair in which the vocalist, the arrangements and the songs are all of the highest caliber.

Mancini, as her name suggests, has a great musical pedigree. Her dad was the legendary composer Henry Mancini; her mom, Ginny O'Connor, was a member of Mel Torme's Mel-Tones.

Monica's not coasting on the family name, though: This is her third album, and easily the finest showcase she has had to date.

As the title implies, Cinema Paradiso is devoted to songs that originated in films. Mancini has come up with a beguiling mixture of tunes, gathering both familiar standards and little-known beauties.

The title tune, for example, comes from the acclaimed 1988 Italian film of the same name. Producer Gregg Field (Mancini's husband) added lyrics, and the result is a sublime song that sounds like an instant classic. Mancini's dark, shimmering vocals caress the melody, blending with the string-heavy orchestration. She's not prone to vain melodrama, instead using her gorgeous voice like an instrument that is part of the ensemble.

That track sets a consistent mood for the album, one of hushed, haunting beauty. In that sense, the disc recalls the classic theme albums of Frank Sinatra in creating and sustaining a tone throughout.

The songs span the years. There is a shaded Over the Rainbow that replaces Judy Garland's youthful insecurity with a sense of quiet optimism. At the other end of the musical generation gap comes A Love Before Time, the theme from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The song's subject matter is one of eternal love, a topic that suits the disc perfectly.

Mancini also treats her listeners to such classics as The Summer Knows, A Day in the Life of a Fool and The Shadow of Your Smile. All are superb.

Baby Mine from Dumbo is sweetly rendered as a warm nighttime lullaby. Burt Bacharach's Alfie is altered from the familiar Dionne Warwick version, with Mancini taking the song at a languid pace that allows her to fully explore Hal David's wistful lyric.

She approaches only one of her father's songs, the little-heard Soldier in the Rain. Judging from her lovely interpretation, it's a puzzle why the song never became a standard.

The album has a connection to one film currently in theaters. Mancini's recording of the song Senza Fine, originally featured in 1965's The Flight of the Phoenix, can be heard in Ghost Ship. Sung in Italian, it easily outclasses the flick.

For fans of film songs, Cinema Paradiso will be a delight. It's even better for lovers of sophisticated pop singing, who will want to present Mancini with bouquets of praise after hearing this wonderful album. By Randy Cordova, The Arizona Republic

People who fear that classic pop singers are going the way of the VHS tape should rejoice with the release of Monica Mancini's Cinema Paradiso. It's simply a gem of an album, a dreamy affair in which the vocalist, the arrangements and the songs are all of the highest caliber.

Mancini, as her name suggests, has a great musical pedigree. Her dad was the legendary composer Henry Mancini; her mom, Ginny O'Connor, was a member of Mel Torme's Mel-Tones.

Monica's not coasting on the family name, though: This is her third album, and easily the finest showcase she has had to date.

As the title implies, Cinema Paradiso is devoted to songs that originated in films. Mancini has come up with a beguiling mixture of tunes, gathering both familiar standards and little-known beauties.

The title tune, for example, comes from the acclaimed 1988 Italian film of the same name. Producer Gregg Field (Mancini's husband) added lyrics, and the result is a sublime song that sounds like an instant classic. Mancini's dark, shimmering vocals caress the melody, blending with the string-heavy orchestration. She's not prone to vain melodrama, instead using her gorgeous voice like an instrument that is part of the ensemble.

That track sets a consistent mood for the album, one of hushed, haunting beauty. In that sense, the disc recalls the classic theme albums of Frank Sinatra in creating and sustaining a tone throughout.

The songs span the years. There is a shaded Over the Rainbow that replaces Judy Garland's youthful insecurity with a sense of quiet optimism. At the other end of the musical generation gap comes A Love Before Time, the theme from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The song's subject matter is one of eternal love, a topic that suits the disc perfectly.

Mancini also treats her listeners to such classics as The Summer Knows, A Day in the Life of a Fool and The Shadow of Your Smile. All are superb.

Baby Mine from Dumbo is sweetly rendered as a warm nighttime lullaby. Burt Bacharach's Alfie is altered from the familiar Dionne Warwick version, with Mancini taking the song at a languid pace that allows her to fully explore Hal David's wistful lyric.

She approaches only one of her father's songs, the little-heard Soldier in the Rain. Judging from her lovely interpretation, it's a puzzle why the song never became a standard.

The album has a connection to one film currently in theaters. Mancini's recording of the song Senza Fine, originally featured in 1965's The Flight of the Phoenix, can be heard in Ghost Ship. Sung in Italian, it easily outclasses the flick.

For fans of film songs, Cinema Paradiso will be a delight. It's even better for lovers of sophisticated pop singing, who will want to present Mancini with bouquets of praise after hearing this wonderful album.

"When Monica Mancini set out to record this retrospective of songs from films, she clearly had her passions in order. Monica comes by her affinity for the medium honestly, having grown up in a house permeated with some of the best film music in history, from the pen of her incredibly prolific father, Henry. So it is no surprise that this collection has all the artistry, pathos, and musicality that it so deserves." ~ Dave Grusin, Liner Notes - 2002 ~

Dave Grusin, an expert arranger, conductor, pianist, film scorer himself has described this album so perfectly. The choice of material in this CD is impeccable with Monica Mancini's graceful interpretations and not to mention the flawlessly beautiful arrangements by Torrie Zito, John Calandrelli, Michael Lang, Patrick Williams, George Doering, Ray Ellis, Harvey Cohen and John Frizzell. There are twelve theme songs from various remarkable films in this recording and most of the tracks were backed up by an orchestra with the exception of a few.

The theme song from the movie "Summer of '42" penned by the creative husband-and-wife-team of Alan & Marilyn Bergman and composer Michel Legrand "The Summer Knows" is one of my top choices from this collection. Splendidly arranged by Michael Lang and Harvey Cohen on string section, she renders this timeless song so true to its essence and making it the most beautiful version, bar none!

Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Alfie" (from the movie of the same title), is a moving song accompanied only by the sublime piano playing of Michael Lang. She has an exquisitely beautiful voice, the kind that still shines without the trimmings and backing up of an orchestra, (the kind that still glows even on A Cappella singing). Another affecting song and a favorite of mine is "Too Late Now," a Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner treasure and theme from the movie "Royal Wedding." The orchestral arrangement was done by Torrie Zito, a fine pianist/arranger/conductor who worked briefly with the legendary musical icon, Frank Sinatra. I loved the way he injected a classical touch on his arrangement, almost sounding like one of Claude Debussy's masterpieces. I would say that this is one of the best tracks. Ditto with another Torrie Zito arrangement, Johnny Mandel and Paul Webster's "The Shadow of Your Smile" from the movie "The Sandpiper." Ms. Mancini gave these classics the retire-the-trophy-treatments and made them her very own.

The lovely opener, Ennio Morricone and Gregg Field's "Cinema Paradiso," arranged by Jorge Calandrelli, is also one of the standouts. Another beauty is "I'll Never Say Goodbye" from the movie "The Promise" with piano accompaniment by Michael Lang. The finale "Over The Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz" is simply divine with orchestral arrangement by Ray Ellis.

This recording produced by Ms. Mancini's musician husband, Gregg Field, truly showed off not only the singer's vocal artistry, but her classy and elegant style of singing. Thank you Ms. Mancini for your wonderful gift of music. Music to enjoy forever!

Monica Mancini has done it again! She has released an album that is simply beautiful. Her version of the title track is STUNNING, Hearing the english lyric is great after listening to JOSH sing it in Italian for a year!!! "Too Late Now" & "I'll Never Say Goodbye" are as close to pefect as you can get. "Senza Fine" is a new classic, Glorious!!! I look forward to each new Monica Mancini album, Where has She been all these years???? A Fan Forever

My favorite song of all time is "The Shadow of Your Smile" from the movie "The Sandpiper". Until now, the 2 best versions of it were by Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett. By FAR, this is THE best version of that song. Pure, without "vocal gymnastics", screaming, yelping or other artificial "stylings".. here it is sung as it was written, perfectly performed with beautiful orchestration. The rest of the album is no less miraculous. It is stunning. "A Day in the Life of a Fool", "Cinema Paradiso" and the haunting and tender "Theme from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" are just as lavish and well-crafted. Okay Monica, now could you release one album a year instead of one album every 3 years? Pleeeeassee??

Ever have a case of " conflicted emotions? " Perhaps you've sensed them in other situations. Those emotions that tell you one thing and a moment later another feeling rears it's ugly head and you can't make up your mind about a certain subject? God knows it happens to all of us and when it comes to Monica Mancini's new disc " Cinema Paradiso " I find I'm more conflicted then ever. Astute readers may ask why.

I initially had high hopes for Monica's new release and upon sampling just a small slice at a local record store I brought home my own copy and have been having a maddening on/off again relationship with it ever since. A disc that truly has me stymied. Up front I will state for the record ( no pun ) that Monica's voice, while pleasant enough and surely competant enough to record these treasure's, is at the very best slightly better then average. I realize that may put me in hot water with her many fan's ( I include myself in that crowd, thank-you! ) but there it is. Her phrasing is very nice and gentle but in some cases comes across as slightly 'tingy' and weak. There's certainly nothing wrong in her abilities mind you, it only that she doesn't come across as full-bodied a voice as some of these songs may require. Now, before you think me a true cynic, let me explain even with these less than perfect conditions, why you should purchase a copy of this fine disc.

The CD as a whole is a lush, fully orchestrated affair. Which, speaking for my taste only, is a style of music which I can never seem to find enough of. Featuring songs from recent releases such as " Cinema Paradiso ", " A Love Before Time " and " Seza Fine " Monica seems to be at her very best. She appears to be fully confident of her abilities and brings a sense of sheer joy and no little *magic* in relaying each songs wonderful lyric's. Especially in ' Senza Fine " which being sung in Italian ( she does thank her Italian coach in the pamphlet ) is truly marvelous and carries a sense of atmosphere as well. No small achievement! Plus, again with full orchestration the disc as a whole is very sentimental and beautifully recorded.

The only problems appeared when she tackled some standards that while again were done nicely enough ( and no doubt with the best of intentions) were sadly, to a degree or two, off as well. " Alfie " with just voice and piano was actually very pleasant but not outstanding and I enjoyed it thoroughly but " The Summer Knows " just seemed flat from the git-go. Sadly " I'll Never Say Goodbye " is simply too convoluted with far too much orchestration. I will say that she did herself proud on " Too Late Now " ( a beautifully languid rendition ) and " The Shadow Of Your Smile " was nice but only just. But I at least must question as to why we need yet another version of " Somewhere Over The Rainbow " Is there some little known law for female singers in this world that stipulates that they must offer the listening public their very own rendition of this war-horse? A wonderful song, no doubt, but we really need to put this selection to bed!

Overall, while I may have brought to your attention some of this disc's weaker attributes, it's nevertheless a CD that I'm certainly glad that I own. And while there are only a few selections here that really 'grabbed' me there truly are some wonderful things to be found here as well. And most definitely a disc worth discovering on your very own. Gorgeous, sentimental and most of all terribly romantic. Conflicted emotions aside, a disc to be treasured.

The cinema has given us many memorable ballads. Monica Mancini has selected chestnuts that represent a cross-section of film songs: each of them a timeless beauty that we'll always remember. It's music for our generation. Mancini interprets them with the wallpaper of a string orchestra in support that allows the passion in her delivery to remain at center stage. Each song is performed slow and mellow, as a lullaby suitable for filmdom's reflective moments. The cinematic scores represented include Black Orpheus, The Promise, The Sandpiper, Dumbo, Soldier In The Rain and Royal Wedding. There are vast differences from one work to another, which the musical arrangements relate. The theme from Alfie, for instance, wades knee-deep in nostalgia, while the selection from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon moves to the contemporary, world beat of a different drummer. From her work on the film score to Ghost Ship, Mancini interprets "Senza Fine" in Italian with distinctive cultural timbres from the orchestra. Mike Lang, Ramon Stagnaro and George Doering contribute stirring instrumental interludes that complement this fine vocalist. Monica Mancini employs her natural talents wisely to remind us why we place certain film scores on the table as classic works, while others are soon forgotten. Jim Santell

I sample A LOT of jazz vocalists (for some reason most contemporary jazz vocalists seem to be female) but initially dismissed Monica Mancici because she's the child of a famous father. Henry was very classy and as accomplished as musicians get, and such qualities rarely get passed down the line. What a mistake. I only heard her Mercer album because it was -- thankfully -- being played in a store I was visiting. I bought it, loved it, and was primed for this collection. A solid Five Stars. There's new stuff here (for me) and old songs done splendidly. Over The Rainbow, aside from its original iconic take by "Judy," has been covered hundreds of times. And Monica's take? Quite simply as good as any. With this release I've recognized what I love about Monica's voice: Aside from being simply perfect technically, her voice glows like a crackling fireplace! I mourned the recent passing of Rosemary Clooney, and now feel that there's a relatively new vocalist who I can follow for many years. Live or recorded, I'll be there ...

Seeing Monica Mancini on stage singing the theme from Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, hearing Gregg Field's drums, seeing the multi-media film clip behind her... is like having chocolate and creme!

Monica does not belt you to death, she does not yell at you, she does not punch notes into your being... she soothes you to her, lures you, with a voice that has been hidden for years.

Her voice is perfect in pitch, tone, and her ability to hit every single note as if she were born to sing. Clearly having inherited talent from her mom Ginny and her dad Henry.

On this cd I love the way she embraces other composers songs..."Baby Mine" just one of them. I about melted when she sang that song.

She has a great sense of humor on stage, is spontaneous, and is herself.

She has a great secure personality and stage persona and she has the family roots to give you a chill in your bones when she shares them with you in stories and song.

Hearing her sing live is like being home!

Monica Mancini delivers movie hits from decades past and present with lush orchestration. Best about the album is Monica's voice: quiet, deep, smooth and assured, with a seductive vibrato that graces her longer, lower register notes. Next best are the orchestrations: gentle and cooling, a perfect complement to Monica. What holds me back from 5 stars is that no matter how consistently beautiful her performances are, much of the material is very, very familiar to me. To hear yet another straight-up version without any notably original twists in delivery (as is often feasible in a jazz style) is less than fully captivating. I wish Monica had devoted her magnificent voice to a few more less-performed cinematic gems. The best songs are in that less-performed category. Best of all is "Soldier in the Rain", the only song in this collection composed by her father Henry Mancini, with a complex melody and lyrics, and shimmering, subtle orchestration by Patrick Williams. Monica gives me the warm shivers on this one, especially on the line "never knows the rain". Also excellent are these songs that were new (or nearly new) to me: "Cinema Paradiso", "A Love Before Time", "Too Late Now", "Senza Fine", and "I'll Never Say Goodbye" (accompanied only by piano). A little variety in tempo also would have helped to make this a more compelling collection, as all of the songs are slow. Only "A Love Before Time", with its more contemporary rhythm and arrangement, partly breaks the pattern. I'm deeply moved by Monica's singing, and these performances are stellar, but next time I'd like to hear her mix it up a little more, with a greater variety of less-standard material.