|
| |||||||||||||||
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
Special Offers and Product Promotions
- Buy a CD or a vinyl record, get a $1 Amazon MP3 Credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
- Includes FREE MP3 version of this album Here's how (restrictions apply)
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Editorial Reviews
The album, Dreams Of Johnny Mercer, finds Mancini uniquely interpreting a dozen songs that have lyrics by the immortal Johnny Mercer. However this is not a typical songbook recital. Johnny Mercer (1909-76) was a poet with his pen, one of the wittiest and most insightful of all American song lyricists. After his death, his wife Ginger Mercer discovered some of his unpublished lyrics and gave a dozen sets to singer and composer Barry Manilow, for which Manilow wrote new music. Seven of these songs are featured on The Dreams Of Johnny Mercer, along with five of Mercer's classic pieces.
The Dreams of Johnny Mercer sets the standard for a songbook album and with her beautiful voice, impeccable taste, swinging style and unique interpretations; Monica Mancini is simply one of the finest singers around today.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Marc Manheim
Format:Audio CD
One problem with singers attempting to cover material that is as well covered as that of American songsmith Johnny Mercer is that the songs have usually been done many times before. The only way to circumvent that is to bring such a fresh and unique approach to the music that the songs take on a new life almost as if they are being performed for the first time. This is exactly what Monica Mancini has done here. What makes it even more interesting however is in addition to the Mercer standards, there are seven newly discovered lyrics of Mercer that have been given music by composer Barry Manilow. One in particular is "When October Goes", a song that Manilow himself recorded. This may be the highlight of the CD. The lyric stands among Mercer's best efforts and Manilows haunting melody is the perfect stage for Mancini's powerful interpreation. Among other noteable moments on the CD are the quirky "The Weekend of a Private Secretary" and the Take 6 arranged accapella "Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positve" sung entirely by Mancini and a member of Take 6. This entire CD is so well put together that it certainly raises the bar for all to follow. Mancini is to be congratulated on a superior effort. She establishes herself among the great interpreters of Amercian song. Not to be missed. Five Stars.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
They say that talent runs in the family, and being the daughter of Henry Mancini - "Our Man In Hollywood", and Ginny Mancini who sang with the Mel-Tones (Mel Torme's group), would give one to believe this isn't just a rumor.
For Monica's Concord Record debut, we hear the distinctive vocal stylings to a dream-themed collection of songs from the pen of another in the elite ranks of the greatest of great American songwriters - Johnny Mercer.
Monica's fresh, eclectic approach and insightful interpretations of the songs penned by the man around whom she grew up reconfirms the timeless-ness of Mercer's songs. She could have chosen all well known tunes, but took the road to find the soul of each song, no matter where it might lead. Barry Manilow was given six sets to compose the music and complete the Mercer gems.
Concord Records and Monica Mancini give this CD a warm and tender insight on every track, with one common thread being the genius of Mercer....gorgeous orchestrations blends with Monica's unforgettable voice, makes them instant standards!
Total Time: 44:25 on 12 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD 4937...(2000)
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Dreams of Johnny Mercer Monica Mancini has a very good album here. This was the first I had ever heard of her, and her voice reminds me of Dianne Shuur's on her earliest recordings. The stand out songs are the ones that are the "new discoveries" lyrics by Mercer and orchestrated by Manilow. (Actually, every one of those were recorded on Nancy Wilson's CD "With My Lover Beside Me".) The older Mercer songs, standards, are well done, but the newer ones are better. The only weird selection in the bunch is "Weekend of a Private Secretary" which sounds like something Lucy Ricardo would have sung. "It had Better be Tonight" is ok, but Mercer had much better songs than that. I went back and listened to Nancy Wilson's CD just to compare, and thought both interpreted the material originally. If you own Wilson's CD, you should get this one too. Highlights are "When October Goes" (recorded in the past by Manilow, and Wilson), and the last two selections, "At Last" and "Just Remember." "Just Remember" should be a wedding standard. I wonder why it hasn't become one? This CD will not get lots of radio play, and you probably won't see Mancini on "Late Night" or the Tonight Show. That shouldn't stop you from getting this excellent effort. Great voice. Put it in your car CD player on your way home in heavy traffic. It will make the ride through the rush hour much more enjoyable.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Musical Journey
Monica Mancini is a singer-extraordinaire! I love her voice, her sultry style,
her originality and sincerity. She's the best. So's this CD!
her originality and sincerity. She's the best. So's this CD!
Published 17 days ago by Phyllis E. Perry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Monica Mancini CD
CD arrived in very good condition in under a week and no problems in playing. A good CD at a great price.
Published 13 months ago by Frederick Clark
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Collection of Little-Known Mercer Lyrics
I can only concur with the other 5-Star reviews of this collection. My initial impression upon hearing the songs was "where has she been hiding? Read more
Published 18 months ago by Robert S. Weaver
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Young Voice With An Old Soul
I grew up in a home full of music, listening to many of these songs recorded by other singers. Polly Bergan, Helen Morgan, Frank Sinatra, Keely Smith, Sarah Vaughan and others. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Scott Marks
5.0 out of 5 stars
When October Goes
I never thought I'd hear a more beautiful version of "When October Goes" but I was pleasantly surprised to hear a most spectacular arrangement. Read more
Published on August 26, 2008 by LK
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mercer done Mancini style
I had the opportunity to visit with Monica Mancini about this CD ... she was as delightful as the music. My favorites are "Skylark" and "When October Comes. Read more
Published on June 24, 2008 by Terry Mathews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Passable
This is a fairly good album, if not compared with an album by Nancy Wilson that contain most of the same songs "With My Lover Beside Me", the emotive quality barely makes the... Read more
Published on June 4, 2007 by G. S. Hines
5.0 out of 5 stars
Swingin' Dreams of Johnny Mercer
This album is the very best of Johnny Mercer. I bought the album because I like the song "Skylark" but after listening to the CD, every song on the album became my favorite song. Read more
Published on September 5, 2006 by F. Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully Rendered Johnny Mercer Songs
"I was very fortunate to have known Johnny Mercer from my earliest childhood. He was a sweet and kind man and it was his laugh and smile that I most recall. Read more
Published on January 4, 2006 by Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue*
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Delightful Discovery... by Accident
My favorite easy listening station played Monica's "Slow Hot Wind" from her first album and I was so blown away, I bought all 3 of her albums at once. Read more
Published on June 28, 2004 by classicmoviefan
