Customer Reviews

Harpo in Hi-Fi / Harpo at Work

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Harpo Marx wrote in his autobiography, "Harpo Speaks": " When I sit down to play the harp in the Marx Brothers films, you are seeing the real Harpo Marx." Harpo Marx taught himself to play harp, using his grandmothers old, wrongly tuned harp. His son, Billy Marx was and still is an accomplished pianist. They collaborated to produce these two LPs for Mercury Records, and they are now availaable for the first time on CD. It is an occasion for celebration. The selections on the CD represent the best from both LPs. "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" is possibly the finest rendition ever. "Autumn Leaves" can make you hear the wind rustling the leaves on the tree. We look forward to a possible part , perhaps including the LP Harpo made for Columbia as well. Until then, this will go a long way in quenching our thirst.

Don't hesitate to buy this wonderful CD. When Harpo plays the harp it is magical. The songs on this CD are incredibly beautiful. You'll want to listen to it time and time again. I was so moved by Harpo's playing that I have started to learn how to play the harp myself. LOL!!! (If you want to hear my progress so far, go to www.harponit.com)

This particular album, is a treat for Harpo fans, as well fans of jazz music. I found myself just taken in by the music, it's extremely soothing and relaxing. Harpo's virtuosity absolutely shines in the tunes. I particularly liked "Harpo Woogie", "Guardian Angel" (which Harpo wrote!), "My Blue Heaven" (which was done by Fats Domino as well as many others), and "In a Sentimental Mood". If you are looking for just Harpo solos (as in the Marx Brothers films), you won't find that here. But you will find terrific arrangements (done by Harpo's son Bill), and angelic music done by a most angelic man. Highly recommended.

it's a very lovely cd. i got it in the mail the other day. and from listening to it. i loved it. the sounds of him playing is so nice & bene. he's the best. and i am a harpo fan . if you like harpo's music . then i say buy this lovely cd. you will be
playing it on & on.
harpo's number one fan **** :)
ciao maria

Harpo Marx's Mercury recordings were out of print for many years. This CD delivers value for money by including both albums: "Harpo in Hi-Fi" (1957) and "Harpo at Work" (1958). Surprisingly, the world's most famous harpist does not record as a soloist; instead, Harpo collaborates with jazz and classical musicians, resulting in an added dimension to his overall sound. Several tracks suffer from overproduction, but "Laura," "Imagination" and Harpo's composition of "Guardian Angel" are beautifully done - quite a contrast from his musical performances on film and television. Definitely worth a listen.

I would have preferred hearing just the man and his harp, but we get a dated orchestral accompaniment to go with it. My favorites are "Harpo Woogie" and the beginning of "Aye, Aye, Aye". Plenty of beautiful bits. Nice to fall asleep to, or do Yoga as a Ducklister recommended. Three and-a-half stars.

For a long time now, I have wanted to own a recording of Harpo Marx playing his favorite instrument. Like many of you, I remember those stunning performances included in many of the Marx Brothers movies. Well, none of these performances come from those films, but they are a treasure all the same. Harpo made these recordings in collaboration with his son Bill who was a talented musician and arranger. I think you will agree that the two of them have created a classic.

This CD combines two Harpo Marx albums from 1957/58 on one CD. Harpo, of course, was the most famous harpist of all time. Some of the tracks here have a somewhat jazzy feel to them, but some of them are a little too close to "easy listening". Harpo fans should enjoy it, though.

It's very typical, and typically close-minded, of those born around 1965 or after to belittle the orchestra instead of recognizing its importance as a welcome force in pre-Beatles pop music. This is a fantastic double-CD, with interesting small band jazz accompaniment on some tracks and beautiful full orchestra on others, perfectly complementing Harpo's gentle harp playing. Great to go to sleep by.

I actually own not only the CD but the 2 LPs that the tracks came from. The CD is a bit of a dissapointment in that three tracks from "Harpo At Work" are from mono masters (the liner notes specify that acceptable stereo masters were not available... what humbug). Since I own both the mono and stereo LP versions of "Harpo At Work" I did a little comparison... the producers could have used a good LP rip if they had gotten off of their lazy butts. Also, there is absolutely NO player personnel listed for "Harpo At Work" tracks, and very rudimentary info for "HArpo in Hi-fi". The liner notes do go into detail about his life, just wish that they would have had some more info on who was playing... sigh...

Musically it is great stuff, the tracks show just how GOOD Harpo was on the instrument, and how GOOD Bill was in the arranging department. The transfers are OK, nothing special, but not clankers, either. I just wish the producers would have expended the extra effort to give us the three full stereo tracks from the second LP.