Jack Jack Jack: 1947-1949

Xavier Cugat | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 16, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 16, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Harlequin Records
• ASIN: B00004SSEA
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #438,731 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Jack Jack Jack (Cu-Tu-Gu-Ru)

2. Illusion

3. Hokey Joe

4. Un Poquito De Amor

5. El Tumbaito

6. Adios Maraquita Linda

7. Dice Mi Gallo

8. Thrill Of A New Romance

9. Rumbasia

10. Story Of Sorrento

11. Rumba Fantasy

12. It's Easy When You Know How

13. Jungle Rumba

14. Cuatro Milpas (Lonely Rancho)

15. Chon Chon Chon

16. It Began In Havana

17. Mary Ann

18. Bola Negra

19. Rumba Cocktail

20. Charisse

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cugat's Versatility, July 15, 2001

By 

Sammy Somekh (Ramat-Gan Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jack Jack Jack: 1947-1949 (Audio CD)

These 1947-1949 recordings find Xavier Cugat's orchestra in top form, dispalying Cugat's versatility and broad range of styles embracing both the romantic and jazzy--the latter evident especially on the 1949 recordings with the brass and reeds taking the spotlight with great vigor backed by a swinging beat. However, the brass does not "scream" to grab attention as would be the case with the mambo bands of the ensuing decades, it sings in harmony with the reeds and, where applicable, the violins, flutes and marimba. In fact, Cugat's orchestra never sounded jazzier as on these cuts. "Rumba Cocktail", "Guarare", "Zing a Zing Boom" and "El Tumbaito" are a few cases in point.

The romantic is represented by the enchanting "Rumbasia" redolent of tropical beaches with turquoise waters and swaying palm trees. "Charisse", a dreamy tango, makes one wonder whether it refers to actress Cyd! While "Un Poquito de Amor" (not to be confused with "Un Poquito de Tu Amor") is simply magical.

Cugat always employed vocalists whose talents complemented those of the orchestra. On this CD, we hear Jose Monero, Aladdin Pallante and Otto Bolivar as well as American singers such as Buddy Clark, Bob Graham and Dorothy Porter.

With the 1949 recordings, the decade that witnessed the Golden Era of the big bands and Hollywood was drawing to a close. And the ensuing decade would witness the mambo craze with terrific rhythms but, alas, little musical substance. So get this CD while it lasts. They don't play 'em like that anymore...

4.0 out of 5 stars Good collection of rarities., January 10, 2006

By 

George Slivinsky (Winnipeg Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jack Jack Jack: 1947-1949 (Audio CD)

Some not-easy-to-find items here. The prize for me was Adios Maraquita Linda (aka Mariquita or Marquita), one of the greatest melodies of all time. This may be a definitive orchestral rendition, with the right bouncy tempo. For a vocal I would refer to Marty Robbins' Mexico album. Marianne is the same song that was later a hit in the mid 50s - "all day, all night, Marianne, down by the seaside sifting sand". This CD has 8 instrumentals, the rest being various vocal combinations with orchestra.