Customer Reviews

Jack Jack Jack: 1947-1949

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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...

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.