Customer Reviews

Kismet / Music From Hollywood

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Sony presents, Collectable's, featuring Percy Faith's arrangments on two of his most memorable albums - "Kismet" and "Music From Hollywood".

Stand outs: "Stranger In Paradise, adapted from the exciting "Polovtsian Dances" in PRINCE IGOR, underlining romantic exposition, creating a melodic atmosphere - "And This Is My Beloved", loveliest melodies, as Faith colors the melody, as few can.

Highlights: "The Song From "Moulin Rouge", lovely French waltz, with the extended version, climbed the bestseller charts - "Caribbean Night", brilliant theme, Latin American rhythms conjures up all the excitement and magic from Faith's baton.

One not to miss, this is a listeners "Bonanza", just perfect in everyway - Percy Faith, lives again through his music!

Total Time: 76:37 on 20 Tracks/ Sony Music - COL-CD-6473 (2000)

I grew up with these two albums and have just about worn the vinyl to shreds. I am grateful to Collectables for making these wonderful recordings available on CD in pristine remasterings.

The Music from Kismet album perfectly captures the middle eastern flavor of the music and is thoroughly enjoyable, but for me the real highlight of this release is the Music from Hollywood album. Percy takes his time and really developes each tune with brilliant arranging, using his large orchestra to full advantage. This particular album has always been my favorite Faith album. The standout here is his sensitive arrangement of Raksin's beautiful "The Bad and the Beautiful"; it gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Also outstanding are his pacing and arrangements for "Return to Paradise" and "Ruby". The other tunes are not particularly well-known, but Faith makes you wonder why with his consistently dazzling arranging. Grab this release while you can.

Prospective buyers should be aware that both albums were recorded in 1954 and are therefore mono - however, they are so well recorded that you may not even notice. Very highly recommended.

I wrote a review of the OBC CD in which I mention this one. A year after KISMET opened I was serving in the Army and I found this record in the PX. It was a great companion to me living in a mud hole in the Northeastern part of France. It is indeed beautiful and transporting. I still play it now and again and it always brings me back to my old barracks. Highly recommended.