Customer Reviews

Land of Make Believe

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know what's become of Esther Saddlefield. Hopefully she is still making a good living and recording glorious music. All I know is that her rendition of "The Land of Make Believe" is on my top-ten list of all time greatest songs, period. Her voice is so perfectly syncopated to the orchestra and to Mangione's horn, that I can think of no greater synthesis between voice and instrument, including opera. She puts Dionne Warwick to shame. If you didn't listen to the radio during the 70's, buy this CD and find out what you missed.

Land of Make Believe is a live concert album, recorded before Chuck Mangione broke through with his hit "Feels So Good". It's a great view into some of his earlier (and argueably better) music. To me this album rests on two songs: "Land of Make Believe" and "Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor". Legend starts off this set with a driving percussion riff. It then breaks into a great, upbeat tempo'ed, instrumental piece that provides many solos to enjoy. Land takes the concert into another direction, bringing a great vocalist onto the stage to mesmorize you. The lyrics to the song are at once both hopeful and haunting, and the music just absolutely soars. All other songs on this album, although decent in their own right, pales in comparrison to these two.

I would recommend this CD to any Mangione fan looking for a slightly different view of his music. However, be warned: If you already have his "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" CD, this may be a disappointment to you. The Hollywood Bowl set is probably one of the best live sets ever recorded. If you're just beginning to listen to Mangione then this isn't a bad place to start.

I have this album on vinyl. However, I am in the process of replacing my vinyl Chuck collection. My favorite track on this album is undoubtedly "As Long As We're Together". Ester Satterfield's vocals on this song just melt me. This is one of the tracks I play when my wife and I get to spend an occasional romantic evening together. I didn't discover Chuck until the early 80s. This album was the first one I bought of his. ([$] at a second hand record store) I would recommend this album to any one wanting to discover Chuck and his music.

I first listened to "Land of Make Believe" as a child since my parents were fans of Chuck Mangione. I knew even then it was something special. A few months ago I found the CD and immediately bought it remembering how fantastic the music and vocals were. When I was driving my Mom home last week I played it for her and it brought her to tears. We both missed the beautiful music of this album and were glad to find it once again.

One early San Francisco morning in 1973 I had fallen asleep at the home of a friend (from a party that lasted late into night). I was awakened by the opening strains of "Land of Make Believe". Picture it: white/yellow sunlight beginning to pour into a room curtained with gauze that filtered the light; ferns, fuschias and other plants responding to the light with their various shades of greens; and a mind that, when awakened, was awed by the music. At that moment I became an ardent fan of Chuck Mangione. "Land of Make Believe" is a classic, one that could never be duplicated. It's superb melodic and rhythmical content is enhanced by delicious vocalizations. It captures the listeners imagination and heart with truth and beauty. My personal favorite on the release, however, is "Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor." What is has to do with a one-eyed sailor still remains to be seen, but who cares. It is a dynamic piece that echoes the finest of New Orleans jazz. Its finale is electrifying. I adore this album, it has traveled the world with me.

This music was orginally performed in a live concert with the Rochester, New York Philharmonic in 1973. I was there and the music still sounds great. I can still feel the excitement we all felt in the audience that evening.

The other live concert Mangione did in Rochester with Esther Sadderfield, Bat McGraff and Don Potter can also be heard on, "Compact Jazz" and "Greatest Hits"(Intersound International). They are worth your listening time.

Orchestral jazz is a special and often hard-to-find variety of jazz, and this album is one of the best representatives of that genre. Mangione was at his best when writing for large ensembles. This 1973 concert recording also features vocalist Esther Satterfield on three of the six tracks, and a 24-voice chorus on one track. Mangione's quartet is out in front of the orchestra, including his superb soprano saxophonist Gerry Niewood. A couple of notable names in the ensemble: Jon Faddis leads the trumpet section, and Steve Gadd is one of the percussionists.
Each of the tracks is very different in character. "Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor" is a great opener, building intensity as it goes, with nice solos from Mangione and Niewood and powerful backup from Faddis. The beautiful "Lullaby for Nancy Carol" is Esther's first vocal of the set, and my favorite of her performances on this album. "El Gato Triste" is a cello feature, but don't imagine that it's a dull classical piece. Wait until the Latin rhythm gets going. The back-and-forth between the ensemble and the percussion section makes for a great climax to this piece.
"Gloria from the Mass of St. Bernard" appears to be Chuck's tribute to the era when the master composers of Europe relied on the Catholic Church as a major patron. The classical influence is clearly there, but updated a few centuries. This one features the vocal chorus and includes a brief but tasteful appearance by Niewood's soprano.
"As Long As We're Together" has a bright pop-feel, but Esther's vocal is far more challenging and covers a greater range than most pop tunes. But that's just a warm-up for the 12-minute "Land of Make Believe," a brilliant arrangement that gives everybody - ensemble, soloists, and vocalist - an opportunity to stretch. A fitting closer to a great concert.
I wish someone would release a CD version of "Together," my other favorite Mangione full-orchestra album.

Owning this LP since 1975 and last listening to it about 10 years ago. This is Mangione at his top three best. Behind Children of Sanchez and Tarantella LPs and in front of Live at the Hollywood Bowl. This is a must buy for anyone who likes Mangione. Recorded live at Massey Hall in Toronto with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Ester Satterfield on vocals. The quartet,orchestra, and vocals are Fantastic!!!!!

I remember every Saturday morning this album would be playing when I woke up. It was one of my father's favorite albums. The music if you really listen to it puts you in another state of mind. For me it is those Saturday mornings. The LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE is a fanatastic album.My only problem is that it ends to quickly.

This 1973 release still ranks in my book as a classic during a time when "hard rock" and R&B seemingly ruled the roost. This Mangione recording is hard to beat of all those that he produced.