The Lonely Bull [Original recording remastered]

Herb Alpert | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 8, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Shout Factory
• ASIN: B000771T1A
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,257 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #82 in Music > Pop > Easy Listening > Orchestral Pop

Editorial Reviews

The album that started the Herb Alpert phenomenon!

Originally released in 1962, The Lonely Bull was not only Herb Alpert’s musical debut, but the first album released on A&M Records. "After experiencing my first bullfight in Tijuana, Mexico," Alpert recalls, "I was inspired to find a way to musically express what I felt while watching the wild responses of the crowd, and hearing the brass musicians introducing each new event with rousing fanfare."

The excitement translated, and The Lonely Bull was a stunning success. The title track hit the Billboard Top 10, as did the LP, which peaked at #10 and remained on the album chart for three years. The disc also includes the perennial stadium favorite "Never On Sunday," and the intricate, bossa nova-inflected "Desafinado." The cover, featuring Alpert toasting with a tequila glass, began a run of memorable TJB covers—including the groundbreaking and unforgettable one featuring a barely covered model immortalized on the Whipped Cream & Other Delights.

Each album in the Herb Alpert Signature Series features meticulously remastered sound, deluxe packaging, detailed liner notes, and an intro by Herb Alpert containing personal recollections and anecdotes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TOO LONG GONE & GLAD IT IS BACK, March 8, 2005

By 

W. Budris (Rosedale, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Lonely Bull (Audio CD)

In 1962, I was four years old. I wasn't so much into music until after I was 5 or 6. However, after I had heard Herb Alpert & the TJB do "Taste Of Honey", I was completely hooked. Was able to have some 45s bought for me, but my friends had the albums. I may have started with "Whipped Cream and Other Delights", but I did backtrack to Lonely Bull.

I remember having only Mono albums, as our equipment was mono...very few stereo records for what was a pretty cheap stereo that my parents had. I had even worse until I was a teenager, so I got Mono records. I did not hear these albums in stereo at all until another friend from Vegas played me some of his TJB previous CD issues. These few came and went so fast, I never was able to obtain them, and have lived off "Definite Hits" since its release. After the first play of LONELY BULL in beautifully remastered stereo, my wait is over and my favorite intrumental group of all time is BACK with a vengence.

I do agree to an extent with other reviewers where the mono mix and stereo mix versions could have been incorporated. However, not knowing if the public in this day and age will totally jump at having this fantastic music would generate that kind of issue now. This album and SOUTH OF THE BORDER give us a blast from the past, and adding the brand-new LOST TREASURES CD album by itself gives us a taste of what was left in the vaults. If these releases really kick sales-wise, I would think Shout! Factory may go back and combine the Mono and Stereo versions together in "Special Editions" or a box set.

LONELY BULL with SOUTH OF THE BORDER and LOST TREASURES offer a great introduction in this new century to some of the greatest instrumentals recorded in the latter part of the last century.
WHIPPED CREAM comes April 19 with bonus tracks, and more to follow. However, I don't see Volume 2 noted anywhere in the information included with the Booklet. Great liner notes and informational history provided, with comments from Herb, as well.

31 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An opportunity missed., April 9, 2005

By 

O. Hays "Geezosaur" (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Lonely Bull (Audio CD)

When this release first was announced, I hastened to put it on my "want" list. I supposed that this re-release would put to rights the mistakes of the past -- instead, it simply repeated those mistakes (albeit in what seems to be superior sound).

By "mistakes" I am referring to the continued use of the false "stereo" version of "The Lonely Bull" (as well as approximately one-half the remaining selections on the album). Allow me to add some perspective. When "The Lonely Bull" first was released, it achieved hit status on the strength of airplay exposure; very quickly, it was released in both 45rpm single format, and then on the eponymous LP. But, those releases were monaural, not stereo. In fact, "The Lonely Bull", its "B" side, and a few other tracks never were originally recorded in stereo (shades of Martin Denny's original recording of "Quiet Village").

"The Lonely Bull" became a hit, and put A&M Records on the map, as a monaural recording. Only after it achieved hit status did Herb Albert and the A&M team decide to produce a "stereo" version. With "The Lonely Bull", "El Lobo" and other selections, this was achieved by re-recording the original mono mix in one channel, while adding new instrumental tracks (trumpet, mainly) in the other channel. The result is odd (some might call it "quaint"), and not at all faithful to the original.

Playing this CD in mono (right- and left-channels summed) does not recreate the sound of the original, mono mix, since there is some phase cancellation.

Unless you absolutely must have a copy of "The Lonely Bull", skip this reissue. We can hope that, at some future date, A&M itself will reissue the original mono recording in its single-channel (and unadulterated) glory: it is worth hearing, and upon hearing it, you immediately will understand why the recording -- the single, the album -- was so successful.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the boisterous noises, color and motion of the Tijuana streets--and one "Lonely Bull" that wouldn't be lonely for long, April 11, 2007

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Lonely Bull (Audio CD)

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass scored a major coup with their first album--and the first record on the A&M label--entitled The Lonely Bull. If anyone ever wanted to take a group of polished musicians and infuse great ballads from anywhere in the world, including Latin America, with their personal Latin American or Mexican style, Herb Alpert was the best man to do it--and do it he did.

The CD starts off with the titled track, "The Lonely Bull (El Solo Toro.)" We hear the sounds of the bull fight and a few bars of the "La Virgin de la Macarena;" then the true melody begins. The horns, percussion and guitar all shine to make this melody a very special one; and the backup chorus adds to the greatness of this number. "El Lobo (The Wolf)" follows; again the horns, percussion and guitar carry the melody very well. "El Lobo (The Wolf)" also makes great use of the chimes at the end of this track. "Tijuana Sauerkraut" again uses the horns and drums to bat this traditional German flavored melody straight out of the ball park! The chorus on "Tijuana Sauerkraut" performs beautifully, too.

Other gems on this CD include the bossa nova flavored "Desafinado;" Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass perform this so elegantly. The melody charms you so much that you'll want to jump up, grab your sweetheart and dance--wherever you are! The musicians use the horns and percussion on "Desafinado" very well. In addition, "Never On Sunday" sports a continental flair with a Latin American beat superimposed over it that works very well. The backup chorus only enhances the loveliness of "Never On Sunday." In addition, "Struttin' With Maria" has a relentlessly happy and upbeat feel to it which highlights the joy a man feels as he walks alongside his one true love, Maria.

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass also perform a stunning rendition of "Let It Be Me." The artists slow down the tempo considerably as they use the horns and percussion to make this classic love ballad more romantic than ever. This is truly music for lovers!

"Limbo Rock" sports a powerful upbeat melody as the horns and percussion carry the melody. The cries of the musicians and the male chorus add a very special human, playful element to "Limbo Rock."

The CD ends fittingly with the stately sounding "A Quiet Tear (Lágrima Quieta)." "A Quiet Tear (Lágrima Quieta)" begins with tambourines added to the horns to enhance the stateliness of this number and to infuse it with a Mexican flavor as well. The backup chorus also helps to make this a fine ending for the CD.

The liner notes include commentary by Herb Alpert and the art work reflects good judgment.

Fans of Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass will consider this release to be a "must-have" for their collections; and people who enjoy easy listening music from the 1960s will enjoy this CD as well. Moreover, if you like music that emphasizes the role of the trumpet, you can't go wrong with this CD.

¡Olé!