Customer Reviews

Mondo Hollywood: Ultra Lounge 16

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The is the most wonderful and mindmelting of the lounge series. Maybe because I, late boomer that I am, can remember some of these movie tunes on the radio or belting out of my mom's old Phillips Hi-Fi. Yes, the theme from "A Man and a Women" and "The Shadow of Your Smile" still stirs me in all it kitchy, gooey glory! The Bond and spaghetti western tunes are always energizing and, well, how could you NOT love the theme from the "Flint" movies - "Your Zowie Face"?!?!?

One of the weirdest and most fun entries in the series. 'Seance On A Wet Afternoon' & 'Experiment In Terror' sound like what the Addams family might play at their twist parties; spooky yet very danceable! Other highlights include: a swingin', Tijuana Brass-style version of 'Moon River', funny teen exploitation movie music like 'Hot Rod Rumble' & 'Beat Girl', the smooth as silk Billy May take on 'Girl Talk', the proto-muzak 'Man And A Woman', and one of my personal favorites... Ferrante & Teicher's 'Barbarella'! The strange 'whooshing' voices at the end of the track really take you to outer space!

So, if you like the campier and stranger enries in the series, you'll love this one!

Despite what some Ultra-Lounge purists might say, this is a very wholly enjoyable entry into the collection that does a good job of establishing a feel all its own, not an easy task given the motley collection of themes gathered here.

The disc starts off well with Al Caiola's uber surf-rock "Experiment in Terror," and goes surf again for John Barry's "Beat Girl" with Vic Flick's machine-gun guitar. Martin Denny does a nice "Cool," and ditto with Plas Johnson's 'Pink Panther' medley.

The disc does have way more than its share of clunkers--Larry Holmes' "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" cover (which is, frankly, just ugly); the hideous disco "De Sade" that mars the track it shares with the sexy, sassy "I, A Lover"; the tepid Bond medley; and the truly AWFUL disco-cheese "Moon River"--which may be the worst track on ANY Ultra-Lounge disc.

BUT, the good outweighs the bad. The bouncy piano of Ferrante and Teicher's terrifically campy "Barbarella" theme; the hard-driving bass tones of "Hot Rod Rumble"; Denny McLain's uber-loungey but unexpectedly passionate "Watch What Happens"; Holmes' chorus-line-kicking "You Gotta Taste All the Fruit." Barry's fiercely unsettling "Seance on a Wet Afternoon" isn't conventional lounge by a long shot, but is quite good on its own. The easy Basie swing of May's "Girl Talk" is one of the disc's best pleasures (check out Howard Roberts' version on Volume 6). The sunny waltz rhythm of Nelson Riddle's "Your Zowie Face" is a total delight from end to end, but the best track hands down is number 9: Ray Anthony's huge, golden trumpet sound on his tremendous rendition of "The Shadow of Your Smile," followed by George Shearing's legendary jazz combo doing an irresistibly lighthearted treatment Mancini's "The Days of Wine and Roses." Oh...and then there's the bonus track--Gene Pitney's classic "Town Without Pity."

This may not be the best entry in the Ultra-Lounge canon, but it's got heart, and some real gems. Go Hollywood!

Here is a fairly good addition to the ULTRA-LOUNGE series. There are some hidden gems, such as "You Gotta Taste All the Fruit" and a swingin' organ version of "You Only Live Twice," but there are also quite a few forgettable tracks.

I purchased this album specifically for the first cut. This song, Experiment in Terror, written by Henry Mancini and performed by Al Ciaola was used by as the theme song for Pittsburgh's Saturday night "Chiller Theatre" on WIIC Channel 11 for many, many years. I have fond memories of the show and "Chilly Billy Cardille", the host. I've been looking for this song for thirty years.

The other cuts are a quirky collection of songs used in movies, all good, and comprise a great soundtrack for an offbeat evening in the lounge.

Mondo Hollywood/ Ultra-Lounge/ Movie Madness from Tinsel Town: Seems like people either love or hate the Lounge style (I love it). The Ultra-Lounge series is the best in representing that style (while being magnificently entertaining). "Mondo Hollywood" may not be the disk that defines Lounge, but this may be the most entertaining disk of the entire series. This one is Sweet!

Great music. The term "lounge" is broad and often misleading. But this is a great series, keeping alive music with which "the younger generation" would never become familiar. My suggestion is that you buy the entire series. Each CD is a little different. The series is excellent. This CD is more of the "easy listening" style, which I like. Nice music.

Ultra Lounge, Volume 16 entitled Mondo Hollywood gives us nineteen great tracks of television show and movie theme songs from the 1960s interpreted through the creators of great lounge music. The quality of the sound is excellent; and this CD is sure to have something for everyone.

The CD starts with "Experiment In Terror" by Al Caiola; and the arrangement makes good use of the percussion and guitars. Much better is the second number, though--listen for a medley of "A Man And A Woman/Live For Life" by Billy May and Leroy Holmes. Their music is excellent and the arrangement couldn't be more pleasing to the ear. Great harmonizing, too! I really like the way they use the organ in "A Man And A Woman/Live For Life." Moreover, there's also "Cool" by Martin Denny. "Cool" comes the musical West Side Story; and I predict that you will enjoy "Cool" very much.

"Pink Panther/It Had Better Be Tonight (Meglio Sta Sera)" gets the royal treatment from Plas Johnson, who keeps everyone on their toes with a fantastic arrangement. Love that horn solo for "Pink Panther!"

Another highlight of this fine CD is the medley of "The Shadow Of Your Smile/Days Of Wine And Roses" conducted by Ray Anthony and George Shearing respectively. The guitar works wonders for "The Shadow Of Your Smile;" and the horn makes for a most romantic sound. In addition, there's also a great rendition of "Moon River" by Henry Jerome and his crew. "Moon River" gets a mid 1960s flavor to it and this creates an easy listening effect that still works so well today.

The CD ends with a passionate and memorable number; Gene Pitney sings one of his signature ballads, "Town Without Pity." Gene's excellent diction and style make his performance flawless; and I really like this closing number.

The CD comes with beautiful artwork and an essay about the times when this music reigned supreme in lounges across America. We get the song credits, too.

Overall, this installment in the "Ultra Lounge" CD series carries its weight easily with many zesty tunes you're bound to like. I recommend it for people everywhere who enjoy lounge music.

Love this kind of music - can't get enough - have most all of the CDs. Excellent New Jersey-based company with excellent foresight and retro-understanding for the best party and jazz combos. Excellent choice for any kind of day or evening, party or relaxation time.

Everytime I play this CD at a party it gets people laughing and discussing this great music. It's perfect with any crowd. The entire series is a blast.