Customer Reviews

Mr. Lucky & Mr. Lucky Goes Latin

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What we have here is a beautifully packaged French reissue of two classic Mancini LP's. The first, 'Mr. Lucky' is the brilliant and quirky music from the TV series of the same name. 'Goes Latin' only gives the 'Latin' treatment to the theme from 'Mr. Lucky', then goes off in it's own direction. In my opinion, the 'Latin' half is the real treasure, and the reason to buy this version instead of the plain 'Mr. Lucky' soundtrack (available elsewhere by itself.)

Of course, 'Mr. Lucky' has great cuts like the main theme, 'March Of The Cue Balls', and 'Chime Time', not to mention the eerie, beautiful and stunning 'Floating Pad' and the pointillistically insane 'Tipsy.' The 'Goes Latin' half really gets into some sonic gorgeousness, the kind that Mancini is known for and does best! 'Lujon', for instance, has a haunting sweeping string melody with some very cool downward chord changes. I think it's one of Mancini's classic cuts. 'Blue Mantilla' is another slow weeper, equally remarkable. And of course there's also Mancini's playful side, represented by cuts such as 'Rain Drops In Rio' or 'No-Cal Sugar Loaf'( ! )

Really. every cut on here is worthwhile for Mancini fans, lounge fans, or film music fans. These 'two-fer' reissues are worth what you pay, not only for the plethora of wonderful songs you get, but for the painstakingly reproduced liner notes, detailed lists of all the musicians, etc. Two lost treasures brought back to light!

Here is where the song "Lujon" (used last year to great effect) first appeared.

Mancini prided himself on his versatility and range. It is in full evidence here - and used as the soundtrack for a very forgettable TV series starring Ross Martin and John Vivyan (put those names in on Google and see what you get...).

Still, you gotta say that this was an amazing talent we had in Henry Mancini, and he is very much missed.

FOR 22 YEARS I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR A COPY OF "VERADA TROPICAL" BY HENRY MANCINI. I WISH TO THANK THOSE WHO REMADE THIS GREAT 1965 ALBUM IN CD FORMAT. SONGS LIKE "BAJA", "VERADA TROPICAL", AND THE "BREEZE AND I" ARE TRULY AN ENCHANTING PLEASURE FOR THE HUMAN EAR WHICH ONLY A GREAT CONDUCTOR LIKE HENRY MANCINI COULD PULL OFF. I DO NOT THINK THAT THE TALENTS OF GREAT CONDUCTORS LIKE HENRY MANCINI, PERCY FAITH AND JACKIE GLEASON WILL EVER BE DUPLICATED.

This Spanish reissue has 12 Tracks:

Mr. Lucky (Goes Latin) 2:16
Lujon 2:40
Timpanola 2:09
Raindrops In Rio 2:49
Siesta
The Dancing Cat 3:03
Cowbells And Coffee Beans 3:06
The Sound Of Silver 2:35
Tango Americano 2:45
No-Cal Sugar Loaf 2:08
Blue Mantilla 2:33
Speedy Gonzales 1:46

I must apologize that I always praise a unique individual like Henry Mancini without acknowledging the fabulous work of the musicians and chorus which represent his body of work. To enjoy and appreciate his music you must get a blanket and lay out in your yard or field with a portable cd player and headphones and listen to your favorite Mancini while observing the clouds or driving in the country in a convertable car and you will be transported to dreamsville. Thank You R.F.

AS ALWAYS, MANCINI IS TOPS! Everything on this CD is exceptionally great.
My favorites are,of course, Lujon,and Mr.Lucky.I will certainly continue to expand
my Mancini collection.

I still have the vinyl records for Peter Gunn and Mr Lucky. They haven't been played for years. I's much easier to get a CD out of the cabinet plus it plays in my car. I was very influenced by these albums plus Route 66. I wanted to grow up and be sopisticated in a coctail dress. By the time I was 21 night clubs were gone and there wern't any little jazz clubs. Last night I watched an episode of Peter Gunn on Netflix. Mancini was at the top of his game then. They don't have Mr. Lucky but I remember it fondly. Without the music...I don't know. It was so integrated into the shows. Goes Latin is wonderful blues and bounce at the same time.

I'm a huge fan of the music Mancini wrote for the old Peter Gunn and Mr. Lucky TV series. I've purchased DVDs of movies like Hartari and Breakfast at Tiffany's primarily to listen to the soundtrack music in context. This CD offers the music from two old LPs. If buying your first Mancini, I would start with The Music from Peter Gunn and More Music from Peter Gunn. Then this combined CD. The soundtrack from Breakfast at Tiffany's is also great.