Customer Reviews

Big Night (Original Soundtrack)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

My husband is a second generation Italian-American and played this CD so much that it started growing on me. Actually, he played the movie from which this sound track was derived until I went nuts and got this CD for him. Although the movie is wonderful until you've seen it more than ten times, then it gets old, this soundtrack is timeless, and all the more so when my husband tells me what it was like growing up in his culture and listening to Louis Prima and other Italian and Italian-American music.

Everything on this CD by Louis Prima is excellent. My favorite track of his is Buona Sera, but I also love the rendition of O Sole Mio with Sam Butera's fantastic saxophone work. Rosemary Clooney's Mambo Italiano is the sort of song that stays in your head even when you wish it would leave. It's delightful, but a tad too catchy. A bit of history: this was a successful hit for her, but she didn't like it, nor did she understand why it became a hit.

Claudio Villa's "Strada del Bosco" (road through the woods) and "Tic-Ti Tic-Ta" are two of my favorite Italian tracks, with "Pescivendolo" (fish monger) a close third. Of course, if you saw the movie, the first track, "Stornelli Amorisi" by Claudio Villa will be immediately recognizable and will stick with you.

I was not keen about the instrumentals ("Art of Art", "Dinner", "Pascal's Waltz", or "Big Night Theme"), but that may be because those tracks were so integrated into the movie that they just didn't sound right on a CD. I was also not too keen about Keely Smith's "Don't Take Your Love from Me". It just didn't have the same energy as some of the recordings she made on other records with Louis Prima. They were made for each other, and this track without his strong (overpowering?) presence and style shows it.

All in all, this is a well put together set of tracks that capture the very essence of the Italian-American experience of my husband's generation, and that before him. It will also give you an aural reminder of how delightful the movie - The Big Night - was the first time you saw it. And if you haven't seen it, you should.

I love this CD. The music is joyful, emotional, funny, melancholy; it will make you laugh and cry (while smiling). The Louis Prima cuts are superb. Rosemary Clooney's Mambo Italiano is a classic. The whole collection of songs makes you long for more like them. Play it while you're cooking - play it loud. This is one of the best CDs I own. I've ordered copies for friends, because I know it will make them feel happy when they listen to it. Highly, highly, highly recommended!

This collection of music gives you a wide range of what is considered popular Italian music. From the traditional troubador songs of Claudio Villa to the diletto songs like 'Muntagna',to the swingin' jazz style of Prima, Big Night gives you a tasty sampling that echoes the tasty samplings of musical style much the same way the movie itself gives you samples of Italian cuisine. It's all about spice and flavor and passion! A lot of the songs on this soundtrack mention food or have food themes in them. Very enjoyable, whether you understand the language or not. You can feel the passion of the people in the music, and that's what popular songs are all about.Abondanza!!

This is a great CD. I absolutely love it. I'm not Italian and I know nothing about Italian music, but it's still a joy to listen to. Buy it. Buy it now. Buy 2 copies. It's THAT good.

I recently gave this CD to my friends who are deeply involved in our Italian heritage and travel to Italy quite often. They received the CD on their way out to a weekend getaway and listened to it all the way in the car. They said that they can't wait to host a dinner party just so they can play the CD for thier friends. The movie, which we all watched together before these friends moved away, was great fun and so is the CD! It makes you want to sing out loud, tap your feet....and of course, eat!! Mangia! Mangia!

This wonderful little CD was purchased the day after I viewed the film of the same name. (The film, by the way, with its subtlety and gently paced story is wonderful; go see it.) Since then, it has become one of the most frequently played recordings in our collection. It goes great with pasta, with Chianti, with week-end get togethers with friends, with evening drives on warm evenings.

I know, I know, this is getting corny. But when you listen to this music, you will find yourself transported to another time, a time of better food and slower living; a time of deeper feeling and more interesting people. You will find yourself speaking more slowly and giving people a knowing but calmly detached look. This music will cause you to dance with your spouse in the kitchen - what higher compliment can be given to any collection of music?

the soundtrack goes hand-n-hand with the movie.a perfect combination.the music here is as Rich as the pasta Sauce.alot of flavor.

This trip to the past and the present was great! The voice of Claudio Villa resounds with clarity. I wish we had entertainers with the heart, vitality and love of life of Louis Prima. This music makes your feet want to dance and your heart sing out.

I love this CD! I definetly would recomend it to everyone I know! I love the song "Mambo Italiano" I think it is just so fun.... the whole CD is fun! I hope you decide to purchase this item becuase it is just wonderfull! You will have lots of fun and good times with these songs. I am very happy to have it!!!

This soundtrack is one of the more fun to come along in a while. If you can keep up with all the fast Italian lyrics, it's a blast to sing along with too. The music varies from mambo to torch songs, waltzes and old Italian songs, and provides inspired sound and energy. You'll either be dancing around your house or shakin' along while you cook up some spaghetti. The album would also be great played at parties, since its energy is so upbeat and fun. Good for turning a bad mood around too.