Customer Reviews

Route 66: That Nelson Riddle Sound

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

 

 

Kunzel and Cincinnati Pops have made a terrific CD. They have put an new twist on the swing music of Nelson Riddle, using instrumentals in place of the vocals. I have listened to this one over and over. This is a fun CD.

It's a fine concept, probably made for a wonderful pops theme concert, & these arrangements would be delightful encores for any orchestra. But it doesn't "get" Nelson Riddle. Riddle's sound was also built on the ace Hollywood studio musicians he used - veterans of the big bands. Riddle was known to tailor arrangements to individual players. Then there was the studio craft of the Capitol Record engineers; in the later recordings that sound featured lots of reverb & a fat bass guitar. Riddle went to the studio with an ear to recording hit instrumental singles, & he had a number of them in addition to many releases that didn't chart. Albums were assembled around them. Everything got the Riddle studio treatment, from classics of the Great American Songbook to TV themes & corny novelties. Riddle was a pop artist. So there's no strong reason to have this album when Riddle's Capitol recordings are available in their original LP form & in compilations.

Buy this album to add to your collection and be sure to play it while you drive west from Chicago on Route 66. This CD is a must-have for anyone wishing to explore the unique sound of the era that influenced Nelson Riddle and all of America. He would approve.

Nelson Riddle fans, this is the recording for you. Eighteen cuts based on the original Nelson Riddle arrangements, starting with "Night and Day," ending with "Route 66," and covering tunes such as "I've Got You under my Skin" and "The Lady Is a Tramp" along the way. Kunzel conducts a crack group of musicians, the sound quality (featuring Telarc's adaptation of DSD technology) is excellent, and even the liner notes are first-class, offering an appraisal of Riddle's place in the great musical scheme of things. Those of who are not Nelson Riddle fans might find the whole thing somewhat kitschy and boring, but then we would most likely not be buying this CD in the first place. For Riddle fans only--but to them, highly recommended.

When I read of this project, I was very excited about buying this cd and listening to an updated version of the Nelson Riddle sound. I must say that I have not been disappointed. I feel like who ever did the re-arranging did a good job of remaing as close as possible to Nelsons' sound.

I feel like Nelson, where ever he might be, is looking down with a giant smile on his face and saying BRAVO, you did a good job in paying a tribute to me and my music. THANKS A MILLION!

Recommendation: Any fan of Nelsons' will have to have this cd, so go on and buy it.

The Cincinnati Pops provides a wonderful presentaion of Nelson Riddle's work. If you are desiring a "Frank Sinatra" style of arranging you'll probably be disappointed; however, if you seek a large orchestra's presentation on Riddle's most popular works, you'll love it. I especially enjoy listening to it while working. Makes the work day seem a whole lot brighter!!!!!

This is probably the worst example of an orchestral re-work of a popular arranger. In fact, it's probably the worst CD I have ever bought. Clearly no one on the arrangement staff, nor Kunzel, have ever heard or understood Nelson Riddle's charts, licks or vibe. It's an embarrasement to Telarc and they should pull it from their catalogue. Sorry guys, but this is really awfull!