Customer Reviews

Tara's Theme / Jealousy

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

 

 

tara's theme is itself the definitive version of the great max steiner theme. the other movie themes on this album are not available in many other versions and this alone makes it ESSENTIAL.Jealousy is a marvelous collection of not often heard older standards as well. all are superbly arranged and flawlessly recorded...a must.

Another reissue from Collectable Records that is again, incomplete. One cut from the Jealousy album has been omitted. Again, if you can't present it complete, why present it all. Especially since this cd has "Theme from A Summer Place." This song is available on many other Faith or Hollywood music compilations. Why not cut this tune and keep "Tia Juana?" Other than that, this is another fine cd release. Typically great Faith arrangements that old lp fans will want to own to replace their worn lp copy.

Thinking back to the original releases, played each one almost every day...big fan of "Our
Man From Canada" ~ Percy Faith...each track is carefully arranged and the result is as
always breathtaking...Faith has taken each composers composition Max Steiner, Raksin,
Marchetti, Gold, North and Manos Hadjidakis, who won for Best Song in 1960 with
"NEVER ON SUNDAY", as actress Melina Mercouri gave a fine performance plus the
beautiful Greek photography, Faith's arrangement for this is exhilarating.

Let's talk about the stand outs ~ "GONE WITH THE WIND"(1939-Steiner), based on
Margaret Mitchell's novel with Rhett Butler(Clark Gable), Scarlett O'Hara(Vivien Leigh-won
for Best Actress), Mammy(Hattie McDaniel-won for Best Supporting Actress), Victor
Fleming(won for Best Director) and GWTW(won for Best Picture), Steiner was nominated
for Best Score, it was Steiner's score that gave each character life through his epic-sweeping
soundtrack, Faith writes an uncanny arrangement and travels beyond Steiner's original(if that's
possible) take it from me, I have both in my collection...another Steiner classic "THE DARK
AT THE TOP OF STAIRS"(theme), not a familiar release(only if you're a fan), but Faith
does so much with this one, counterpoints and melodic changes are
event..."LAURA"(1944-David Raksin), being a film-noir enthusiast is at the top of my list as a
CLASSIC, but let's not stop there, Faith's arrangement turned heads and he was getting the
recognition deserved, sweeping strings, brass and percussion almost collide as the Maestro
gives the signal...the last Steiner score became one of Percy Faith's signature tunes "THEME
FROM A SUMMER PLACE", couldn't go anywhere and not hear this CLASSIC among
CLASSICS, this arrangement and special moment in ones life will never be replaced, gotta
love it.

Highlight pick is ~ "TEMPTATION", big song for Bing Crosby(film), later by Perry
Como(gold record), but this instrumental orchestration is so dynamic, takes you into another
stratosphere(which is nothing for our Maestro)..."BEGIN THE BEGUINE"(Cole Porter),
opening almost sounds like a different song, but when Faith's string section comes in and the
bolero beat takes over you're in heaven, entire orchestra is right on, but wait and listen to the
mood-swing as the plucking of strings change into a drifting cloud, percussion abounds with
every instrument joining in the big finish..."THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC"(Arlen/Mercer),
echoing strings relate to a muted brass, each string section takes on the harmonious
counter-balance, now we build into a Latin-American rhythmic tempo(which Faith can do in a
heartbeat), strings answer each call from the brass and percussion sections, another FAITH
CLASSIC...my last highlight pick is ~ "SOPHISTICATED LADY"(Duke Ellington), this can
only get better with one of my composer-heroes Duke Ellington, how can you interpret his
music unless you're Percy Faith, and this interpretation is lustiest with strings, followed by
velvety brass and the sound is SO SWEET, you want it to go on forever...and through the
generosity of Collectables Records it can, this is a must have for ALL fans and connoisseurs
of "Our Man From Canada" ~ PERCY FAITH!

Total Time: 77:52 on 23 Tracks ~ Collectables Records COL-5843 ~ (1997)

As you probably know, it's hard to always be topping your self. In this particular case, Percy bless his heart, tried to measure up to past successes, but came up a little short.

For this record the song selection was a little weak. Percy tried to record too many of the current hits of the time and wound up with less than desirable results. I would have preferred that he stick with the golden standards, that he plays so well. As far as the golden hits that he played on this cd, he did a great job with them.

I Can Recommend This Cd To You

I yield to no one in my admiration for Percy Faith, but this collection comes up short from my point of view. Too many of the tunes just refuse to gel in Faith's orchestrations. Jalousie was a great hit for Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, both in the 1930's and in stereo in the '60's. I can recommend their version wholeheartedly. Faith's orchestration of the tune is loosely organized and overly fussy, although not without some interest. There are some good numbers on the movie album. Tara's Theme is well done, and Never on a Sunday is deliciously perky. Faith's big hit, Theme from A Summer Place, is included, and it truly is an evergreen. The Theme from The Apartment also is well done. Unfortunately, those are the only tunes that stand out on this CD. I would recommend it only to Percy Faith completists, among whom I must count myself.