Title: MANTOVANI COLLECTORS 2	From: Vocalion
Track (year) 1. TANIA (60) 2. SAIL AWAY (61) 3. SUMMER NIGHT (62) 4. SOMEONE NICE LIKE YOU (62)  5. FAR AWAY (62) - 6. MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (62) - 7. LOVE SONG FROM MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (62) - 8. ONLY YESTERDAY (58) - 9. NON DIMENTICAR (61) - 10. THE CHURCHILL MARCH (64) - 11. IN THE SPRING (60) - 12. RED PETTICOATS (67) - 13. RICKSHAW (62) - 14. A GIRL NAMED TAMIKO (63) - 15. JAPANESE LULLABY (69) - 16. WILLOW TREE (68) - 17. GAMES THAT LOVERS PLAY (66) - 18. THE WORLD'S A LOVELY PLACE (62) - 19. LOVE THEME FROM THE CARBETBAGGERS (64) - 20. TARAS BULBA (63) - 21. MARCH IN 3/4 (68) - 22. GREENGAGE SUMMER (61) - 23. ANTHONY & CLEOPATRA (63) - 24. THE ORANGE VENDOR (60) - 25. WHERE SHALL I FIND HIM (61) - 26. TEDDY BEAR'S PICNIC (52) - 27. LET ME BE LOVED (57)	Notes (from Colin MacKenzie): 1. Lively Mantovani composition which introduced 1960 UK and USA tours. From Decca single F 11264, not issued in USA. 2. London single 2021, not issued in Britain. From Noel Coward's "Sail Away". 3. - Quintessential Mantovani - close your eyes and dream! From F 11500, not issued in USA. See the Jukebox above to hear a sample of this piece. According to Don Southwell and Rich Cox, it is "quintessential Mantovani." 4. London 9552, not released in Britain. From the show "Stop The World - I Want To Get Off." 5. F 11468, not issued in USA. From Lionel Bart's "Blitz". 6. Stirring film theme, F 11530, not issued in USA. 7. F 11530, not issued in USA. Beguiling theme with tom-tom imitating the waves beating against the coral reef. 8. F 11068/London 1823. An unforgettable Mantovani composition with the author on piano. 9. Classic Italian theme played beautifully by Norman Barker on sax. London 1983, only previously available in USA. 10. Decca EP STO 8575/London single 9674. 11. Lush Continental theme, issued on F 11216/London 1927. 12. This stereo version was issued on the American "Tango" album (PS 532), but not on its British equivalent. It's by Mantovani, first recorded in 1952 in mono. 13. Another Mantovani composition, from F 11500, not released in USA. 14. A British only single, F 16111. 15. The first of four unissued tracks. A beautiful ethereal theme by Mantovani. 16. From F 12810/London 20040. 17. Repeated here for British listeners who never had this in stereo 18. Not previously released. From Lionel Bart's "Maggie May." 19. Decca EP STO 8575/London 9674. A haunting theme.  20. Another British only single, F 11611. 21. Unreleased upbeat Mantovani composition. 22. US only single, London 2000. 23. British only issue on Decca EP STO 8575. 24. A Mantovani composition from British only single F 11216. 25. Unreleased Noel Coward piano and orchestra piece from "Sail Away". 26. A real symphonic gem, believe it or not! Ultra rare track from US only issue London 1253. 27. -
A second volume of Mantovani rarities (Vocalion CDLK 4233) has just been issued to complement the first volume (CDLK 4152) issued back in 2002. This latest collection is perhaps even more valuable than its predecessor in that the majority of tracks are in stereo. As previously there are unnissued pieces and undiscovered delights, and virtually all have never appeared before on LP or CD. Here's a brief run-down of what's available, also - exclusive to this site - details of where the pieces came from.  - Superb climax featuring Stan Newsome on trumpet; this version was issued only in Britain on F 10935. Look out for the sing-a-long-a-Monty portion of "Tania" - it occurs about 2 minutes 19 seconds into the piece, my audio friends tell me there's definitely someone humming there, and surely it can only be the conductor! I would say that this CD is indispensible for any true Mantovani fan, but then I would say that, I compiled it! For sheer class and quality the master of mood music takes some beating. Here is the evidence. Colin MacKenzie   From Mantovanian Rich Cox:   I have just received the Collector 2 CD within the past 24 hours and I am absolutely thrilled with it! I hardly know where to begin so I'll start from the top. The first piece on the CD, "Tania," a Mantovani composition, is a wonderful leadoff piece. Its gypsy flavor is evident throughout and again confirms what we already know, Mantovani was a gypsy in his former lifetime...well perhaps NOT...but the gypsy mystique is wonderfully prevalent in this unique tune and it emanates forth in heart and soul. It alone is worth the price of the disc. "Sail Away" is a jaunty Noel Coward melody and in less than 2 minutes Monty's got you in the mood...to, well, sail away!  My oh my! Then there's "Summer Night," a quintessential Mantovani piece if there ever was one!  It's lilting melodic line and the inimitable "sound" juxtaposed with the rubato timing make this one of my all time favorites. The sweeping upward cascading crescendo at the end is truly as "Mantovani-esque" as you can get! "Someone Nice Like You" is a simple but lovely piece that definitely brings back that wonderful musical from which it came, "Oliver, Stop The World I Want To Get Off!" Having taken a moment to get off a far too fast spinning world Monty takes us "Far Away" with the Mike Sammes Singers!  Those heavenly voices along with Mantovani's heavenly strings completely take us to a far away peaceful place. Our reverie is short lived and we now find ourselves taking a musical trip to Tahiti with the very stately "Mutiny On The Bounty" followed by "Love Song From Mutiny On The Bounty: Follow Me."       My suspicions are confirmed yet again. Mantovani could have made a handsome living just composing and playing music from the films. I've never been to Tahiti but I'm now packing my bags after listening to these two gems! We collect ourselves from our imaginary trip to the islands to find ourselves musing along in a blissful state with another	Mantovani composition, "Only Yesterday." Then a quick trip to the land of Monty's birth, Italy. The Norman Barker saxophone solo is a wonderful treatment to that unforgettable Dean Martin-made-famous-tune, "Non Dimenticar." Very smoooooth indeed!  We are suddenly awakened to the rousing  "Churchill March" and can easily visualize this titan of the 20th century marching onto the world stage. "In The Spring" is another masterfully Mantovani arranged piece that takes you to a lovely place of serenity. "Red Petticoats," a rousing tango, captures the Latin mood Monty was so fond of creating. It is another compositional masterpiece embodying all the robust energy of our southern hemisphere neighbors.      The Mantovani composition, "Rickshaw," captures the flavor of "east meets west" where the oriental and occidental cultures merge to create quite a well-orchestrated cacophony of sound. Following in the same oriental motif is a lovely tune, "A Girl Named Tamiko," which is a very heartwarming melody. Another Mantovani composition, "Japanese Lullaby," is a very tender and lovely oriental flavored selection. Give this one a 10! "Willow Tree" is a waltz that sounds as if it could have come right out of Germany. Light and breezy and easy on the ears. "Games That Lover's Play" has long been a favorite here in America but has heretofore never been recorded on compact disc. Monty uses a rousing guitar solo never heard before or since on any of his recorded discs. "The World's A Lovely Place" is another light and breezy waltz that is so familiar to the aficionado of Mantovani. Another movie tune, "Love        Theme From The Carpetbaggers," features a fine trombone solo with all the pathos of love discovered and lost. Why this never made it onto one of Monty's 50 plus best-selling vinyls during his lifetime will forever remain a mystery. The same could as well be said of "Taras Bulba," a heart-rending melody that is as beautiful piece as one could ever hear Maestro Mantovani play. The virtuoso violin solo interspersed with accordion makes this a forever memorable Mantovani treasure! Perhaps the most unique piece on the entire CD is "March in 3/4" another Mantovani composition. It is said to have been inspired by Dave Brubeck's "Take Five." It has all the flavor of a militant march but in 3/4 time!  Another bright and cheery piece, "Greengage Summer," has a very European flavor to it as one can visualize a Parisian cafe overlooking the French Riviera. Mantovani's film credentials are once again strengthened by the powerful and moving "Anthony And Cleopatra." This rendition would have assuredly been a credit were it the original movie soundtrack. "The Orange Vendor" is the last of the 7 Mantovani compositions featured and what a finale it is with its Latin tango rhythm.  "Where Shall I Find Him?" is another Noel Coward masterpiece and the piano solo (could this be Mantovani himself?) is a wonderful tribute to one of Monty's notable contemporaries. What child of the 50's could NOT have heard "Teddy Bear's Picnic!" Monty's rendition is every bit as good as any you will ever hear of this children's classic. You will even be treated to Mantovani's new-found overlapping string sound in one brief section! And....drum roll...the final selection on this gorgeous array of Mantovani gems features the truly inimitable trumpet stylings of Stan Newsome ("Around The World" fame) and is a fitting tribute to "Stan, the man with the golden horn!"   In conclusion you could not find a more beautiful collection of heretofore unheralded Mantovani pieces spanning from 1952 ("Teddy Bears Picnic") to 1969 ("Games Lovers Play"). To find them on one disc for under $20 US is the bargain of the new millennium. By all means go out and purchase this. Better yet go on line and order direct from Dutton Laboratories in England. The price is right and service to anywhere in the world is excellent.

 

Return to top Go to Shoppe

Title: MANTOVANI & HIS TIPICA ORCHESTRA PLAY AT THE CAFE CONTINENTAL	From Vocalion
1. Caramba (A Street In Havana)/ 2.  Please Believe Me/ 3. Tipica Stomp/ 4. I Have Lost My Heart In Budapest/ 5. Hear My Song, Violetta/ 6. Will You Remember (Sweetheart)/ 7. Picture Me In Paradise/ 8. Cuban Pete/ 7. Penny Serenade/ 9. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart/ 10. At The Cafe Continental/ 11. Havana Heaven/ 12. Could Be/ 13. Ti-Pi-Tin/ 14. Creole Lady/ 15. Serenade In The Night/ 16. Gypsy Violin / 17. The Dance Goes On / 18. Goodnight Angel/ 19. White Sails (Beneath A Yellow Moon) / 20. Raindrops (My Love Refrain)/ 21. O Balalaika/ 22. Did I Remember// 23. You're Laughing At Me/ 24. The Umbrella Man.	Album Notes (from Colin MacKenzie): There are five featured Mantovani At The Cafe Continentalvocalists: Stella Roberta (who was Mantovani's sister Remila), Hildegarde, George Barclay, Ken Crossley and Jack Plant. Mantovani's "sweet" band was one of the most popular touring outfits between 1936 and 1939, and you can see why in this CD. They were well-rehearsed and musically very competent. And there was the added bonus of having arranger Ronnie Binge on piano-accordion. It's a nice slice of vintage Mantovani beautifully re-mastered by Michael Dutton as part of his ever-burgeoning dance band series.   Used and New from  $13.20     Go to Shoppe
For anyone curious to know what Mantovani sounded like in the late 1930s here is the first ever exclusive compilation of his Columbia recordings on CD (Vocalion CDEA 6097). He actually recorded over 200 tunes for the label between 1935 and 1940 so let's hope we can get another volume out before too long.

Return to top Go to Shoppe

Mantovani also appears on two more Vocalion compilations just released. His accompaniment of Vera Lynn on the August 1958 film theme "Almost In Your Arms", only available until now on a rare American single, can be heard on "Come Back To Me" (CDLK 4205), a collection of 28 singles by Vera Lynn from 1951 to 1960.

And on the Lita Roza compilation "Keep Me In Mind - More Decca singles" (CDLK 4221), the rare "If Someone Had Told Me" and "Stars Fell On Alabama" with Mantovani and his Orchestra from April 1952 are included in a similar assembly of 28 tracks.

Return to top

Title: The Mantovani Scene and The Mantovani Sound	From: Vocalion (CDLK 4195)
1. Delilah/ 2. Those Were the Days/ 3. By The Time I Get To Phoenix/ 4. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang/ 5. Both Sides Now/ 6. A Man Without Love/ 7. Love Is Blue/ 8. Honey/ 9. If I Were A Rich Man/ 10. Come September/ 11. For Once In My Life/ 12. Les Bicyclettes De Belsize/ 13. Dear Heart/ 14. People/ 15. Charade/ 16. Fiddler On The Roof/ 17. Who Can I Turn To/ 18. Hello Dolly!/ 19. What Kind Of Fool Am I / 20. As Long As He Needs Me/ 21. I Have Dreamed/ 22. The Sweetest Sounds/ 23. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face/ 24. Climb Ev'ry Mountain.
NOTES (From Colin MacKenzie): The latest Two In One Vocalion CD "The Mantovani Scene/The Mantovani Sound" (CDLK 4195) has just been released in England. It comprises two of Mantovani's 1960s albums which have not been issued on CD until now. The first of these, "The Mantovani Scene" from early 1969, is a round-up of popular hits of the late 1960s, arranged for the most part by Cecil Milner and Roland Shaw.      Although little of the "tumbling" string sound is heard, the arrangements as always are first class and the album still sounds vigorous and fresh even though the material is from that particular period in the 1960s.  Among the highlights are a rousing version of "Delilah",   arranged by Roland Shaw, a whimsical "Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang" which always went down well in live concerts, the excellent pop song "A Man Without Love", the dramatic "Love Is Blue", and the impish "If I Were A Rich Man".      The one song on the album which was not a hit, Lena Martell's "Come September", is transformed into a delightful waltz by Mantovani.      For "The Mantovani Sound" from early 1965 Mantovani visited the familiar territory of film and stage. There are some familiar triumphs such as "What Kind of Fool Am I"	with its wonderful trumpet solo, perhaps by George Swift, the catchy theme from the film "Charade", "As Long As He Needs Me" from "Oliver!" and the magnificent anthem "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" from "The Sound Of Music", but some less known gems stand out as well such as the latin flavoured "The Sweetest Sounds" and the tender "I Have Dreamed".   The overall presentation is up to the usual Vocalion standard, and the notes are written by Scott Raeburn. The Mantovani Scene/The Mantovani Sound (Vocalion CDLK 4195): Delilah/ Those Were the Days/ By The Time I Get To Phoenix/ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang/ Both Sides Now/ A Man Without Love/ Love Is Blue/ Honey/ If I Were A Rich Man/ Come September/ For Once In My Life/ Les Bicyclettes De Belsize/Dear Heart/ People/ Charade/ Fiddler On The Roof/ Who Can I Turn To/ Hello Dolly!/ What Kind Of Fool Am I / As Long As He Needs Me/ I Have Dreamed/ The Sweetest Sounds/ I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face/ Climb Ev'ry Mountain.   Editor's note: you may order the album directly from Mike Dutton at DuttonDirect. Please tell them that you learned of the release on the Mantovani Fan Website. Thank you.

 

Return to top Go to Shoppe

 

MANTOVANI AND HIS ORCHESTRA PLAY STRAUSS WALTZES (Goldies GLD 63247)	From: IMC Music Ltd, Portugal, Also available as a London (Decca) Weekend Classic. The IMC CD does not include: A thousand and One Nights, Treasure Waltz, or Du Und Du (From the Fledermaus) found on the London CD. The IME Music CD does include the following tracks not found on the London CD: Gypsy Love Waltz, Tell Me You Love Me, Le Chaland Qui Passe, Vienna Blood, Artists Life, and You and You. New and used from $6.03   From London (Decca, a Division of Polygram, now part of Universal): Weekend Classics This CD is the one available in the shoppe.  Go to Shoppe
Tracks Goldies): 1. Blue Danube (see below) / 2. Roses From The South / 3. Vienna Blood / 4. Voices of Spring / 5. Artist's Life / 6. Tales From The Vienna Woods / 7. Emperor Waltz / 8. Morning Papers / 9. Accelerations / 10. You And You / 11. Wine, Women And Song / 12. Village Swallows. Bonus tracks: 13. Gypsy Love Waltz / 14. Tell Me You Love Me / 15. Le Chaland Qui Passe.	Tracks (London Weekend Classics): 1. Blue Danube (arr. Mantovani) 2. Voices of Spring (arr. Mantovani) 3. Roses From The South (arr. Milner) 4. Emperor Waltz (arr. Mantovani) 5. A Thousand And One Nights (arr. Milner) 6. Treasure Waltz (from The Gypsy Baron) (arr. Mantovani) 7. Village Swallows (arr. Mantovani) 8. Wine, Women, and Song (arr. Milner) 9. Accelerations Waltz (arr. Milner) 10. Tales From The Vienna Woods (arr. Mantovani) 11. Morning Papers (arr. Milner) 12. Du Un Du (from 'Die Fledermaus') (arr. Mantovani)
Hot on the heels of the recent CD "The original Mantovani and his Orchestra Charmaine" (discovered in London but of Portuguese origin) comes another selection of vintage mono material from the early 1950s, also made in Portugal.  This album, of Portuguese origin, distributed by IMC Music Ltd under license from Intermusic SA, features 10 Strauss waltzes from Mantovani's original 1952 LP, An Album Of Strauss Waltzes. The two omitted are Thousand And One Nights and Treasure Waltz From The Gipsy Baron; their replacements, Vienna Blood and Artist's Life, recorded at the same session, have been available only on EP until now. Mantovani later re-recorded these tunes in stereo with different musicians in 1958, but these original performances, arranged for the most part by Cecil Milner, are well worth getting hold of. Part of the problem is: how do you get hold of them?. So far copies have been located only in Japan! I am sure they must be available elsewhere and if anyone knows where we would all like to know. The bonus tracks are interesting if only for the first appearance on an album of any sort, LP or CD, of Tell Me You Love Me, an adaptation of On With The Motley from Puccini's I Pagliacci. This was the very first "New Sound" recording from 1951, arranged by Ronald Binge, and it is truly sensational! It was issued in USA on a 45 rpm single and EP, but because of copyright difficulties was not issued in the UK.	A big "thank you" to Japanese collector Mr Matsuo Toshimine of Yokohama City for advising me of this issue. Colin MacKenzie Editor's note: As soon as I can find a source for this very desirable Mantovani recording. I will publish it right here.  In my opinion, you will not hear Strauss better played than Mantovani, not even in Vienna on New Years Eve.  Wes   Reported by Don Southwell: George Elrick was Mantovani's personal manager for over 20 years. They only had a hand shake as their "contract", and they never had a cross word. Here's the anecdote, as Elrick told it, and it should especially touch your heart.   When Mantovani was to make his first appearance in Canada, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra was used. Rehearsal was going well, and Mantovani was quite pleased. Then came "The Blue Danube". Mantovani's orchestration incorporates a unique "bell like" effect in the high strings. When the orchestra played through that part of the orchestration, they suddenly stopped, all stood up, and applauded Mantovani. According to Elrick, it was a very touching gesture; unprecedented in his many years in entertainment.

Return to top Go to Shoppe

Title: The Original Mantovani & His Orchestra Charmaine.	This album is issued by IMC Music Ltd and licensed from Intermusic S.A. It is made in Portugal. Total playing time = 69.25. The competent notes - covering information which is well known - are by William Hogeland).
Tracks: 1. Charmaine/ 2. Just for a while/ 3. Greensleeves/ 4. Love makes the world go round/ 5. Dancing with tears in my eyes/ 6. Dear love, my love/ 7. Wyoming (Go to sleep my baby)/ 8. Under the roofs of Paris (Sous les toits de Paris)/ 9. For you/ 10. Kisses in the dark (Basi al baio)/ 11. Diane/ 12. Babette/ 13. Love here is my heart/ 14. Moonlight madonna/ 15. Lovely lady/ 16. Mexicali rose/ 17. Was it a dream/ 18. It happened in Monterey/ 19. Some enchanted evening/ 20. Gipsy Love waltz (The white dove from Gypsy Love)/ 21. La cumparsita/ 22. Tango della luna/ 23. Roses  from the south/ 24. Blue Danube	Notes: There is another Charmaine being offered that is not a genuine Mantovani and His Orchestra recording. The genuine recording has the cover to the left. Used and new from $7.99 Go to Shoppe
Reviews: While ferreting in the HMV store in London's Oxford Street recently, I came across a rather pleasant surprise in the shape of the above titled compilation. All of these tunes were recorded in 1951 and 1952 and for the most part were arranged by Ronald Binge. They form an impressive overview of the "Mantovani Sound" which swept America and elsewhere in the early 1950s.   At least 10 of the pieces came from Mantovani's first 12 inch album "An Album Of Favourite Waltzes" - the only ones missing seem to be "At Dawning" and "I Love You Truly" - and another 8 were included on Mantovani's LP"	An Album In Waltz Time". The presentation of these mono marvels is competent enough - they were probably dubbed from the original singles and albums - with the odd exception ("Just for a while" "struggles" to say the least), but it's a collection worth acquiring if only to hear what Mantovani did with that marvellous tune "Mexicali Rose". It's worth mentioning, too, that most of the selections are making their first appearance on CD. The bad news? There was just one copy in HMV, priced at £7.99. It's probably worth looking at HMV's web-site to see if they are stocking copies for Net buyers. Colin MacKenzie.

Return to top Go to Shoppe

Title: 20 Magical Favourites	From: (Label on the disk) Empress Recording Company.
Tracks: 1. A Man And A Women 2. Almost There 3. Unchained Melody 4. Windows Of Your Mind 5. And I Love You So 6. As Time Goes By 7. Begin The Beguine 8. Autumn Leaves 9. LaMer (Beyond The Sea) 10. Fly Me To The Moon 11. Love Story, Theme 12. Moon River 13. Secret Love 14. Three Coins In The Fountain 15. Strangers In The Night 16. What A Wonderful World 17. When I Fall In Love 18. Besame Mucho 19. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing 20. Theme From Exodus.	This CD was discovered by Mantovani Fan Roy Quady.       Used and New from $9.40        Go to Shoppe
This notice is posted because it is a genuine recording by Mantovani and his Orchestra and I hope sales will encourage other producers to consider the marketability of such recording gems.

Return to top Go to Shoppe

Title: A Mantovani Concert Original Recordings 1946-49	From: Naxos label (cat no 8.120516) New and Used from $5.20
Tracks (year): 1. Beyond The Sea (La Mer) (1947) (MP3)   , 2. Festival (1949), 3. The Legend Of The Glass Mountain (1949), 4. Tango Pizzicato (1948), 5. Swedish Rhapsody (1948), 6. The Red Sombrero (1947), 7. Out Of This World (1949), 8. The Bullfrog (1949), 9. The Dream Of Olwen (1948), 10. Madrugado (Daybreak) (1946), 11. Somewhere A Voice Is Calling (1949), 12. Skyscraper Fantasy (1948), 13. Night And Day (1946), 14. Prelude To The Stars (1946), 15. The Green Cockatoo (1946), 16. Jealous Lover (1949), 17. The Laughing Violin (1949). 18. El Toreador (1947)	Due for imminent release on the Naxos label (cat no 8.120516) is an 18 track CD entitled  which has been compiled by a Canadian musicologist David Lennick. The digitial noise reduction is by Graham Newton of Toronto. This issue complements two earlier Vocalion issues of Mantovani's 1940s orchestral recordings (details follow) and should be well worth looking out for. Among the highlights are Beyond the Sea, written by the French composer Charles Trenet who has just passed away at the age of 87, the Ronnie Binge compositions Madrugado and The Red Sombrero, the unique use of a musical saw on the Binge arrangement Somewhere A Voice Is Calling and the only recordings made by Mantovani of Skyscraper Fantasy and The Laughing Violin which were used by the large orchestra in several live concerts.
Mantovani's 1940s orchestral output has already been investigated in two issues on the English Vocalion label in 1999 and 2000. They are worth seeking out, too, because they show the maestro and arranger Ronnie Binge in tandem prior to the "New Sound" introduced in February 1951 with numerous titles which were never subsequently recorded by the Orchestra. Colin MacKenzie

Return to top Go to Shoppe

 

 

 

Title: The Golden Age of Light Music Mantovani - By Special Request	From: the Guild (Switzerland) Total no. of tracks = 26. Time 77.44.
Track (year): 1. Begin The Beguine (43); 2. Carriage And Pair (50); 3. Destiny Waltz (49); 4. The Way To The Stars (47); 5. Tropical (44); 6. Blithe Spirit - Waltz Theme (45); 7. Whirlwind (48); 8. September Nocturne (49); 9. The Timbalero (44); 10. Passing Clouds (48); 11. Blue Mantilla (48); 12. Flying Saucers (Bees In The Bonnet) (50); 13. El Choclo (Kiss Of Fire) (53); 14. Love Here Is My Heart (52); 15. When The Lilac Blooms Again (52); 16. Love's Roundabout (La Ronde De L'Amour) (52); 17. A Media Luz (53); 18. Poeme (My Moonlight Madonna) (52); 19. Love's Dream After The Ball (53); 20. Amoureuse (So Madly In Love) (53); 21. Chiquita Mia (53); Love's Last Word Is Spoken (52); 22. Blauer Himmel (53); 23. Suddenly (Im Chambre Separee) (53); 24. The Whistling Boy (53); The Agnes Waltz (52)	This CD is now available in the Fan Site Shoppe
The Mantovani disc is the 10th in the series which has set a very high standard so far for sound quality, presentation and selection of music. All of the series is currently available in the UK and like the Mantovani CD can be ordered from Guild Records or from the Secretary of the Robert Farnon Society, David Ades (e-mail address Mailto:david@rfsoc.freeserve.co.uk.)      So what's on the CD? Well, it's a sparkling selection from the 1940s and early 1950s combining both Mantovani's pre-"Charmaine" orchestra and the large string orchestra post-"Charmaine".      With audio restoration and remastering by Alan Bunting and notes by David Ades you can be sure that this CD is of the highest quality. "Begin The Beguine", the opening track, was Mantovani's signature tune in the early 1940s and this is a very pleasing version. "Carriage And Pair" which follows it is one of Mantovani's best pre-"Charmaine" pieces, a delightful cameo from the days of elegance. Mantovani and Ronnie Binge are  both represented by important compositions: Binge's "Whirlwind" is quite a rarity as are Monty's wonderful "September Nocturne", surely one of his best ever, and the lovely "Blue Mantilla" which until now has been one of the hardest of all Mantovani recordings to track down. For these three tracks alone the CD is worthy of purchase, but there are others from the pre-"Charmaine" era of equal importance, for example "Flying Saucers" also known as "Bees in The Bonnet", a fabulous showcase for pianist Arthur Sandford, and the ultra rare "Passing Clouds" which previews the intimate sound Monty and Ronnie Binge came up with in 1951.      The post-"Charmaine" numbers are pretty good, too. Here is the sound that made Mantovani famous in all its sumptuousness. The intimate sounds of "Love, Here is My Heart" are a prelude for the rest of the album. Other favourites of this particular reviewer from this later period are those lovely Continental waltz hits "When The Lilac Blooms Again", "Poeme", "Love's Dream After The Ball", "Love's Last Word Is Spoken" and "Amoureuse".      Gorgeous, every one of them ! There is something for all Mantovani lovers here and this important album should not be overlooked by any serious collector.      Incidentally, the Robert Farnon Society (http//www.rfsoc.org.uk ) exists for all lovers of light orchestral music and covers not only Robert Farnon's work, but Mantovani's as well, and all the other great light orchestras. the Society brings out an exemplary 80 + page glossy magazine, "Journal Into Melody", every three months, full of comment and CD reviews. The membership secretary is Albert Killman (Mailto:akillman@clara.co.uk). (Tell them we sent you!, Ed.)   Colin MacKenzie. Hmmmm, I wonder where I've seen the cover graphic before? To order, go to the Shoppe.

Return to top Go to Shoppe

 

Title: Tangos, Concertos & Other Light Music The Early Years	(Vocalion CDEA 6019):
1. Holiday For Strings, 2. Festival, Kashmiri Song, 3. El Toreador, 4. Lullaby Of The Bells, 5. La Cumparsita, 6. Skyscraper Fantasy, 7. Tango of Love, 8. Moontime, 9. The Alamein Concerto, 10. Tango Pizzicato, 11. Kisses In The Dark, 12. Swedish Rhapsody, 13. Arana De La Noche, 14. Beyond The Sea (La Mer), 15. Dedication, 16. Chiquita Mia, 17. Out Of This World, 18. London Fantasia	Go to Shoppe New and Used from $16.02
Reviews:

Return to top Go to Shoppe

Title: Tangos, Concertos & Other Light Music The Early Years Volume 2	(Vocalion CDEA 6044)
1. Romanesca, 2. Siboney, 3. Dance Of The Spanish Onion, 4. A Voice In The Night, 5. Tune In G, 6. Campane A Sera (Bells of the Evening), 7. Poem To The Moon, 8. The Windsor Melody, 9. El Choclo, Tell Me I'm Forgiven, 10. Tesoro Mio, A Thousand Kisses, 11. The Red Sombrero, 12. Nature Boy, 13. The Dance Of The Eighth Veil, 14. Song Of The Gaucho, 15. The Bullfrog, 16. Berceuse De Jocelyn, 17. Dancing Doll, 18. Caribbean Calypso, 19. Convoy, 20. Spitfire, 21. Madrugado (Daybreak)
Reviews: There is some slight overlapping between the Naxos compilation and the Vocalion CDs but this should not deter the serious Mantovani collector who will find so much to enjoy on all three CDs which, incidentally, are very competitively priced. All three have detailed discographical information and extensive inlay notes. Volume 2 of the Vocalion series is particularly noteworthy with several ultra-rare items taken from a private collection including a previously unissued item, the Binge-Mantovani composition Campane A Sera (Bells Of The Evening). Both of the Vocalion albums have been re-mastered to the highest quality so that these tunes can be heard in all their glory for the very first time. Colin MacKenzie

 

Return to top Go to Shoppe

Title: 48  All Time Favourites, Romantic Music of Mantovani"	Universal and Hunter music Two CD Release
CD1 1. The Green Leaves of Summer 2. Theme From Love Story 3. Secret Love 4. Que Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be) 5. Charmaine 6. Cara Mia 7. Moon River 8. La Vie En Rose 9. Swedish Rhapsody 10. Some Enchanted Evening 11. And I Love You So 12. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes 13. The Days Of Wine And Roses 14. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing 15. My Way 16. Tonight 17. Never On Sunday 18. Greensleeves 19. Alfie 20. High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) 21. The Windmills Of Your Mind 22. The Moulin Rouge Theme 23. As Time Goes By 24. My Foolish Heart CD2 1. Unchained Melody 2. When I Fall In Love 3. Strangers In The Night 4. Misty 5. Winter World Of Love 6. For Once In My Life 7. A Taste Of Honey 8. She 9. Welcome Home 10. Le Mer (Beyond The Sea) 11. Games That Lovers Play 12. Fly Me To The Moon 13. Love Is All 14. Little Green Apples 15. Love Letters 16. Summertime In Venice 17. Diane 18. Limelight (Terry's Theme) 20. Around The World 21. Try To Remember 22. Till 23. Almost There 24. I Wish You Love	(Recommended by Henry Mancini website owner and new Mantovani Fan, Fred Westerhof) This double CD was produced in the Netherlands by Universal and Hunter music and is available through: http://www.frontstage.com. I must admit it has a beautiful line up of selections and according to Fred, the audio is top quality. The Track Listings from the back cover are to the  right. The cover of this great CD collection is about the most beautiful I have ever seen. According to Fred the price in US Dollars will be about $16.65.  It looks like a good buy to me.
Note: I tried the link for FrontStage and found it is not working. I will continue to look for a source for the CD

Return to top Go to Shoppe

Title: Mantovani Ole" and "Latin Rendezvous	Vocalion CDLK 4113
Latin Rendezvous: 1. Malaguena / 2. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (long version) / 3. Be Mine Tonight / 4. Cielito Lindo / 5. La Paloma / 6. Siboney / 7. A Garden In Granada / 8. Perfidia / 9. Andalucia (The Breeze And I) / 10. La Golondrina / 11. Maria Elena / 12. Espana   Mantovani Ole: 1. El Relicario / 2. Adios / 3. Tico-Tico / 4. Ay-Ay-Ay / 5. Piccolo Bolero / 6. Mexican Hat Dance / 7. Jealousy / 8. Valencia / 9. The Green Cockatoo / 10. Spanish Gypsy Dance / 11. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (short version)/ 12. Carmen Fantasy	Used and New from $15.77             Go to shoppe
Reviews: Those long hot summer nights may be coming to an end here in England but at least we have the musical company of Mantovani and his Orchestra to take us into winter in a warm expansive mood. Thanks to Vocalion Records of  PO Box 609, Watford, Hertforshire WD18 7YA (www.duttonlabs.demon.co.uk) who have a licensing agreement with Decca Records we can once again enjoy the magic of Mantovani in its original form with two wonderful stereo albums from 1963 and 1965. It is almost impossible to believe that these are both nearly forty years old, so fresh and vigorous is the panorama of Latin melody on offer here.     Vocalion Records have already issued in a similar format double albums of Robert Farnon, Stanley Black, Frank Chacksfield and Edmundo Ros. All of these Decca fine artists enjoyed healthy sales in the 1950s and 1960s but they were dwarfed by Mantovani whose vast worldwide sales are impossible to calculate. But what to select from over 50 albums by the maestro? The choice has fallen happily on two classic collections which sit so comfortably together that the join between the two albums is seamless. At this stage of his recording career the maestro really was the "full Monty" with the cream of peerless British free-lance musicians to choose from, some thrilling orchestrations and an adoring public which recognised the maestro's feeling for his music. Add to this heady cocktail some of the most beautiful melodies from the Latin songbook and you have mood music perfection.      The story of how Latin Rendezvous came about is told elsewhere on this site: it resulted from a competition to select 12 new tunes for a Mantovani album. The winner was Mr. Angelo Ruggiero of New Jersey whose all-expenses-paid trip to London with his wife to meet Mantovani and attend a recording rehearsal was an unforgettable experience. The original selections for the American and British versions of Latin Rendezvous differed in track selection and running order, however. As heard here, the British LP offers American listeners the chance to hear two "new" tunes from the Mantovani locker, these being A Garden In Granada and La Golondrina. Among the lesser known tunes are Be Mine Tonight and Siboney which bear equal comparison with those Latin giants Malaguena, La Paloma, Perfidia, Andalucia and Maria Elena.        Mantovani Ole takes up where Latin Rendezvous left off with one important difference; it contains a memorable bolero written by Mantovani himself, Piccolo Bolero. More Latin gems such as Adios, Tico-Tico, Jealousy, Mexican Hat Dance and El Relicario are all in evidence with less well known nuggets such as The Green Cockatoo and Spanish Gypsy Dance. There is also a terrific Carmen Fantasy in which a medley of Carmen highlights brings this 24 piece collection to a dramatic finale. It's all wrapped up nicely in an attractive package which illustrates the original album covers and includes compact but well-researched notes by American expert Donald Southwell and his assistant Norbert Costello. There's also a well-deserved plaudit for Wes Stillwagon, the owner of this site.      Spectrum Records have recently issued a single format CD in England (844 994-2) which also includes the full British version of Latin Rendezvous. Additionally, there is a smattering of melodies from Mantovani Ole (El Relicario, Adios, Tico-Tico, Ay-Ay-Ay and Spanish Gypsy Dance) and three tunes of Italian ancestry (Arriverderci Roma, Poppa Piccolino and Anema E Core). This package is called Tico Tico: Mantovani Goes Latin! with an orphan chilli pepper adorning the front cover. The notes are provided by Daryl Easlea who, unlike some modern writers, has recognised the impact Mantovani made on our musical lives in the drab 1950s by making use of such phrases such as "international superstar", "synonymous with sophistication" and "a pioneer for mood music".      Both Vocalion and Spectrum with their different recording techniques have provided us with the first issues of original Mantovani albums on CD for quite a while. It would be nice to think that Mantovani fans everywhere would support these ventures so that the supply of more original albums on CD would follow. It is also worth drawing attention here to another 2-in-1 album released simultaneously by Vocalion this August. The name of Ronald Binge should be familiar to Mantovani fans everywhere: he, of course, was the orchestrator of Charmaine and several other early hits. Two of his string albums of the early 1970s have been re-packaged with notes by Mike Carey on Vocalion CDLK 4116 as by Ronald Binge and his Romantic Strings. The titles are Summer Rain and If You Were The Only Girl In The World.

Return to top Go to Shoppe

Title: CHARMAINE 25 ORIGINAL  MONO RECORDINGS 1940-1952	Living Era CDAJA 5500
1. Charmaine / 2. Jealousy / 3. Sous les toits de Paris / 4. La Cucaracha / 5. Wyoming / 6. Pavanne / 7. Diane / 8. Warsaw Concerto / 9. Caribbean Calypso / 10. Serenade (from The Student Prince) / 11. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes / 12. Adios Muchachos / 13. Mexicali Rose / 14. Holiday For Strings / 15. Greensleeves / 16. Hear My Song, Violetta / 17. Symphony / 18. Ramona / 19. Gypsy Legend / 20. Dreaming (Traumerei) / 21. The Legend of The Glass Monutain/ 22. Village Swallows / 23. La Mer / 24. I Live For You / 25. Some Enchanted Evening.	Used and New from $7.99     Go to shoppe
Reviews: This 2004 collection, just released in UK, is an interesting mixture of old and new, the old being material from the 1940s, the new being the "New Sound" of the early 1950s. Of the older material La Cucaracha and Pavanne from 1941, Serenade and Warsaw  Concerto from 1942, the latter originally issued in two parts, Hear My Song Violetta from 1945 and Dreaming from 1949 are making their first appearance anywhere on CD and are most welcome for that reason alone. Warsaw Concerto with Ivan Fosello on piano was a big war-time hit for Mantovani and one wonders why it has not been released on CD before. American listeners will no doubt applaud the inclusion of Morton Gould's catchy opus, Pavanne.   The "large orchestra" sound with its fractionally overlapping strings is also well represented. Virtually all of the melodies have not been released before in the UK, although most of them, except Ramona, Gypsy Legend, Symphony, I Live For You and Village Swallows were on the 2003 CD of Portuguese origin reviewed elsewhere on this site. One or two gremlins have worked their way into the datings of the tracks; I Live For You was not recorded in late 1953 as suggested, but in January 1954, thus making a bit of a nonsense of the album's sub-title, and Holiday For Strings comes from February 1944 rather than May. There are also one or two dodgy statements in the notes (Monty's father was NOT called Benedetto Paulo), but, in general, this CD, with transfers from 78s well up to standard, is warmly welcomed. It is distributed by Sanctuary Classics who have a large catalogue of "oldies". Colin MacKenzie

Return to top Go to Shoppe

Title: The Magic of Mantovani	Signature SIGNCD2256
Tracks: 1. Three Coins In The Fountain*, 2. When The Rose Of Tralee 3. Met Danny Boy (vocal Jack Plant), 4. Luxembourg Polka, 5. The Skaters Waltz, 6. The Midnight Waltz, 7. Tango De La Luna, 8. La Cumparsita, 9. Jamaican Rumba, 10. Swedish Rhapsody, 11. Charmaine*, 12. Moulin Rouge (Theme From)*, 13. Diane*, 14. Some Enchanted Evening*, 15. Come Back To Sorrento*, 16. Tipica Stomp, 17. Boomps A Daisy (vocal Ken Crossley), 18. Warsaw Concerto*, (Look At The Moon) 19. Oh Mama Mia (vocal Jack Plant), 20. Autumn Leaves*, 21 La Mer*.	Those marked * appear to be in stereo.
Reviews: A new CD  crept up on us unexpectedly as the year (2004) comes to a close. It was discovered by Mantovani fan Alan Dixon in a charity shop in Kendal in the north of England.      Signature has a number of CDs currently available, and this Mantovani one is a compilation of pieces dating from 1937 through to 1961. It's a novel compilation in that Mantovani's earlier dance material is mixed in with his large orchestra recordings, some of which are in mono, the others in stereo. It's thus a little incongruous to move from the stereo niceties of "Come Back To Sorrento" into Monty's 1937 swinger "Tipica Stomp". The two Jack Plant vocals have never previously appeared in either CD or LP format and are well recorded, as is most of this package, apart from the very occasional click which indicates that some of the material at least has been transferred from disc rather than original tapes. Unfortunately the composer credits on "Swedish Rhapsody" are given to Wildman rather than Alfven, and there are one or two other minor errors, but it's worth getting hold of, if only for the splendid photo of Monty on the CD cover.      The disc costs all of £2.99 in UK currency, is of 65.35 duration and is released by Fastforward Music Ltd, 1 Sorrel Horse Mews, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1LN (mailto:sales@fastforward.co.uk). British fans can locate this disc in the Doctor Barnardo's charity shops which are nationwide. So far I have not located it anywhere else. Colin MacKenzie Tell them that you learned of this CD on the Mantovani Fan Website

Return to top Go to Shoppe

Title: MANTOVANI OLD AND NEW FANGLED TANGOS & FOLKSONGS Around the World	From: Vocalion CDLK 4265
Old And New Fangled Tangos: (original US title "Mantovani Tango"): 1. Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets) / 2. Blue Tango / 3. Tango Delle Rose / 4. A New Fangled Tango/ 5. Music Box Tango / 6. Adios Muchachos / 7. Besame Mucho / 8. Hernando's Hideaway / 9. Blauer Himmel (Blue Skies) / 10. Takes Two To Tango / 11. The Rain In Spain / 12. The Orange Vendor //             Go to shoppe	Folk Songs Around The World: 1. Aura Lee / 2. Skip To My Lou / 3. The Streets Of Laredo / 4. Shenandoah / 4. The Blue-Tail Fly / 5. Red River Valley / 6. Oh! Susanna / 7. Au Clair De la Lune / 8. Frere Jacques / 9. Du, Du Liegst Mir Im Herzen / 10. Lieber Augustin / 11. Addio Napoli / 12. Rosa / 13. Greensleeves / 14. Where Love is Kind / 15. Early One Morning / 16. Annie Laurie / 17. Wi' A Hundred Pipers / 18. All Through The Night / 19. The Minstrel Boy / 20. Two Guitars / 21. Moon On The Ruined Castle / 22. Hava Nagila Used and New from $10.99
Notes: The Tango album from 1967 was compiled after a request from Japan for some more tangos. Mantovani and his producer Tony D'Amato decided upon a fresh approach: why not set some non-tango tunes to the tango rhythm? Although some traditional tangos were included, this novel approach made for a very interesting album. On the American version "Red Petticoats" was included, but in Britain we had an updated version of "Music Box Tango" which was never released Stateside.   "Folk Songs Around The World" is making its very first complete appearance on CD. One of Mantovani's lesser known albums from 1964, it's a real eye-opener with some glorious scores by those two stalwarts Roland Shaw and Cecil Milner who worked with Mantovani for over 20 years. The album is a many flavoured delight, using songs from ten countries. One of the most intriguing tracks is "Wi'A Hundred Pipers" which has a pipe band going across the sound stage from one speaker to the other. The arrangement is credited to Cecil Milner. and it's the only one of over 2,000 commercial recordings by Mantovani to exclude a violin!   The notes for the albums are informative and are carefully written by Norbert Costello and Scott Raeburn with contributions by Richard Cox, Delila Olsson and Nicholas Briggs.   Colin MacKenzie. From Tom DeJulio: "The soaring strings of the original orchestra led by the late great Mantovani are once again presented in this brand new Vocalion release of two of the maestro's masterpiece recordings first released in 1964 (Folk Songs) and 1968 (Tango). Folk Songs from Around the World will charm and excite listeners with melodies as diverse as Aura Lee (what Elvis sang as Love Me Tender) and the sizzling sounds of Hava Nagila. The highly disciplined orchestra under the baton of Mantovani perform spectacular arrangements of "Two Guitars" from Russia and folk songs from Japan, Europe,and the British Isles arranged with such artistry that they will readily evoke from each listener intense emotions. The splendid orchestrations found on the Tango tracks also evoke a variety of emotions, with Whatever Lola Wants, Hernando's Hideaway and Takes Two to Tango, offering playful amusement, and such tracks as Blue Sky, Orange Vendor, and Tango Delle Rose combining captivating tango rhythms with time honored melodies made ever more delightful by the unique, cathedral sound identified exclusively with Mantovani. In an interview at the time of the Tango album's release, the ever perfectionist Mantovani expressed his delight with the musical outcome,noting that he tried "blending fine melodies with exciting rhythms to produce a sound that is stimulating.." Acquire this two CD-set, and new and old Mantovani fans will know the maestro was right on the mark in his assessment of this incomparable musical journey."

 

Return to top Go to Shoppe

 

Title: MANTOVANI MUSIC FROM THE FILMS & FILM ENCORES	From: Vocalion CDLK 4255
Music From The Films: 1. Warsaw Concerto / 2. Serenata D'Amore / 3. The Dream of Olwen / 4. The Legend Of The Glass Mountain / 5. Story Of Three Loves (Rhapsody On A Theme of Paganini) / 6. Cornish Rhapsody //         Go to shoppe	"Film Encores" (original US title "Film Encores Vol 1"): 1. My Foolish Heart / 2. Unchained Melody / 3. Over The Rainbow / 5.  Summertime In Venice / 6. Intermezzo / 7. Three Coins In The Fountain / 8. Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing / 9. Laura / 10. High Noon / 11. Hi-Lili, Hi-lo / 12. September Song / 13. Theme From Limelight.
Notes:  Music From The Films (with Rawicz & Landauer) / Film Encores (Vocalion CDLK 4255) 70:18 Old And New Fangled Tangos / Folk Songs Around The World (Vocalion CDLK 4265) 75:00   "Music From The Films" was originally recorded in 1956 and was Mantovani's first stereo album. It has been re-issued due to public demand, as it has not been available on CD for quite some time. It includes various famous mini-concertos of the 1940s, the "Story Of Three Loves" from 1953 and Mantovani's own beautiful composition "Serenata D'Amore" which is certainly one of his finest. The album is an absolute classic of its type and was a million seller in its time. Utterly indispensible, it should form the bed-rock of any Mantovani collection.   The same could be said for "Film Encores" which features the glorious delayed string sound that took Mantovani to the pinnacle of achievement in the 1950s. It was originally released in a mono version in 1957 and then re-recorded for stereo in 1958 - this is the version you hear here. The album spent 199 weeks in the US album charts and was a no 1 best-seller. There are so many wonderful recordings to enjoy including a spectacular "Summertime In Venice" - just listen to Emilio on accordion ! - the haunting "Laura", "Unchained Melody ", the "Theme from Limelight", "Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing" and "Three Coins In The Fountain". In the opening track "My Foolish Heart" there is a tiny "glitch" after about 9 seconds - which is on the original tape - and is hardly noticeable; in no way should it affect your overall listening enjoyment of a wonderful album which has been sensitively remastered by Mike Dutton at Vocalion.

Return to top Go to Shoppe

 

Title: George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue by Mantovani and His Orchestra with Julius Katchen at the piano	From: Decca Decca (Heritage Series) Catalogue Number : 4756159 Released : September 13,  2004)
1. Concert For Piano and Orchestra in F Major 2. Allegro 3. Andante con moto 4. Allegro agitato 5. Rhapsody in Blue
I have an opinion on this recording: This is not my preference as a performance of the Gershwin masterpiece, Rhapsody In Blue. I personally do not like Katchen's playing although I know others who will disagree. Once you've listened to a performance of this piece by (let's say) Eddie Duchin, you may be spoiled regarding how the masterpiece should sound. I am sorry that I cannot locate a source for this recording to include a sample on this page. If I do, I will.  Wes Stillwagon, Webmaster If you have listened to these recordings and would like to publish a review on the website, please let me know. Thanks. In response to my request, the following response from David N. Lewis: "I wrote the review on the All Music Guide site, which is one of the sources used by Amazon. Alas, I cannot authorize to have review republished as I do not own it, but it may be read at:   http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=43:120693~T1   Bear in mind when reading my review that I am writing as a non-expert, American audience with strong prejudices towards rock music.        In short, I cannot entirely agree with your (Wes Stillwagon's) assessment of Katchen - he is quite good in the concerto, if impulsive. But the orchestral accompaniment, again for the Concerto in F, not the Rhapsody, is dynamite.      I think that enough of the 1920s remained in Mantovani that he really understood how the Concerto should work; unusual as the Concerto in F is one of Gershwin's least accessible pieces. It makes me wonder how Mantovani might have sounded in other kinds of jazz inflected contemporary music that he did not record; certainly if this is any indication of it, he was not as unsympathetic to it as Toscanini is said to have been.        With the Rhapsody in Blue, however, I wholly concur - this is not a good reading. While I certainly welcome the presence of Mantovani in the Decca Heritage series, and agree that he belongs there, this seems like an odd choice. Perhaps the presence of Katchen was the deciding factor for Decca UK - with their overhead, they would have to choose carefully to make it a justifiable and profitable re-release. But were it me, I would've gone with Monty's 1950s recordings of Christmas Carols or his Strauss Waltzes over this.   By the way are you aware of the Mantovani recording which is included on the Symposium disc "The Victory Bands"?   take care,   David N. Lewis Ann Arbor, MI, USA   One of the sources for this recording is http://www.musicabona.com/mantovani_and_his_orchestra/cd/index.html.en

MANTOVANI HOLLYWOOD, THE WORLD OF MANTOVANI

ISSUED ON VOCALION CDLK 4289

Two more later Mantovani albums appear on Vocalion's Two-In-One series, this

time "Hollywood" from 1967 and the US only "The World Of Mantovani" from 1969. The overall timing is 77.09. For the most part both encompass music

from the films and theatre, but there are a few of 1969's pop hits scattered about. Film buff Nicholas Briggs is on hand to provide details of the films

from where the themes are drawn and his interesting authorative comments support a very handsome package. Everybody will have their own particular favourites no doubt, but special mention should be made of the very "modern" "Lara's Theme", arranged by Roland Shaw, the haunting themes from the epics "Ben Hur" and "The Bible", the interesting presentation of "You Only Live

Twice" and "Goldfinger" from the James Bond movies and the unusual "Where Did Our Summers Go" from a little known 1968 French film. Add to those Lionel Bart's sumptuous bitter-sweet "Where Is Love" from "Oliver", the Milner adaptation of a Mozart theme from "Elvira Madigan" and the pop hits

"I'm A Better Man" and "Love Me Tonight", and you may realise that Monty is

on top of his game here, albeit in a more contemporary setting than before.

 

Track Listings:

Mantovani/Hollywood:

Born Free / Lara's Theme From Doctor Zhivago / Goldfinger / Ben Hur / A Taste Of Honey / This Is My Song / You Only Live Twice / The Magnificent Seven / Tara's Theme / Lawrence Of Arabia / Zorba The Greek / The Bible

The World Of Mantovani:

Where Is Love / The Windmills Of Your Mind / My Way / Theme From Romeo And Juliet / My Cherie Amour / Theme From The Virginian / Where Did Our Summers Go / Theme  From Elvira Madigan / I'm a Better Man / Aquarius / Quentin's Theme / Love Me Tonight

Both release announcements from Colin MacKenzie. Enjoy!

---

GUILD'S SECOND VOLUME OF MANTOVANI JUST OUT!

Following quickly on their first issue of Mantovani titles (GLCD 5110), Guild Light Music have wasted no time in getting together a second volume of "Mantovani By Special Request" (GLCD 5113).This latest album covers the period 1940 to 1951 and includes special rarities which have never been seen before on CD. The whole collection has been admirably restored and remastered by Alan Bunting, who is one of the leaders in his field, and the notes have been expertly compiled by David Ades, head honcho at the Robert Farnon Society.

 

Unfortunately Bob Farnon died recently, and no doubt there will be some tribute albums already on their way. Deservedly so, for he was one of the leading lights in the world of light orchestral music. Likewise, Mantovani, of course, who is well represented here by some magnificent pre-"Charmaine" music. Particularly noteworthy, is the rare very first large orchestra arrangement by Ronnie Binge, "Tell Me You Love Me" from early 1951 which is heard in all its poignant glory. This set the tone for the later recordings

of "Charmaine" and those other waltz favourites of the early 50s. Not to be missed. Among other highlights are Mantovani's own compositions "Mexican Starlight", "In Waltz Time" and "Tango De La Luna", a dazzling display on trumpet by Stan Newsome in "Gipsy Trumpeter", the beautiful "One Magic Wish" and "Love Is A Song" and an eight minutes plus version of "Concerto In Jazz" which is quite something to behold. This collection is one of the best yet of Mantovani's older material and should be acquired at any cost. Altogether 22 tracks. Colin MacKenzie

 

"Mantovani - By Special Request, Vol 2 1940-51" (Guild Light Music GLCD

5113):

Castiliana / One Night Of Love / Love Is A Song / Mexican Starlight /

Nights Of Gladness / Spanish Cocktail / Our Waltz / Siesta - A Rumba

Serenade / Song of Norway Selection / Valse Septembre / Tango Bolero / Tell

Me You Love Me / Hejre Kati / Gipsy Trumpeter / In Waltz Time / La Paloma /

Oh Mama Mama / One Magic Wish / The Spirit Of The Matador / Tango De La Luna

/ The Choristers / Concerto In Jazz.

 

ALL TIME ROMANTIC HITS / MANTOVANI BY MANTOVANI ISSUED ON VOCALION CDLK 4287

This fine double album from 1975 has just been released in CD format for the

first time by Vocalion (CDLK 4287). The "Romantic Hits" were recorded in Paris in late 1974 with French musicians and is one of the best of those late albums made at Sofrason Studios. Monty returns to those standards he had not previously recorded and of these, "Isn't it Romantic" and "You Were Meant For Me" are particular highlights. Interestingly, Monty also pays hommage in two entertaining medleys to two great recently deceased artistes,

Noel Coward, with whom he collaborated in the 1940s and early 1950s, and Maurice Chevalier, and these come off exceptionally well. The bonus album "Mantovani By Mantovani" featured ten of the maestro's own best known compositions and proves that he was no mean composer of light orchestral music. It's a long overdue reminder in his centenary year of his talent in

this direction. The CD is 65.45 in length and is a welcome addition to

Vocalion's blossoming catalogue of Mantovani CDs.

Track Listing:

All Time Romantic Hits:

Together / Deep Purple / The Very Thought of You /

Tribute To Maurice Chevalier: Gigi -Louise-Thank Heaven For Little Girls-Valentine / Isn't It Romantic /

Dearly Beloved / You Were Meant For Me / Tribute To Noel Coward: London Pride-Someday I'll Find You-Zigeuner-Mad Dogs And Englishmen-I'll See You Again

 

Mantovani By Mantovani:

Cara Mia / Manhattan Lullaby / Piccolo Bolero /

Serenata D'amore / Italia Mia / Midnight Waltz / Last Summer / Deserted

Shore / Our Last Affair / Theme For A Western

 

 

Return to top Go to Shoppe

copyright © 2005 Wesley W. Stillwagon, Sr. All rights reserved.