Search - Sandro and Paola, Vincenzo di Taccani, Edith Piaf, Yves Hubert Giraud :: Continental Encores

Manhatten Lullaby--the Past Revisited

R. Pleasants | Virginia | 03/28/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Back in the mid 60s while stationed at Bolling AFB a friend gave me an LP by Mantovani entitled "All Time Romantic Hits/Mantovani by Mantovani. I went to sleep every night listening to it. Manhatten Lullaby was my favorite song on the album. For some reason I had not listened to it for forty-four years. I went on line recently and found Continental Encores and bought it because "Manhatten Lullaby" was one of the titles. I was not disappointed. The rest of the CD was great. It possesses a wonderful, full, rich string sound and almost talks to you. If you have imsomnia purchase this CD and listen to "Manhatten Lullaby" when you go to bed."

Musical Magic from the World and the World's Capital.

Thomas E. DeJulio | Bronxville, NY USA | 07/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fulfilling the wishes of Mantovani fans around the world, Vocalion continues to release the entire catalog of original Mantovani recordings. The latest two-on-one CD takes a musical tour of the world and its capital, New York City. Continental Encores was one of Mantovani's best and most loved LP, featuring his unforgettable lush string sound on such immortal world hits as "Autumn Leaves", "La Mer", and "La Vie En Rose"; "Anema e Core" and "Come Prima". In addition to these marvelous French and Italian melodies performed in Mantovani's incomparable style, there is a dramatic arrangement of "Mutterlien", the song made popular by Nat King Cole and Petula Clark as "Answer Me", made even more distinctive and memorable by Mantovani's use of the soprano saxophone. In addition, Mantovani's longtime gifted arranger, Cecil Milner, simply outdid himself on the Eddie Fisher hit, "O Mein Papa". Continental Encores has been unavailable for two generations, but these tracks will surely entice even the skeptics to "listen" and realize that Mantovani did not make "elevator music", but rather, created ethereal sounds that lifted human emotions and moods without lyrics. Quite appropriately, these continental favourites are coupled with the diverse sounds of Manhattan, where we can tap to Cohan's "Give My Regards to Broadway", take a clanging whirl on Duke Ellington's "A-Train", waltz with the "Belle of New York", shed a tear for Bernstein's "Maria and Somewhere", hear the Neopolitan origins on Mantovani's jangle piano version of the "The Bowery", and enjoy the Latin percussion and tenor sax featured in the "Harlem Nocturne." This CD presents a delightful musical journey around the world without the hassles of airports and luggage. Secure this CD, and relax and hear the musical world Maestro Mantovani created for his fans nearly 50 years ago!"