Search - Frank Chacksfield :: Mediterranean Moonlight / Lovely Lady

Smooth

David Saemann | 04/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I feel a little awkward about reviewing an album that sells for $150 used. I got my used copy for $8. So I'm aiming this notice at Frank Chacksfield fans in general. This is an absolutely lovely set. The 1957 monaural sound engineering, as transeferred by Vocalion, is absolutely gorgeous, beautifully balanced with glorious tone quality. Mediterranean Moonlight is a sort of suite made up of Continental standards. It's not unusual for the arranger to start off by prefacing a song with something like O Sole Mio and then launching into something else. The Isle of Capri and The Carnival of Venice are typical of the bill of fare, arranged with subtlety and a wash of colors. Lovely Lady is more standard Chacksfield, a collection of tunes by Jimmy McHugh. The arrangements here are somewhat string heavy, but with such luscious playing no one should mind. The big romantic numbers, like I'm in the Mood for Love, are real heart tuggers. This is a Lovely Way to Spend an Evening is more wistful, and there is a real balance from one song to another. While I don't recommend spending $150 for this, if you somehow can get your hands on it for a reasonable price, I'm sure it will provide much enjoyment."

Music to re-kindle old memories

Eric Reed | Melbourne Australia | 08/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"These two vinyl albums beautifully transfered to CD come from the period when music was music. They don't do it like this anymore. Enjoy."