Search - Henry Mancini :: Symphonic Soul

The Wait is Over!

Dr. Luis Olivari | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 01/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It has been a long wait (over 20 years) to have this excellent collection in a CD transfer. I own the LP and it still sounds great. I take great care of my old vinyls and this one I did copy to CD about one year ago when I bought my first CD recorder, but of course the wait continued for a transfer from the original masters.
This is Mancini at his best. The dynamics of the recording emulates the forecoming digital era. Peter Gunn (extended version) and African Symphony are just great. Highly recommended.
I remember watching on TV a Henry Mancini special show where many of these songs were played, including African Symphony. I wonder if it will be transfered to DVD in the near future. I was somewhat dissapointed when I listened to African Symphony; it is a different take from that in the LP! The ending from this track is different. I wonder why the producer of this CD-transfer decided on this take (no explanation given). I prefer the original one (the one in the LP version). Of course, we must also assume that the LP take was the one that Mancini himself was pleased with. Nevertheless, the sound is still great and the CD still deserves five stars. PS: I'll still keep my own CD transfer from the original LP (four stars for sound quality) and hope for a near-future CD-transfer from the tape masters, with all the tracks as originally released in the LP version."

I've Waited 20 Years!

Edward V. Somers | Aiken, South Carolina United States | 01/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with Dr. Olivari's review; this is a fabulous CD! I too copied my LP onto CD about four years ago (along with my LP of Mancini's Debut album). I have enjoyed it but wanted better quality sound. Now I have both on CDs and couldn't be happier. The sound quality of the Peter Gunn Theme is fabulous. This version of Peter Gunn is by far the best I have ever heard. It's as though Mancini turned the arranging over to a world class jazz trumpeter and asked him to make it a signature piece. The bass and brass are incredible! I also prefer the version of the African Symphony on the LP. The ending is more Mancini. I have added the Original African Symphony to the copy I keep in my car."