Different Gleason
Sean Bond | London United Kingdom | 01/16/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Jackie Gleason tried all sort of arrangements for his music: lush strings, big band brass, mandolins (Lonesome Echo), or, in this case flute. The presence of tens of flutes instead of the usual strings creates a wonderful sound, both familiar and yet original. Another great, different Gleason album."
Gleason continues to entrance,this time with the emphasis on
Robert Badgley | London,Ontario,Canada | 09/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Night Winds" is the last Gleason album that would enter the top ten on the charts.It was just like Jackie to think up a new angle for his next album and this time 23 flutes(some sources state 24),along with the usual orchestral accompaniment,take the melody front and center.The sound ebbs and flows with the rich flute sound riding on the back of the orchestra.There are some great tunes here such as"If I Should Lose You","That Certain Party",You are too Beautiful","Good Night Sweet Nightingale","Love Locked Out",The Touch of your Lips" and many more.
Again Collector's Choice has transferred these songs beautifully and the sound is excellent.The original cover art and back cover notes are included along with nine bonus tracks recorded around the same time as "Night Winds" but not included on the original album.
It's interesting to read the liner notes included with this CD.One glaring error I discovered states that Gleason's music "....never rose above a languid pace".While Gleason is certainly known for his wonderful but slower paced songs there are a myriad of examples that would argue that this wasn't ALWAYS the case;the album "Away we Go" a prime example. Mr.Osborne,the author of the liner notes,must have missed the very last track on this CD called "Too Much Mustard".It begins with the fade in of voices in a crowd,then the jolly and upbeat music of a parade/circus,with the constant pounding of a big bass drum.It is totally out of step and so unlike the other tracks and the resultant mood and feel of them,that I wonder why it was even included.It belongs more as an addition to the aforementioned album "Away we Go" than here."Languid"....indeed!
Despite that very minor drawback this album is a great addition to any collector of "The Great Ones" musical endeavours.The sound is great and all the original cover work is there.Slip it into your player with your loved one beside you,and let Jackie do the rest."
Windy Gleason wears a little
Robert John Metz | Woodland, CA , USA | 11/14/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Gleason produced a fine album here, but the arrangements get somewhat repetitive when the CD is listened to straight through. Since these arrangements are unique compared to his other recordings, they work best when sprinkled among his other recordings using a "random play" technique on a multi CD player. Then, they shine. Enjoy! Pick up the new "complete Hackett sessions" to accompany this disc."