Search - Monica Mancini :: Monica Mancini

"Dear Heart, Wish You Were Here . . ."

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 01/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""It seems only natural to create a recording of my father's music. It is as much a part of me as I am a part of him." ~ Monica Mancini ~



"Dear Heart," "Moon River," "Two for the Road" and "Days of Wine and Roses" are my very favorites from one of the greatest composers of all-time, Henry Mancini. The first two are some of the tunes I loved playing on piano. Coming from a legitimate musically-oriented family, I remember when I was growing up, our home was literally filled with music day in and day out. My late parents enjoyed listening to music together and had listening sessions almost every night. My sisters and I used to hang around and listen with them. One of our many family favorites back then was (and still is) the wonderful music of Henry Mancini.



I'm so glad that Monica Mancini continued her late father's musical legacy and recorded a tribute album and dedicated it to her parents. This is her debut CD and I would say it is utterly flawless and fabulously done. The perfectly chosen repertoire is a pleasure to listen to.



It starts off with her beautiful version of Johnny Mercer-penned-lyrics and composed by Henry Mancini, my favorite "Moment To Moment," showcasing Ms. Mancini's graceful voice and impeccable phrasing. Its Bossa Nova-inspired-arrangement by Patrick Williams is so sweet and dreamy. I loved it!



Henry Mancini/Jay Livingston/Ray Evan's "Dear Heart" is simply a beautiful song and my top choice from this set. It is a wistful, affecting song that was made even more heart-wrenching and tear-jerker with her perfect, heartfelt and emotive singing and the lone guitar accompaniment by a fine guitarist, George Doering. (I transcribed the following lyrics as sang by Monica Mancini. There is a slight change from the original wordings).



"Dear heart, wish you were here

To warm this night

My dear heart, seems like a year

Since you've been out of my sight

A single room, a table for one

It's so lonesome here tonight

If I could kiss you hello

At our front door

My dear heart

I want you to know

You'll leave my heart nevermore

You'll leave my heart nevermore"



On this gem of an album, Henry Mancini's charming music was immortalized with Ms. Mancini's fresh, smooth and impressive interpretations. There's a glow in her voice and she exudes warmth and affection to each song.



This is a great CD. Very highly recommended for your listening pleasure.

"

A Magnificent Mancini

classicmoviefan | Rancho Mirage, CA | 06/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Monica re-captures the romantic and silky vocals of the past yet her arrangements and meticulous phrasing are totally unique and fresh... unlike anyone else, past or present. "Slow Hot Wind" is as seductive a cut as you could ever find. "Moment to Moment" and so many other songs here are as if I am hearing them for the first time. This is pure allure, romance and sensuality. I play this CD several times a week and always hear something new in it. In fact, all of her albums are consistantly passionate and dreamy. This is a great singer, in my opinion, because she honors the song first. As a true classical musician performs a piano piece in the tempo and timbre as written by the composer, Ms. Mancini sings these songs clearly, giving the RIGHT word the accent or emotion to display the beauty of lyric and melody. NO "vocal gymnastics" here.... here are great songs as the composer would have wanted them heard.... and yet she gives us perfect phrasing and style to make these songs her own. Wow!I am hoping she will make more songbooks, as Ella Fitzgerald did years ago, that honor particular songwriters. She already has Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer tributes.... how about Burt Bacharach, Antonio Carlos Jobim and George Gershwin? If Monica continues to bring her stylings, arrangements and pure class to CD, then all this and more is possible. I have faith she will. What a treasure!"

One Of My Favorite CDs From One Of My Favorite Singers

Stephanie Gwinn | Mount Hope, WV USA | 10/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Monica's voice is just beautiful and so is the music on this CD. There isn't one bad song on it. I don't see how anyone could hear this and not love it. Monica's vocals are classy and elegant. My favorite is "Anywhere The Heart Goes" (Meggie's Theme From The Thornbirds). This song was always one of my favorite instrumentals and I never knew it had words until I heard Monica sing it. I love the song even more with the lyrics and Monica's smooth vocals. If you love beautiful music and vocals you won't be disappointed with this excellent CD."