Movies & Moods: The Magic Of Mancini 1956-62 (CD) – Henry Mancini

Composer, arranger and conductor Henry Mancini is renowned for his involvement in music for the movies, none more so than his memorable and legendary collaboration with lyricist Johnny Mercer on “Moon River” for the classic Audrey Hepburn film “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”. However, he also wrote and recorded non-movie material for singles and albums, and this collection dips into both strands of his work during the early era of his recording career. This great-value 52-track 2-CD set comprises A & B sides of his s singles during these years on the Liberty, Coral and RCA labels, plus selected titles from his Liberty album “Driftwood And Dreams” and his RCA albums “The Blues And The Beat” and “Combo”, which included arrangements of pop standards as well as his own compositions. It features his hits from this era, including the Academy Award winning “Moon River” and “Days Of Wine And Roses”, plus the themes from “Mr. Lucky”, “The Great Impostor” and “Hatari”. Other movie and TV music featured in the set includes the themes from “Peter Gunn”, “The Brothers Karamazov”, “Experiment In Terror” and “Phaedra” plus “Baby Elephant Walk” from “Hatari”. It’s a fascinating and varied showcase for Mancini’s unique skill as a composer of screen music but also offers a window onto his wider contribution to popular music.

Track List

1. Main Title from Four Girls in Town
2. Cha Cha Cha for Gia
3. Hot Rod
4. Big Band Rock and Roll
5. The Long Hot Summer
6. Paris Holiday
7. Love Theme from “The Brothers Karazov”
8. Tana’s Theme
9. Fallout!
10. Dresville
11. Peter Gunn Theme
12. The Brothers Go to Mothers
13. Spook!
14. Timothy
15. Bijou
16. Let’s Walk
17. Mr. Lucky
18. Floating Pad
19. Big Noise from Winnetka
20. The Blues
21. High Time
22. The Second Time Around
23. Theme from “The Great Imposter”
24. Love Music
25. Fanny
26. My Cousin from Naples
27. Moon River
28. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
29. Experiment in Terror
30. Tooty Twist
31. Theme from “Hatari”
32. Your Father’s Feathers
33. Love Theme from “Phaedra”
34. The Days of Wine and Roses
35. Seventy Six Trombones
36. Poinciana
37. Bali Hai
38. Driftwood and Dres
39. Sleepy Lagoon
40. Ebb Tide
41. Smoke Rings
42. After Hours
43. Mood Indigo
44. The Beat
45. Tippin’ in
46. Sing Sing Sing
47. Moanin’
48. Dre of You
49. Castle Rock
50. Tequila
51. Everybody Blow!
52. Baby Elephant Walk