Days Of Wine And Roses

Vibraphonist Joe Locke offers a fresh look at works by Henry Mancini on this release, as he leads a powerhouse quartet that includes pianist Billy Childs, bassist Eddie Gomez, and drummer Gene Jackson. His dramatic and spacious treatment of one of Mancini's most beloved works, "Moon River," gives the oft-recorded song a very new sound, while another frequently played number, "Days of Wine and Roses," begins with a dreamy introduction before progressing into a head-shaking hard bop arrangement. "Charade" is another well-loved movie theme that gets a thorough revamping; in Billy Childs' chart the piano alternates between a swirling line that contrasts with the leader as he plays its theme with a straight-ahead bop segment. But the group is not content just to stick to Mancini's best-known songs; "Loss of Love" is a straight-ahead ballad nailed on the first take, while "Whistling Away the Dark" showcases Eddie Gomez's lovely arco bass. When one combines great compositions and inventive, talented musicians such as the member of the Joe Locke Quartet, the results have to be highly recommended.

Andy's long-awaited memoir is coming out this fall, so what better time to revisit the perfectly-crafted pop songs he's recorded throughout his five decades in the music business? This career-spanning compilation consists of 18 songs, and every one's a classic: Moon River; Speak Softly Love; Can't Get Used to Losing You; Butterfly ; the first-time stereo release of the stirring arrangement of Battle Hymn of the Republic he performed at Robert F. Kennedy's memorial service; the rare single One Day of Your Life; Born Free; (Where Do I Begin) Love Story; The Village of St. Bernadette; Days of Wine and Roses; It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year , and more.

This budget-priced 2009 collection from the venerable composer and conductor may only scratch the surface, but its 19 tracks, which include Mancini staples like "The Pink Panther Theme," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "Moon River," "Days of Wine and Roses," "Peter Gunn," and "Theme from Love Story," serve as an excellent highlight reel, even with the cruel omission of "Baby Elephant Walk."

Nights of Ballads & Blues is the third album by the jazz pianist McCoy Tyner, released on the Impulse! label in 1963. It features performances by Tyner with Steve Davis and Lex Humphries. The jazz critic Harvey Pekar said in his August 29, 1963, review for Down Beat magazine, "Tyner's playing has many virtues, but one in particular is his tastefulness. There is nothing trivial about his music; he is, to quote an often used phrase, a 'musician's musician'."

5 CD Box Set featuring all the greats of cool jazz and easy listening. 114 Tracks.

5 CD Box Set featuring all the greats of cool jazz and easy listening. 114 Tracks.