Martinis & Bikinis

Amazon.com
With Martinis & Bikinis, Sam Phillips has revitalized the "Beatlesque" category with some substantial songwriting and a woman's voice, which turns the whole sound upside down. The Beatles hardly exhausted the possibilities of their late-'60s sound, and Phillips has the hooks and aphorisms to give that sound a second lease on life. Phillips has rewritten two old Beatles songs into "Strawberry Road" and "Same Rain"; she has even recorded a John Lennon composition, "Gimme Some Truth." Phillips's husband, T-Bone Burnett, cowrote two of the songs and produced all 13, and he adds the Lennonesque touches of guitars recorded backward and sweet harmonized vocals pitted against distorted guitars. But none of this would matter if the songs weren't so good. --Geoffrey Himes

Martinis & Bikinis,Sam Phillips,Virgin Records,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Average customer rating: Tawny/Music, Martinis and Memories If you got the girl. This CD is the music. Live in a Joan Crawford Movie Music to relax to! Jackie Gleason "The Great One" @ Work

Tawny/Music, Martinis and Memories Jackie Gleason Manufacturer: Collector's Choice ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Music for Lovers Only/Music to Make You Misty The Romantic Moods Of Jackie Gleason Music to Remember Her The Best of Jackie Gleason How Sweet It Is! The Jackie Gleason Velvet Brass Collection ASIN: B000059LF9 Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

1. Girl, Boy, Dance, Affair
2. Little Girl
3. I Cover The Waterfront
4. Some Day
5. If I Had You
6. Once In A While
7. I Can't Get Started
8. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
9. My Ideal
10. Yesterdays
11. I Love You (Je T'Aime)
12. Unforgettable
13. How High The Moon
14. I'll Be Seeing You
15. Shangri-La
16. I Remember You
17. It Could Happen To You
18. Somebody Loves Me
19. Time On My Hands (You In My Arms)
20. The Nearness Of You
21. The Song Is Ended

Product Description

1. Girl, Boy, Dance, Affair
2. Little Girl
3. I Cover The Waterfront
4. Some Day
5. If I Had You
6. Once In A While
7. I Can't Get Started
8. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
9. My Ideal
10. Yesterdays
11. I Love You (Je T'Aime)
12. Unforgettable
13. How High The Moon
14. I'll Be Seeing You
15. Shangri-La
16. I Remember You
17. It Could Happen To You
18. Somebody Loves Me
19. Time On My Hands (You In My Arms)
20. Nearness Of You, The
21. Song Is Ended, The


Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Tawny/Music, Martinis and Memories.......2006-07-25

This is a wonderful place to order Music from, I love the way it is presented and Jackie Gleason is one of the best. His music is so smooth and so romantic. I own several of his CD's and they are all simply wonderful.

If you got the girl. This CD is the music........2005-09-09

This CD is great for just taking it all in, preferably with a classic cocktail. It works equally well as background music for dinner or as the focus of the night. I wouldn't listen to this if were trying to wash the windows though. You'll wind up with a Martini in your hand and your feet up on the ottoman. This entire CD is remarkable, but some of the highlights for me are as follows: "Some Day", "I Got It Bad", "I Love You", "Shangri-La", and "Time on My Hands".

If you want to relax with your girl this is the CD. You want to relax by yourself. Forget it, get a girl and play this CD. As Sinatra said "Loners are Losers".

Live in a Joan Crawford Movie.......2005-01-28

If you've heard Jackie Gleason's music, in particular MUSIC, MARTINIES, AND MEMORIES, than you probably know what I mean. This music sounds like it came from one of those great old movies. It is sad, and sweet, and very, very lush. If you want to feel like you're living in a Joan Crawford or Lana Turner melodrama all day and suffer grandly, simply put on this cd and you will be transported back into a distant era when one could sit back with a martini and think about "memories" without seeming anti-social, just a little bit corny maybe and sentimental. It's music for people who have big, broken hearts.

I have always had a love for eras past, especially the early 50s glamour, and this album tops them all. I first heard it at my grandpa's. He had the original record in his collection and I was hooked. Certainly not elevator music--these are the arrangements that prove melody is sometimes greater than lyrics. It's all about the melody here--and that gorgeous trumpet! I am 20--so don't assume this is music only the older generations could appreciate. It's timeless.

Music to relax to!.......2005-01-26

I, having just turned 36 years old, am not old enough to have been around when this music was first presented. Thanks to my father I found out about Mr. Gleason and his many albums. MUSIC, MARTINIS, AND MEMORIES (MM&M) has been a favorite album of mine for years. I was pleased to find it on cd. This cd has been combined with another of Gleason's albums, TAWNY. It is a shame that people of my generation (Generation X, it's hard to believe we're almost if not middle age now) and the younger generations dismiss Gleason and other musical artists of the 1950's as elevator music.

Gleason's band, along with other instrumental bands and orchestras of the 50's, such as Mantovani and 101 Strings, really have detailed arrangements. Songs like "I'll Be Seeing You" are so detailed you can practically hear the lyrics everytime the horn tunes up during the chours. Also, each song blends, almost unnoticeably, into the next. The mood that Gleason helps create is not broken by a musical selection that clashes with the one preceding it.

I should note, for those people who have either of the indivdual albums, that the songs are not in album form. They are mixed in together. This is not a bad thing, only for those of us who are used to hearing the songs in a certain order may be caught off guard. We'll be expecting one song but get another.

The title says it all. This "music" will bring back "memories", "martinis" are optional. By the way, I love the cover art for MM&M. It fits the title and songs just perfect.

Jackie Gleason "The Great One" @ Work.......2004-12-15

At over an hour & fifteen minutes this 53 year old recording still sounds fresh & goes to show why Jackie Gleason who although he couldn't read a note of music knew what sounded great. For years Gleason's recordings were staples on now defunct Muzak/Easy Listening Stations that were heard in supermarkets & dentist offices across the land. Unfortunately today many only remember
Jackie as the sherrif in the Smokey & The Bandit films. His early carreer on the Dumont TV Network, his hit easy listening albums, The Honeymooners & performance in films such as "The Hustler" were career highlights. I also highly recommend Gleason's 1956 Christmas Album also available on CD. Enjoy!

Average customer rating: Great Beatles inspired Brit-pop Fantastic Sam Phillips' finest album and genuine "Revolver-esque" classic. Disappointing Beauty and the Truth

Martinis & Bikinis Sam Phillips Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Christian Alternative | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Similar Items: Fan Dance A Boot and a Shoe Cruel Inventions The Indescribable Wow Omnipop (It's Only A Flesh Wound Lambchop) ASIN: B000000W50 Release Date: 1994-03-08

Tracks:

1. Love And Kisses
2. Sign Posts
3. Same Rain
4. Baby I Can't Please You
5. Circle Of Fire
6. Strawberry Road
7. When I Fall
8. Same Changes
9. Black Sky
10. Fighting With Fire
11. I Need Love
12. Wheel Of The Broken Voice
13. Gimme Some Truth

Amazon.com

With Martinis & Bikinis, Sam Phillips has revitalized the "Beatlesque" category with some substantial songwriting and a woman's voice, which turns the whole sound upside down. The Beatles hardly exhausted the possibilities of their late-'60s sound, and Phillips has the hooks and aphorisms to give that sound a second lease on life. Phillips has rewritten two old Beatles songs into "Strawberry Road" and "Same Rain"; she has even recorded a John Lennon composition, "Gimme Some Truth." Phillips's husband, T-Bone Burnett, cowrote two of the songs and produced all 13, and he adds the Lennonesque touches of guitars recorded backward and sweet harmonized vocals pitted against distorted guitars. But none of this would matter if the songs weren't so good. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

Great Beatles inspired Brit-pop.......2007-03-14

Excellent Beatles-esque pop tunes with catchy hooks and a decent amount of variety. Phillips has an interesting voice and the musicianship on the album is fantastic (Colin Moulding's pop bass lines are worth the price of the album alone). Definitely underrated (the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that the last couple songs at end of the album are a bit weak).

Fantastic.......2006-08-22

This is a great album. I can't add much to what the rest of the reviewers here have said. It's rich, smart, and beautifully produced. My favorite Sam Phillips album. Get it! I'd be surprised if you don't like it.

Sam Phillips' finest album and genuine "Revolver-esque" classic........2005-09-16

One of the best and most vital records of 1994, Phillips' third mainstream rock-pop album (formerly billed as "Leslie Phillips", she was a Christian music star in the 1980s) is less a prosaic collection of songs than an organic stream of incantations and revelations from the Otherworld. Many commentators have remarked on M&B's debt to the Beatles, and there are certainly some musical echoes of the Fabs: the "She's A Woman" strums of "Signposts"; the homage of "Strawberry Road" (based on an Iroquois belief); the cover of Lennon's "Gimme Some truth"; the harpsichords, multitracked harmonies, slicing guitar riffs, and Indian drums. But Phillips is no pale imitator. She works subliminally, her oblique lyrics tweaking at the edges of consciousness. Her strongest link with the moptops, in truth, is a shared ethos of belief in the value and power of love, and of the wisdom in 'holding on to the voice inside you" amid the blare of a corrupted society. Like an Old Testament prophet, Phillips rails against the ills of the world -- greed, deceit, oppression -- using an elliptical imagery that is more surreal than overtly political. Her songs are striking in their melodic nuances as well. She employs instruments and vocals with the craft of a painter, assembling glorious guitar pop ("I Need Love") alongside thunderous Indian raga ("Baby I Can't Please You", a shout against her former fundamentalist string-pullers), disturbing nightmares ("Black Sky," "Wheel of the Broken Voice"), and triumphant epiphanies ("When I Fall"). Martinis & Bikinis' predecessors (The Indescribable Wow; Cruel Inventions) were also impressive, but this offering, with harder-edged production by then-husband T Bone Burnett, is simply relentless. Sam Phillips at the height of her form.

Disappointing.......2005-05-23

After the other good reviews, I was really disappointed. There are some good songs. But there are some really obnoxious songs too. Figure on half a CD's worth of good music.

Beauty and the Truth.......2003-06-09

At the release of "Martinis and Bikinis", Sam Phillips had made a name for herself as an insightful, poetic artist with interesting, fresh music. Critics loved her, but unfortunately, she was grossly ignored by radio. This is a very fun and thought provoking release, more upbeat music than her previous two releases. "Baby I Can't Please You" is probably the most radio-friendly song on here and who can't relate to the lyrics, "You take the words I say and make them mean everything they don't, baby you're obscene. You don't listen you don't hear you're blinded by the fear that surrounds you." I enjoyed "Same Rain" which states, "Is it the same rain that falls on a holy man, is it the same rain that falls on a liar's hand, is it the same rain that falls on me?" Even though "Signposts" is a short song, I love it for her having the guts to honestly tell why she left Christian music for secular music, "I wanted to get lost and love the questions there, beauty and the truth, I could breathe like air." I absolutely love the Phillips/T Bone Burnett song "Same Changes" and I might be the only to say this, I LOVE the song "Black Sky", because it is so different, eclectic, and has a powerful message about our human greed for money and our lack of concern for the health of the earth in the process. It's kind of a doomsday song and the music is so fitting... it's just something you would have to hear for yourself to appreciate. I just can't praise this disc enough... a very strong release!!

Average customer rating: ok background music Not Quite What I Like Nice background music (and Track Listing) Cool Yule! Sorry to be a Scrooge...

Martinis & Mistletoe Various Artists Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Under $7 | Today's Deals | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Christmas with the Rat Pack Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails, Part One Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Pt. 2 Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Pt. 3 Rhino: Swingin Christmas ASIN: B00006K0A0 Release Date: 2002-10-15

Album Description

Take a seat under the mistletoe at the Holiday Martini Lounge, where cufflinks chatter and Chanel No. 5 permeates the air amid sounds of jazzy guitar, upright bass, ringing vibraphone and a devilish fluteŠ

Customer Reviews:

ok background music.......2007-01-09

no big surprises here. i guess i expected more. ok background music for parties

Not Quite What I Like.......2006-11-13

Let me start with my bias. If you share it, then this review will be helpful, otherwise skip it and read the others.

I like swing music from the 40's and 50's. I prefer that old style of playing and recording; for me new swing records typically lack a sense of soul and character. I think the reason for this is because back in those previous decades swing was still new, people were innovating. Nowadays, most (not all) swing stuff is merely preserving the genre, so it lacks a certain edge to my ears.

Martinis and Mistletoe is a relatively new recording (2002). The songs are played very well, the recording is everything you would expect from something recorded with all the new technology: well balanced, clear and full. The band is solid and clearly does a good job with all of the numbers performed. The singers are pretty good, depending on the song. It is not a bad album by any standard.

All that said, I don't really like this CD and will not be keeping it in my Christmas album rotation. Again, that's because I have a bias for older recordings. If you are of the same mindset, keep looking for other recordings.

An alternate I suggest is Swingin' Christmas Party. This one has the exact feel that I look for...

Cheers,

G

Nice background music (and Track Listing).......2006-09-16

This selection of Christmas songs done with a twist of jazz is fun and adds a nice backdrop to any Christmas season.

Amazon doesn't seem to have a track listing... so here it is for your pleasure. Please note many of the songs have vocals but some of the tracks are instrumentals only.

1. We Wish You A Merry Christmas*
2. Santa Baby
3. Merry Christmas, Baby
4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
5. Silent Night*
6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
7. Cool Yule
8. Away in a Manger*
9. The First Noel
10. O Little Town of Bethlehem*

*indicates instrumental only.

Cool Yule!.......2005-12-23

I bought this not quite being sure of what to expect. Wow, it's now one of my favorites! Like other reviewers have said, it's got a very jazzy/loungey type feel to it. It's a nice change from the usual Christmas classics (which I enjoy as well). Put this CD in and have a Cool Yule!!

Sorry to be a Scrooge..........2005-12-13

...but it has to be said: While 'Martinis and Misteloe' is a swinging concept, it doesn't translate to a quality Christmas party-spirited cd -- in this case. From the first notes, and then the vocals, sadly it just never improves. However, negative reviews really should be accompanied by an alternative suggestion; here's mine: 'Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails, Part One'.

Average customer rating:

Martinis at Midnight Sarah Vaughn , Ella Fitzgerald , Peggy Lee , Julie London , Billie Holiday , and Jo Stafford and others Manufacturer: Universal Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music ASIN: B000K1UJZ0

Product Description

4 cd set with 75 songs. Great assortment by wonderful artists.

Average customer rating: AND NOW YOU KNOW............. Timeless Classic

Music, Martinis, and Misanthropy Boyd Rice and Friends Manufacturer: NER ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alt Industrial | Industrial | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Way I Feel Blood & Flame In the Shadow of the Sword Nada! Might! ASIN: B0002N72KG Release Date: 2005-11-17

Tracks:

1. Invocation
2. People
3. The Hunter
4. Nightwatch
5. Disney Land Can Wait
6. An Eye For An Eye
7. Down In The Willow Garden
8. I'd Rather Be Your Enemy
9. Tripped A Beauteous Maiden
10. As For The Fools
11. Shadows Of The Night
12. History Lesson
13. Silence Is Golden
14. Untitled

Product Description

This album is considered a classic, yet defies easy categorization. The music is lilting, hypnotic, and aesthetically quite pleasing to the ear. It features restructurings of works by The Carpenters, Rod McKuen, and Ragnar Redbeard, as well as original vitriolic and humanist pieces and misanthropic tunes by Rice. There is also a plaintive duet of sorts between Rice and McDowall (who would later record an album of suicide songs under the name of Spell) on the traditional murder ballad, "Down in the Willow Garden". A great deal of the music was arranged by Douglas P. in collaboration with Rice and Ferbrache. This album was inspired by Jackie Gleason's romantic recordings from the 1950's. The title is a tribute to Gleasons's album, Music, Martinis, and Memories. The liner notes thank Anton LaVey, Rod McKuen, Ragnar Redbeard, Lee Hazlewood, Pat Purdy, Richard and Karen C., The Everly Brothers' Father, Walt Disney, Artie De Gobineau and "Big" Jim Huberty.

Album Description

Whilst Nada! may have been 'out of stock' for over 3 years, the Boyd Rice And Friends album Music, Martinis & Misanthropy has been 'unavailable' for nearly 5 years! Boyd Rice is joined by Michael Moynihan, Bob Ferbrache and Douglas P. and with cameo appearances by Tony Wakeford & Rose McDowall. Now included on the CD is the bonus track 'Secret News'. The CD comes in a digipak with a newly designed 12-page booklet. Badvc. 2006.

Album Details

Return of the Long Awaited Masterpiece in Misanthrophical Recordings, the Great "Music, Martinis and Misanthropy", Released in a Deluxe Embossed Digipack with Bonus Track and Newly Designed 12 Page Booklet with a Lot New Pictures. A Must!

Customer Reviews:

AND NOW YOU KNOW....................2006-02-03

Boyd Rice did indeed do it. Masterpiece re-issued. Enjoy with, what else, a martini. Preferably in a Tiki Bar somewhere.

Timeless Classic.......2006-02-01

The re-release of this album that originaly came out in the early 1990's is a welcome and needed addition to any fan of Boyd Rice, Michael Moynihan and Douglas Pearce. The packaging is top notch with photos that were not included in the original LP vinyl edition. Sound quality is also very fine and I was most pleased to be able to have this on disc as my vinyl sounded a little on the quiet side for my taste, perhaps that was my turntable who knows.
I find this to be the best out of the "60's Folk" sound material for Rice and company. Some of his work with Spell works quite well also, but this still grabs me more.
Kind of like a uber-group of the "Apocalyptic Folk" set, the musicians included besides Rice, Moynihan and Pearce are Tony Wakeford (of Sol Invictus and original member of Death in June) Rose McDowall (of Spell, Current 93, Strawberry Switchblade) and Robert Ferbrache (production wizard extrodinaire , Blood Axis recording artist as well as Tarentella.)
This album is worth it's price just for the cover image. A sombre homage to Jackie Gleason.

Average customer rating: very smooth for cruising Another gem in my collection Linda Mallari-She Rocks!!! Miss that Pixies guitar fuzz? Look no further!

Smitten The Martinis Manufacturer: Reincarnate Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Smitten Sessions Pacer Pistolero Electrified Title TK ASIN: B0001Z3TXO Release Date: 2004-05-04

Tracks:

1. Flyer
2. Right Behind You
3. You Are the One
4. New Scene
5. Out Upon the Road
6. Wishful Thinking
7. Walls of Silence
8. Invisible
9. Big Three Wheeler
10. People in the World
11. Into the Meadow

Customer Reviews:

very smooth for cruising.......2005-10-14

i love this album. it suggests that grunge pop coastal feel, seen in so much of joey santiago's other work. his guitar is simply the savior of this album. the only reason it doesn't get 4 stars, by me, is that it's sometimes lyrically.... weak. for lack of a more exact term. i definitely missed kim deal's vocals, but his wife has an amazing and sultry voice, although sometimes sounding a bit like gwen stefani.

hmm. i would have liked to hear joey's vocals on it as well.
but overall, definitely worth your listen.

Another gem in my collection.......2004-10-15

This album was quirky enough for me to pick up and love to listen to!

How would I compare this....hmmmm....I would probably say she is more like Tracy Bonham than anything. But PowerPop? I wouldn't go that far. She is NOT Aqua (or is that quirky powerpop?) or the spice girls.

This is rather laid back kind of music, good stuff. It's the kind of stuff you'd listen to in a coffee shop. Good music, and a wonderful singer. The guitars are very good in this album as well, and I am looking forward to another release.

My favorite tracks on this album have to be "You Are the One", "People In This World" and "Big Three Wheeler". "People in this World" has to be one of the heavier songs, along with "Flyer".

If you like Tracy Bonham....(if you even know who she is, she did that amazing song, "Behind Every Good Woman"), you'll probably like this album as well.

Linda Mallari-She Rocks!!!.......2004-05-29

Smitten is a PERFECT Indie Power Pop Gem!!! Linda Mallari is a true revelation as an artist,singer/songwriter,guitarist and classically trained pianist.Her voice is beautiful,powerful and shows so much confidence along with her Pixie husband Joey Santiago.Joey provides amazingly rich textures and once again shows his great ear for sweet tones on his guitars.Surfy and heavenly distorted and melodic soundscapes are found all over this sonic masterpiece.I truly can't decide which songs stand out,song after song I kept saying "this is my fave,wait next one too",and so on.The Martinis have created the Greatest Indie Power Pop Record Of The New Milenium!!!!!

Miss that Pixies guitar fuzz? Look no further!.......2004-05-11

This album is great; I just got a signed copy (available thru Tower.com) in the mail today. If you like the band's song "Free" on the Empire Records soundtrack, this is more of the same. However, Joey Santiago (Pixies) does get to venture into more sonically inclined territory. (For a preview, check out "Flyer," the album's invigorating opener. If the Pixies are to return to the studio together, we're all in for good times!)

Average customer rating: Buy 'em all! Great Mix Here... Nice Collection, But Not Much Variety martinis with mancini An offbeat sampler

Martinis with Mancini Henry Mancini Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mancini Soundtracks Collection: Hatari/High Time The Ultimate Pink Panther The Pink Panther Midnight, Moonlight & Magic: The Very Best of Henry Mancini The Music from Peter Gunn (1958-1961 TV Series) ASIN: B000002X4G Release Date: 1997-09-30

Tracks:

1. Playboy's Theme
2. Moon River Cha Cha
3. Brief And Breezy
4. Something Loose
5. Mambo Parisienne
6. Lightly Latin
7. Rain Drops In Rio
8. Something For Sellers
9. Odd Ball
10. The Old College Try Cha-Cha
11. Mr. Lucky (Goes Latin)
12. Everybody Blow!
13. It Had Better Be Tonight
14. No-Cal Sugar Loaf
15. Bijou
16. Your Father's Feathers
17. Megeve
18. The Chaser
19. The Beat
20. Loose Caboose

Customer Reviews:

Buy 'em all!.......2007-06-30

Look, we are all of the same mind here....buy all the originals while they last, because Mancini is the next Mahler, Bach or Mozart..after all he was that prolific and always on the mark. That typical almost discordant sound that made everything from Gunn to Lucky sound uniquely Henry.
If you have not guessed it, these posts also make another key point. If you are a Mancini fan, as we all are, some of his best stuff got shadowed by the MOR money-makers for Messr. Henri!
And to another writer elsewhere on this composer's listing...NO he NEVER made a bad soundtrack!

Great Mix Here..........2006-05-23

This stands as Mancini's greatest achievement in his end-career stage. The theme song itself haunts you.

Justly, it has become a jazz standard, played to great effect by many, many talented jazz musicians.

And yet, as memorable as it is, the tune carries a sad sort of feeling in its intensely romantic frame.

The movie (itself fairly forgettable) posed a problem for the composer: it's the story of a constantly bickering couple taking a long trip together. How can you back this up with appropriate music?

So, many of the tracks seem disconnected, I think because of the inevitably mixed premise we have operating here. Mancini was a thorough professional.

But, if you're feeling fancy-free, come wander through this world with me. The unexpected poignancy of this title tune does not, for some reason, make it into the various "best of" collections of Mancini's work, and I do not know why. It's one of his all-time best works.

Nice Collection, But Not Much Variety.......2003-02-15

I'm a big fan of Henry Mancini and, although I think this is a decidedly fun and otherwise quite decent collection of some of his work, I think it suffers from its lack of variety.

Although I would venture to say that the work of Mancini with which most people are likely familiar is the fast, latin-flavored lounge of which this album is mostly comprised, he was capable of a wide range of musical styles that really isn't adequately captured here. Although there are jazzy numbers like "The Chaser" and "The Beat," MARTINIS leaves out some of what is, in my opinion, some of his most beautiful work - the soothing, distinctly elegant music like "Royal Blue" from the soundtrack of THE PINK PANTHER, several tracks from the BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S soundtrack (including its famous "Moon River," of which there is only a "cha cha" version on MARTINIS), as well as "Bateau Mouche" and "Charade" from the soundtrack of (of course) CHARADE. "The Pink Panther Theme" itself would have been a nice addition to this collection, as well, as it's more than likely his most famous work and a remarkably sexy piece, at that.

I suppose that the argument could be made that the tracks I'm suggesting don't exactly typify what the public at large consider "martini music" or true lounge music, but I counter with the argument that these tracks are more than classy enough to accompany the sipping of martinis and that lounges, by their very nature, are historically home to not only the lively, escapist, latin-spiced lounge music featured on MARTINIS, but also to the still elegant, but slower, more mellow (and often melancholy) lounge music that hints at all those things in life that make the sipping of martinis and hanging around in lounges necessary in the first place.

Buy MARTINIS WITH MANCINI and have a blast. When you're ready to mellow out, however, check out the soundtracks to THE PINK PANTHER, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S and CHARADE and remind yourself that the man Audrey Hepburn called the "hippest of cats" knew that variety was, indeed, the spice of life.

martinis with mancini.......2003-01-24

I have several tapes/cd by Mancini but this cd however has got to be my favorite. The title is perfect for the selections on this cd. There are 20 selection in all and I simply love all of them. The selections are sophisicated and smooth with a touch of jazz. Just awesom!

An offbeat sampler.......1999-10-19

An offbeat sampler, titled to take advantage of the lounge music thing. Some of it is lounge although one can also consider it first rate dancing music. With 20 cuts, the price is right, unless you have all those original LPs & want to make your own tape.

Bob Rixon, WFMU-FM

Average customer rating: Hidden Treasures

Music For Gracious Living, Vol. 1: Six Martinis And A Broken Heart To Go Various Artists Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Retro Space Age | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocalists | Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Music For Gracious Living, Vol. 2: Instrumental Themes Music for Gracious Living, Vol. 2 ASIN: B000002AD1 Release Date: 1997-08-05

Tracks:

1. Eros - Rod McKuen
2. I Believe In Dreams - Doris Day
3. Alone Together - Vic Damone
4. Blue Velvet - Bobby Vinton
5. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) - Eileen Farrell
6. Am I Blue - Vic Damone
7. The Man That Got Away (From 'A Star Is Born') - Judy Garland
8. Chances Are - Johnny Mathis
9. The Man I Love - Eileen Farrell
10. How It Lies, How It Lies, How It Lies - Johnny Janis
11. I Had Someone Else Before I Had You - Damita Jo
12. Cry - Johnny Ray

Customer Reviews:

Hidden Treasures.......2001-06-08

What a wonderful CD. I found this CD buried in the online catalog of a Mail-Order CD merchant and what a find it is. There are a few names you'll recognize (Johnny Mathis, Judy Garland) and a song or 2 you'll know ('Chances Are'), but most of the selections on this CD are new to most of us. And what a world it opens up! These artists are great...excellent representations of 50's and 60's pop music. Check out track 9 ('The Man I Love') and track 11 ('I Had Someone Else...") for rare gems that shouldn't have remained buried for so long. My only gripe is that there aren't anymore in this series.

Average customer rating: I wish this group had more than one album... This group keeps you swingin'! Worth a long drive, but now you don't have to! Jumpin'! Lively! Energizing! They have that continental flair...

Moonshine & Martinis Lost Continentals Manufacturer: Landslide ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Blues | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000005Z1K Release Date: 1997-12-23

Tracks:

1. You May
2. Please, Please
3. Notorious
4. Love Roller Coaster
5. Swanky Bars And Fine Cigars
6. I Can't Imagine
7. Sway
8. Dirty Daddy
9. Natty Nat
10. Petals
11. They're All Big
12. I Miss You
13. Kiss Me Big
14. The French Song
15. 5 Months 2 Weeks 2 Days

Customer Reviews:

I wish this group had more than one album..........2006-04-29

Nearly 10 years after the swing revival of the mid/late 90s, this is one album I still listen to on a frequent basis. I saw them play a couple of times in the Atlanta area and they put on a great show. I'm so glad I have this one CD at least. Amy Pike's vocals are amazing and the band gives her the full backup. If you still get the urge to kick up your heels and swing dance, don't miss this album!

This group keeps you swingin'!.......1999-06-21

I heard this group in Birmingham, Alabama at their City Stages festival, and was blown away. Their sound just makes you wanna get up and dance the night away. It is a band I'd recommend to any true swing fan.

Worth a long drive, but now you don't have to!.......1999-02-12

What can I say... The Lost Continentals are the greatest. After becoming addicted to this CD (as well as the now hard to find 4 song cassette from years gone by), I drove 3 hours to Orlando, FL to see these cats. They rocked the house down, as always. Swing is back and the Lost Continentals are its finest ambassadors. This four member group captures so many facets of swing; from sultry to rockin'. Amy's voice has that perfect sassy, swingin' tonal quality. Hammer's beats never fail to get those toe's a-tappin'. Johnny's bass lines are inspiring. Jeff? Well, Jeff's guitar playing has inspired me to become a serious jazz guitar player. Together they create some incredible music. Why this group isn't as big (or bigger) than all those West Coast swing groups (you know who I mean!), I just don't know.

So don't let the Continentals stay lost! Find them in your CD player ASAP!!!

Jumpin'! Lively! Energizing!.......1999-01-24

I can't sit still when listening to this CD! I love to dance, and these musicians have recorded not only some of the best swing music, but also a few sultry tunes that are wonderfully sexy to dance to!

They have that continental flair..........1998-10-01

Amy, Johnny, Jeff and Hammer. These four hep cats swing with the best. Amy Pike's sultry voice sways through the groovin' bass lines of Johnny Cowan (Cowan is the bassist of Fine Grit fame) and the rockin' beat of the one they simply call Hammer. Talented guitarist Jeff Passifiume adds the grease to this finely-tuned Atlanta-based swing machine.

Average customer rating: Still some of the best Trumpet playing on CD Some of the best music I've ever owned. Wow! The best trumpet player and the most beautiful music ever!

Music, Martinis & Memories David Balph Manufacturer: Eagle Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B000001YBM Release Date: 1996-10-29

Tracks:

1. Stardust - David Ralph
2. September Song
3. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
4. Poinciana
5. Laura
6. I Can't Get Started
7. Danny Boy
8. Boy Next Door
9. Stella by Starlight
10. Because of You
11. Summertime
12. Moonlight in Vermont
13. Over the Rainbow - David Ralph
14. Speak Low
15. Nearness of You - David Ralph
16. Man With a Horn
17. I'm in the Mood for Love
18. Breeze & I
19. Dream

Customer Reviews:

Still some of the best Trumpet playing on CD.......2005-08-11

Mr.Balph has some great talent, a must have for anyone who enjoy's trumpet or blues.

Some of the best music I've ever owned........1999-07-23

This music is absolutely incredible, a kind of work that would appeal to anyone. Being a trumpet player myself, I can really appreciate the splendid phrasing, dynamics, and radiant tone that Mr. Balph can produce. This CD is certainly worth the money.

Wow!.......1999-02-25

It's about time we had a CD like this on the market!!! What a tone! Impeccable phrasing backed up with CHOPS!

RWS Nashville, TN

The best trumpet player and the most beautiful music ever!.......1999-01-15

David Balph is an exceptional trumpet player and he has chosen some of the most beautiful music to present to us on this particular CD or audio. He is well known in the Nashville, Tennessee area and recorded most of this CD (or audio) in Nashville. David also plays Dixieland music and will, most likely, put out a Dixieland music album sometime in the future.

I, personally, ordered 10 CD's of "Music, Martinis, & Memories", a year ago to give as Christmas Gifts for friends and family and everyone just loved the music, in fact, many immediately wanted to know where to order CD's or audio cassettes for their friends and families.

I highly recommend this music for anyone who is really interested in hearing exceptionally well-played and beautiful music.

Meditation Music:

1. Music Box Dancer
2. Music For Zombies
3. My Kind of Christmas [Enhanced]
4. Now That's What I Call Music! 11
5. Now That's What I Call Music! 12
6. Now That's What I Call Music! 3
7. Now That's What I Call Music! 4
8. Now That's What I Call Music! 5
9. Now That's What I Call Music! 6
10. Now That's What I Call Music! 7

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

Beach Beat Classics, Vol. 1

Response

Shostakovich: Symphony No.10 In E

Music: Einfach [Import]

Remixent

Replay: A Tribute to Moby

Quejio

Thanks I'll Eat It Here

Sweet Meat

Richard Goode Performs Mozart

Stopper/Oleo [Import]

Profundo [Import]

Salseando Con Uno

Christian Artists Terrorizing Satan

Hope Chest: The Fredonia Recordings 1982-1983