Henry Mancini’s big break came in 1954 when he arranged and composed music for the 1954 Universal biographical film “The Glenn Miller Story” starring James Stewart and June Allyson. Although music long associated with Miller was heard throughout the film, the most memorable music was The Love Theme which later had words set to the music. Known as “Too Little Time,” it’s played here in
More >
“Lujon” is a hypnotic spell binder. Once one hears it with strings and a slow rhythm, it stays with the mind for a long time. The melodic line is seductively steamy with a mellow trombone playing in the distance followed by a Johnny Hodges type alto sax joining in for good measure. An acoustic guitar adds to the romance of this classic piece. A good measure of this work’s durability is that
More >
“The Sounds Of Hatari!” is a show stopper in its use of every percussion instrument imaginable. The work increases in intensity as pounding rhythms describe the sheer physicality of the chasing down of a rhino in all of its brutal savagery.
More >
It’s easy to criticize Mancini for having written this piece and use it as an example of a lack of skill in writing a movie score. Yet this particular piece is supposed to be light and frothy. The inspiration for this work came from the basic walk of the little pachyderms which matched perfectly a boogie woogie beat (eight to the bar). To make this even more funny is the inclusion of a calliope.
More >
Always a gifted musician, Henry Mancini (1924 - 1994) wrote music with great speed, yet his music always sounded natural without any effort-it just poured out of his very soul. To this day, much of what he wrote has a depth combined with an eternally youthful feeling of discovery and wonderment.From his first job with NBC Radio as a composer/arranger/musical director stemming from his being an ...
More >
After a briefly insistent fanfare, everything settles into a game of billiards complete with missed shots and gentle swearing under the breath. Mancini wittily scores this for a prominent electric guitar and marimba which brings out the silliness involved with a not too terribly expert player!
More >
Ross Martin (1920 - 1981) was one of those people who loved acting to the very core of his being and it certainly showed in his portrayal of the deviously sly Andamo. The music conveys the humorous outlook on life in a delightfully disarming cha-cha.
More >
Since Count Basie was an iconic jazz figure at the time this film came out, “Big Band Bwana” uses the sparse piano style with the vivid contrasts in dynamics so characteristic of the Basie band. Vibes and alto sax get their licks in this brief piece which also has two trumpet challenges, one hot the other slightly more mellow. It’s great fun to listen to and the title itself could be used to
More >
A peculiar character of “Mr. Lucky” was the appearance of a one eyed black cat who always showed up whenever Lucky was in a jam. Unfortunately, the said cat was no Lassie and would only sit and watch things happen. After all, he was the mascot for the artwork that one would see at the beginning of every show! Mancini writes a cheeky view of this haughty feline starting off with a bassoon and m
More >
In 1961, Henry Mancini recorded an album called “Mr. Lucky Goes Latin.” This in spite of the fact that the show was no longer on the air. However, the album of music from the show (Music From “Mr. Lucky”) was still a top seller. Into the recording studios went Mancini and out came this delightfully humorous album full of current Latin rhythms and harmonies. To start things off, “Mr. Luck
More >
The plot line of “Hatari!” describes the occupation of the men at Hatari as men hired to capture exotic animals for zoos, a notion which is considered politically incorrect and which for years kept this film off the air waves. However, there are some deft touches of humor here such as the efforts involved in recapturing stubborn ostriches who have broken loose from their pen. A country fiddle
More >
“The Dancing Cat” refers to the one eyed cat whose presence on the record cover and the opening credits to “Mr. Lucky” as well as his presence on the show. The melodic line is a meandering samba saunter with an twisting solo on alto sax before the organist takes over to lead us to a surprise ending.
More >
This work represents the growing interest between the Swiss photographer and John Wayne’s character. The trombone set against gently muted strings brings a gentleness to the story and sets the mood perfectly. There’s a beautifully played passage for piano and alto flute before the trombone takes us into dreamland.
More >
Most of us old enough will fondly recall a Warner Brothers cartoon character named Speedy Gonzales. His energy and quick thinking managed to aid him in outwitting Daffy Duck, Sylvester Cat and all sorts of crows and cats with a high octane positivity. Mancini achieves this same positive character with virtuoso writing for an electric guitar propelling the proceedings with smooth strings playing...
More >
Henry Mancini set the music world on fire with his soundtrack score to the popular television detective show “Peter Gunn.” The two albums of music from this series became monster hits in 1959 especially the theme music. Each piece depicts different aspects and moods of each particular episode or a character study. “Dreamsville” is the music always used to describe the lovely Edie Hart(play
More >
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
