For those of us who are old enough to not forget to remember... Ah, the joys of pre-socially-unconscious television! Todays' TV can be truly called bad, but it was not always thus! The '50s and early '60's had some short-lived, but really good TV, and some GREAT people composing themes and incidental music for them. Henry Mancini's legacy in this genre is without peer and prolific - Peter Gunn and Mr. Lucky are just two examples. His place in cinematic history is solid as well, with "Breakfast at Tiffany's", "Elephant Walk", and many other great works in his repertoire. This album shows him at his best in his favorite form - cool jazz.
As a '50s brat, I watched Peter Gunn as much for the post-episode jazz sets as for the plot, and not just for the theme - everyone's heard that! It's great to hear these masterpieces in Hi-Fi (what stereo USED to be called), instead of out of the speaker from our old Sears black-and-white set, or off of some old LP, complete with scratches.
If you like cool jazz, this is one of the best. The Peter Gunn theme is legendary, but pieces like "The Brothers Go to Mother's" and "Fallout" will bring back that feeling of real artistry - and you'll expect to see a cigarette commercial break somewhere. "Slow and Easy" is one of those old-style blues pieces that's understated, but oh-so good!
So, let's break out the frozen TV dinner, pull up the bean bags, and remember when music on TV was actually GOOD.
Heavens to... Murgatroyd!
As a '50s brat, I watched Peter Gunn as much for the post-episode jazz sets as for the plot, and not just for the theme - everyone's heard that! It's great to hear these masterpieces in Hi-Fi (what stereo USED to be called), instead of out of the speaker from our old Sears black-and-white set, or off of some old LP, complete with scratches.
If you like cool jazz, this is one of the best. The Peter Gunn theme is legendary, but pieces like "The Brothers Go to Mother's" and "Fallout" will bring back that feeling of real artistry - and you'll expect to see a cigarette commercial break somewhere. "Slow and Easy" is one of those old-style blues pieces that's understated, but oh-so good!
So, let's break out the frozen TV dinner, pull up the bean bags, and remember when music on TV was actually GOOD.
Heavens to... Murgatroyd!
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