Billy Eckstine now singing : in 12 great movies.
By: Eckstine, Billy [performer]
.
Contributor(s): Tucker, Bobby [instrumentalist] | Byers, Billy [arranger] | Mooney, Harold [performer].
Material type: 
MusicPublisher: Santa Monica : The Verve Music Group, [2002]Description: 1 audio disc ; 4 3/4 in.Content type: performed music Media type: audio Carrier type: audio discSubject(s): Jazz -- 1961-1970 | Motion picture musicDDC classification: CD-JZ/ECK-NOW | Item type | Current library | Call number | Status | Barcode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General lending | MTU Cork School of Music Library CD | CD-JZ/ECK-NOW (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | Available | 00205874 |
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
This reissue of an early-'60s collection of movie themes sung by Billy Eckstine is labeled as a jazz CD, which is a bit of a stretch. Although no one should question the jazz credentials in the resumes of the rich-voiced Eckstine, pianist and conductor Bobby Tucker, arranger Billy Byers, or producer Quincy Jones, this is very much an easy listening album. Of the 13 songs, which include a bonus track not on the original release, only a few have become jazz standards, and just one, "On Green Dolphin Street," deserves to be called a jazz arrangement. This is not to knock the music, as it is very listenable, with a solid performance throughout by Eckstine. It is just that the arrangements are very predictable, lacking any significant improvising or solos, awash in strings with a rhythm section that seems on autopilot. While several songs in addition to "On Green Dolphin Street" have become part of a typical jazz singer's repertoire, ("Manhã de Carnival," "Moon River," and "A Felicidade"), the very sappy "Never on Sunday" (with lyrics totally unfit for a male singer, or for anyone for that matter!) and the forgettable "Three Coins in the Fountain" (the theme from the easily bypassed movie of the same name) haven't stood the test of time very well. Billy Eckstine's vocal abilities are never in question, but jazz fans need to know what to expect prior to purchasing this reissue. ~ Ken Dryden
More (Theme from Mondo Cane) -- The high and the mighty -- Moon river -- Never on Sunday -- Tender is the night -- Manha de carnival (Morning of the carnival) -- A felicidade (Adieu tristesse) -- Three coins in the fountain -- Days of wine and roses -- On Green Dolphin Street -- My own true love -- The good life -- Tonight.
Billy Eckstine, vocals ; Billy Eckstine Orchestra ; Bobby Tucker, piano and conductor ; Billy Byers, arranger ; Hal Mooney and his Orchestra.
Recorded on July 19, 1963 in Los Angeles ; on February 15, 1962 at Radio Recorders, Hollywood ; in January 1963 in Rio deJaneiro, Brazil and in late 1961 in Hollywood.
Compact disc.