Search - Beau Hunks :: Celebration on the Planet Mars

A remarkable recreation of a musical original

08/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Harry Warnow (1908-1994) (aka. Raymond Scott) was one of the most original figures in American pop music. His compositions have seldom been heard since he recorded them because not only are they murderously difficult; he never notated them. This is odd because Warnow was a Julliard trained musical prodigy. Whatever his reasons these impediments have kept his music from being heard (except as background music for Warner Bros. cartoons) for years. The Beau Hunks Sextette, a superior group of musicians from the Netherlands, have met the challenge of Warnow's works with panache to spare. This is a wonderful CD. You will not be sorry you purchased it."

Wonderful stuff--but not as wonderful as the real thing

Daniel P. Smith | Massachusetts, USA | 08/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A friend put me on to the Beau Hunks, and after hearing one of their wonderful CDs I purchased three more in rapid succession. The Beau Hunks are talented, they sound perfect and effortless, and the compositions are amazing. I did not know Raymond Scott's work before, and (despite exposure to Warner Brothers cartoons) the only piece I actually recognized was "The Toy Trumpet."I believe it was this recording that stimulated interest in, and led to the rediscovery of, Raymond Scott. And, among other things, the digital remastering and reissue of a CD entitled "Reckless Nights and Turkish Twilights," 22 pieces recorded by the original Raymond Scott Quintette between 1937 and 1939.Well, much as I admire the Beau Hunks, and as wonderful as their recording is, "Reckless Nights and Turkish Twilights" is better. The original Quintette sounds lighter, bouncier, merrier, and more playful. And the sound on the 1999 reissue is really amazingly good, which is important because part of what is so remarkable about this music is the unusual sound textures and qualities. So, gee, the Beau Hunks are great, but my recommendation on this one is to go with the Raymond Scott original.By the way, I do have to say that whether it's being performed by the Beau Hunks or by the original Raymond Scott Quintette, 70 minutes of Raymond Scott does seem like rather a lot... don't try to listen to it straight through, it's like eating a whole 16 ounce chocolate bar. Yes, I've done both, but don't do as I do, do as I say. Break it up and freshen your palatte in between with... oh, I don't know... some Les Paul and Mary Ford maybe? Some Wendy Carlos?"

Terrific try at recreating Raymond's manic music

Elwood Conway | Frankfort, KY United States | 08/13/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Okay...the Beau Hunks are like art restoration experts. They find something old and try to polish it up, bringing out all the nuances of the music that may have been lost to either the constraints of the original antiquated recording equipment or when the only surviving elements are old, hissy film soundtracks. They are the Indiana Jones' of lost music. They ALMOST hit a home run with this CD. True the fidelity is leaps and bounds better than the Raymond Scott original recording CDs on the market, but you do occasionally hear the players struggle with the parts. I know, I know, the music is hard as hell (this is coming from a Saxophone/Bassoon player), but that was what made Raymond's original groups so special...they played the living hell out of each arrangement until it was perfect. And Raymond's music DEMANDS perfection...it is almost computer-like in it's exactness of form and perfect execution is absolutely necessary for his music to have the full effect. The Beau Hunks come really close however. So if you are a Beau Hunks fan, get this one. If you really want to experience the Raymond Scott that influenced Carl Stalling's cartoon compositions, get his Columbia/Sony CDs."