Search - Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass :: What Now My Love (Spkg)

Classic TJB

Abbasolutely | Dodgeville, WI United States | 06/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ignore the silly gripe in that other review that lamented the decision to offer only the stereo mix of this cd. Herb wisely embraced stereo, not mono. So thankfully the mono sources were not utilized on this cd. The remaster job is good, although a little more treble would benefit the entire Signatutre series...They sound a tad muffled. But their reisssues are definately a highlight of 2005. I look forward to more to come...But "What Now My Love" is their best album ever! It's a pleasure to hear again and again...Cheers to you Herb and the entire team responsible for the reissues. The covers reproductions and inside booklets are delicious and great fun...just like the music itself. Bravo!"

The TJB at their commercial peak.

David Kenner | Fort Worth, Texas United States | 08/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With over 2 months in the #1 spot, this was the commercial peak for Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass. Like other popular acts of the sixties, Herb was releasing LPs fast and furious and this came hot on the heels of "GOING PLACES". And like he had with every previous album, he took the basic elements of what made his earlier recordings work but added a little something extra here and there to make the current release unique. "WHAT NOW MY LOVE" finds Herb in a more pensive mood on most of the tracks, and even the more upbeat numbers have an air of sophistication about them. "Freckles" and "Brasilia" may swing free and easy, but the raucous throwing-caution-to-the-wind attitude of "Third Man Theme" and "Zorba The Greek" are absent. Herb's arranging genius continues to shine on great versions of "If I Were A Rich Man", "Five Minutes More", an elegant "Shadow Of Your Smile" and a somber "It Was A Very Good Year". And then there's the title track which waged a cover battle in 1966 with Sonny and Cher. Both versions were big hits, perhaps because both were unique. While S&C's version relied on the schmaltzy lyrics and the singers' dramatic intensity, the Brass' version was the complete opposite -- melody driven with a light, breezy jazz arrangement.

There were two different mixes of this album floating around when it was originally released. For anyone familiar with both, it should be noted that this CD contains the extended "bump and grind" version of "Plucky" and the version of "Brasilia" which is missing the trombone overdub.

Overall, another great Shout Factory TJB reissue with beautifully remastered sound and a nice booklet containing an essay and great photos."

Herb Alpert Rides Again

Angelfish | CA | 07/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It was like listening for the first time, an awesome, clear big sound that was exciting to hear this time as it was the first. If you never heard Herb Alpert before, listen carefully, this is what harmony and orchestration is all about."