Search - Henry Mancini, Dave Grusin, Diana Krall :: Two For The Road: The Music of Henry Mancini

Great new take on established excellence

Jenny Sequois | Out there somewhere | 01/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most musicians labor a lifetime without receiving a Grammy award. Henry Mancini was awarded 20. (two-zero, twenty, no misprint). The original Mancini recordings consistently exhibited two traits: lush orchestration, often with strings and chorus, and some of the most enjoyable and memorable pop melodies ever scored. Well, the near-incomparable melodies are still here, of course, but now in a context of a tighter, smaller, hotter ensemble. The arrangements are simply killer, as one would expect from Mr. Grusin, and the surround-sound engineering is as well done as any I've encountered; subtle but readily apparent use of the rear channels to expand the soundstage without moving the listener out of the audience and onto the bandstand. Some of the more obscure Mancini compositions are covered, a nice touch. One minor criticism: "The Days of Wine and Roses" as originally done was so beautiful a song that even Mr. Grusin fails to impress with his instrumental rearrangement, which actually is excellent if not referenced to the original piece. Easily five star stuff. My thanks to Mr. Grusin and all those involved with making a recoring of rare quality that I'll enjoy for years."

Dave Grusin Plays Mancini . . . Two For The Road

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 01/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dave Grusin's greatest influence and inspiration in his musical career was Henry "Hank" Mancini, and he dedicated this album in memory of the legendary composer. When he was younger and trying to decide what road to take, he thought of the music of Henry Mancini and some other composers such as André Previn and Elmer Bernstein.



According to Dave Grusin, Hank Mancini was "as generous with advice and enthusiasm as anyone he had known in this arena, the whimsical good humor you hear in his music was there in real life as well."



Dave Grusin is joined by some of the finest studio musicians in creating one of the best Henry Mancini tributes: John Pattitucci (bass), Harvey Mason (drums), Russell Malone (guitar), Paulinho Da Costa (percussion), Tollak Ollestad (harmonica), Gary Grant (trumpet), Andrew Martin (trombone), Jerry Hey and the Hot Band, Dan Higgins, Tom Scott and Eric Marienthal (sax). Diana Krall did the vocals on "Dreamsville" and "Soldier In The Rain."



This is Henry Mancini music in smooth jazz, so typical of Dave Grusin's innovative and jazz-oriented arrangements and it presented not only his skills but also his dedication to piano playing.



It's an awesome CD to listen to and enjoy the music of Henry Mancini and the artistry of Dave Grusin. You'll be delighted with all the selections especially his terrific interpretations of "Moment To Moment," "Two For The Road," "Baby Elephant Walk" and "Days of Wine and Roses."



Very highly recommended.

"

This is Grusin at his very best

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | 03/01/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first cd I've ever purchased that I absolutely loved every song. If you are a Dave Grusin fan or a fan of jazz, you will love this cd. It will also give you a new appreciation of the genuis of Henry Mancini"