Arlen Plays Arlen: The Timeless Tribute to Harold Arlen
Arlen Plays Arlen: The Timeless Tribute to Harold Arlen
ASIN: B0006Z2LHY
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Saxist and bandleader Sam Arlen pays tribute to his uncle and adoptive father, composer Harold Arlen, with this instrumental collection of the elder Arlen¹s best and brightest. Most of the tunes are presented in big-band arrangements. At their best, they recall Henry Mancini's 1960s soundtracks--the Latin-flavored take on "Come Rain or Come Shine" could easily have been on Breakfast at Tiffany's for instance. But sadly, the overall mood is too Lite FM, a feeling reinforced by Sam's smooth tenor-sax solos. Typically, "Over the Rainbow" is sappy instead of heartwrenching. Even a medley of "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead" and "If I Only Had a Brain" lacks zip. You'd be better off checking out Harold's own demented version of "Ding Dong!," a swinging duet with Barbra Streisand from 1966's Harold Sings Arlen (with Friend). The single most touching moment is the final song, on which a 1955 recording of Harold's singing "It's a New World" has been magically layered over a new backing track. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Product Description
In conjunction with the "2005 Centennial Celebration of Harold Arlen," son Sam Arlen creates a traditionally stylish instrumental set of 13 Harold Arlen standards in this moving 65 minute tribute recording, comprised of a well balanced mix of five-piece, Big Band and Orchestrated Jazz styles tracked in a live studio setting. This Special Centennial Edition CD includes a beautiful 20 page collector's booklet featuring family photos, pictures of original manuscripts, song histories, and lyrics, complimenting a year of numerous international events to acknowledge the extraordinary life of one of America's greatest composers.
Co-chairing the Centennial Committee alongside SAM ARLEN is singer, actor and self-professed Arlen music lover BARBRA STREISAND, singing legend TONY BENNETT, ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board MARILYN BERGMAN, and jazz great MICHAEL FEINSTEIN - testifying to the power of Harold Arlen's music.GET INVOLVED.
Arlen Plays Arlen: The Timeless Tribute to Harold Arlen
Arlen Plays Arlen: The Timeless Tribute to Harold Arlen,Sam Arlen,JoSam Records,Jazz,Pop
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Arlen Plays Arlen: The Timeless Tribute to Harold Arlen
Sam Arlen Manufacturer: JoSam Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
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ASIN: B0006Z2LHY Release Date: 2005-01-04 |
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Amazon.com
Saxist and bandleader Sam Arlen pays tribute to his uncle and adoptive father, composer Harold Arlen, with this instrumental collection of the elder Arlen¹s best and brightest. Most of the tunes are presented in big-band arrangements. At their best, they recall Henry Mancini's 1960s soundtracks--the Latin-flavored take on "Come Rain or Come Shine" could easily have been on Breakfast at Tiffany's for instance. But sadly, the overall mood is too Lite FM, a feeling reinforced by Sam's smooth tenor-sax solos. Typically, "Over the Rainbow" is sappy instead of heartwrenching. Even a medley of "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead" and "If I Only Had a Brain" lacks zip. You'd be better off checking out Harold's own demented version of "Ding Dong!," a swinging duet with Barbra Streisand from 1966's Harold Sings Arlen (with Friend). The single most touching moment is the final song, on which a 1955 recording of Harold's singing "It's a New World" has been magically layered over a new backing track. --Elisabeth VincentelliAlbum Description
In conjunction with the "2005 Centennial Celebration of Harold Arlen," son Sam Arlen creates a traditionally stylish instrumental set of 13 Harold Arlen standards in this moving 65 minute tribute recording, comprised of a well balanced mix of five-piece, Big Band and Orchestrated Jazz styles tracked in a live studio setting. This Special Centennial Edition CD includes a beautiful 20 page collector's booklet featuring family photos, pictures of original manuscripts, song histories, and lyrics, complimenting a year of numerous international events to acknowledge the extraordinary life of one of America's greatest composers.Co-chairing the Centennial Committee alongside SAM ARLEN is singer, actor and self-professed Arlen music lover BARBRA STREISAND, singing legend TONY BENNETT, ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board MARILYN BERGMAN, and jazz great MICHAEL FEINSTEIN - testifying to the power of Harold Arlen's music.GET INVOLVED.
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