If you want something instantly melodic and catchy, I'd suggest SUNFLOWER (I GIRASOLI). I actually think you cannot choose a wrong edition here, but the most complete was a 2CD version including both score and original soundtrack album.
Great pick! I wrote the notes for that album for Quartet. The original 2-CD version is long OOP, but the remastered 50th Anniversary 1-CD version is still available:
This version isn't actually missing any music, per se, it just doesn't have the mono versions of tracks that also appear in stereo. For most people, it should suit them just fine! The notes include instructions on how to recreate the complete film sequence, if that's your wish.
Great pick! I wrote the notes for that album for Quartet. The original 2-CD version is long OOP, but the remastered 50th Anniversary 1-CD version is still available:
This version isn't actually missing any music, per se, it just doesn't have the mono versions of tracks that also appear in stereo. For most people, it should suit them just fine! The notes include instructions on how to recreate the complete film sequence, if that's your wish.
Thanks for clarifying. And as I said, either edition is just as fine
My favs are PETER GUNN, THE BLUES AND THE BEAT, THE MANCINI TOUCH, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, COMBO, THE GREAT RACE, THE PARTY, ME NATALIE, SUNFLOWER, THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN, WHO IS KILLING THE GREAT CHEFS OF EUROPE?, THE ADVENTURES OF THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE, SWITCH and TOM & JERRY. I also have a nice, fanmade 2CD set with disc one devoted to his famous themes, the second disc his underrated dramatic genre music. Was it Dana Wilcox who sent this to me once upon a time, I can't remember?
But anyway, I have plenty more to explore.
Also, if you wait a bit, you'll have the entire discography of Mancini mentioned here. That's usually how these recommendation threads go.
My favs are PETER GUNN, THE BLUES AND THE BEAT, THE MANCINI TOUCH, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, COMBO, THE GREAT RACE, THE PARTY, ME NATALIE, SUNFLOWER, THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN, WHO IS KILLING THE GREAT CHEFS OF EUROPE?, THE ADVENTURES OF THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE, SWITCH and TOM & JERRY. I also have a nice, fanmade 2CD set with disc one devoted to his famous themes, the second disc his underrated dramatic genre music. Was it Dana Wilcox who sent this to me once upon a time, I can't remember?
But anyway, I have plenty more to explore.
Also, if you wait a bit, you'll have the entire discography of Mancini mentioned here. That's usually how these recommendation threads go.
Yes, Thor. When someone asks EVERYONE what their favorites are, the gamut is usually the end result.
As there is no such thing as absolute best, that's the result.
Stay away from Me, Natalie unless you love the awfully screetchy voice of Rod McKuen who sings the the songs he wrote the lyrics for (I find it terrible).
I girasoli (Sunflower) raised high expectations long before I purchased the Quartet release many years ago. - And then, I didn't like it very much. The sirupy main theme is not my cup of tea, and that tea dominates the entire two discs. So, that can be very boring and unpleasant.
Ma favourite RCA album is certainly Hatari!
Hear the playlist which also includes the vocal version of the song that is usually omitted on the regular 9 track album (for unknown reasons):
If you're looking for a Mancini starter pack, HENRY MANCINI: THE CLASSIC SOUNDTRACK COLLECTION is a great release, especially if you can nab it on sale:
A great value for EIGHTEEN essential classic albums! You get: Breakfast at Tiffany's; The Pink Panther; Hatari!; The Great Race; Two for the Road; Arabesque; Me, Natalie; Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?; The Return of the Pink Panther; Charade; Oklahoma Crude; What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?; High Time; Experiment in Terror; Darling Lili; Gunn; The Party; and Visions of Eight. Some of them have since been expanded, or the film tracks released, but these are Mancini's original album presentations, and they're a fantastic representation of his work. (Do be aware that this is a "cardboard sleeves" release, no jewel cases.)
This is streaming on Apple Music so I put it on last night and just let it go. Normally I need to have seen the movie to enjoy a score but in this case I didn't care, I was just in a Mancini mood. Yeah this is a fantastic release. And I've got a lot of exploring to do of the films of his I've never seen.
