At The Movies - Mantovani

Advantages: Like Boz Scaggs - love this album
Disadvantages: Hate Boz Scaggs - why are you reading this?

...only hear in lifts, as arranged for Mantovani’s Cascading Strings. This album, his first for seven years or so, is a pretty reasonable mixture of jazz, R&B, smoochy stuff and old-fashioned Scaggs magic…and puppies. Payday, the opening number, is introduced by some distorted guitar and a bit of hi-hat ‘n’ cowbells before the keyboards and guitar, supported by some solid bass, come in and let you know that this is Boz…no suprises! Gentle lead, a nice bit of brass in the background, and Mr Scaggs offering up a blues lyric which offers the notion that, as it’s payday, it might be a decent time to party. At points, it sounds a little ‘disco’ and at others it sounds like the kind of thing Simply Red were covering back in the old days when they were musicians, and no-one minded being seen buying their records. Track 2: Sarah, is a ballady... Read review

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Advantages: Brilliant rock classical sounds, great songs
Disadvantages: None

...of my favourite songs of ELO. Need Her Love ***** Again a very quiet opening with electronic sounds, keyboard and muted guitar builds up with gentle strings to a gentle romantic ballad. The video superimposes pop art imagery and the ELO space ship symbol over the group’s performance. The Diary Of Horace Wimp ** The introduction suggests Sparky’s magic piano meets Mantovani. Otherwise it is a jaunty enough upbeat number with little distinguishing features. This is not my favourite track on this album – although a great many people disagreed with me and made it a hit single. The accompanying cartoon animations are diverting. Last Train To London *** A good railway rhythm from the bass and drums pervades the backing of this track. Good swirling strings too. (Video) The song is performed on a stage with dry ice swirling about... Read review

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Advantages: It is a must have, must listen to
Disadvantages: None

...This is a movie I have so far watched 4 times! The CD is one of my favourites. This is the ultimate threat for Cuban music, and the influence Buena Vista had in terms of attracting more people to the Cuban music cannot be described. Beautifully shot, never boring, always moving, always real to the point of being a documentary, always lyric to the point of moving me to tears of commotion. The musicians depicted in the movie are living legends, are unique. The album is superb, and, once you have seen the movie, is the best way of calling up the images of the movie. Highly recommended, both the album and the movie.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful