Four CD set (seven albums, two of which appear here on CD for the first time!.) Between late 1953 and 1960, the famous actor, television comedian and host Jackie Gleason recorded a series of best selling albums featuring B... more »obby Hackett as a soloist. . It was Gleason's idea to call Hackett when he was putting his first easy listening album together. He gave Hackett free rein to improvise over the melody, and a distant and fading coda of Hackett's playing closed many a Gleason number. Hackett was the only performer to be mentioned by name on Gleason's albums for several years. The Gleason-Hackett collaborations are in no way standard Jazz recordings. They really belong to that category of light music that was known as "lounge music", and seen under that light they are truly effective pieces; gentle, kind and evocative.« less
Four CD set (seven albums, two of which appear here on CD for the first time!.) Between late 1953 and 1960, the famous actor, television comedian and host Jackie Gleason recorded a series of best selling albums featuring Bobby Hackett as a soloist. . It was Gleason's idea to call Hackett when he was putting his first easy listening album together. He gave Hackett free rein to improvise over the melody, and a distant and fading coda of Hackett's playing closed many a Gleason number. Hackett was the only performer to be mentioned by name on Gleason's albums for several years. The Gleason-Hackett collaborations are in no way standard Jazz recordings. They really belong to that category of light music that was known as "lounge music", and seen under that light they are truly effective pieces; gentle, kind and evocative.
Richard M. Caputo | Warren, New Jersey United States | 01/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like a breath of fresh air this music revives the soul. The playing is impeccable(Bobby Hackett's horn just connects with each melody so well) the mood relaxed, the arrangements lush without being boring. Jackie, "that guy from Bushwick" really worked for the working man. He brought us great comedy in the dark days of the Cold War (remember ONE FAMILY around one TV? - something sorely missing today); made us laugh at the Ralph and Norton in all of us. His "Merry Christmas" album will forever be a part of my holiday music - so well arranged, so real, so personal.
Finding this collection is like finding treasures in the attic - can one believe these were created over 50 years ago? The sound is as fresh as today, all the liner notes and artwork are included along with short bios of Jackie and Bobby. Seems like whoever put this together did it as a labor of love.
Let's face it - there may be newer, louder, quicker, hyped, on-steroids playing out there BUT simply stated - Jackie and Bobby have class - these recordings have stood the test of time."
Put all four CDs on and enjoy the next five hours
Steve Emerine | Tucson, AZ United States | 09/25/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For the first time, all 102 of trumpeter Bobby Hackett's smooth but original solos with the Jackie Gleason Orchestra are available in one package. Fine and Mellow, a new firm for me, has combined the Hackett-Gleason renditions of standards and love songs from seven Capitol LPs they recorded between 1953 and 1960. The result is more than five hours of beautiful music for anything you want to do inside or out. If you have one or more of the LPs, the only thing missing from this four-CD set are eight tracks saxophonist Toots Mondello soloed on for the first Gleason-Hackett album, "Music to Make You Misty." Fan reaction to Hackett's playing on that album prompted Gleason to use Bobby as his only soloist on the other six projects. Sound quality is great on this package, and a full-color 24-page booklet reproduces the original covers for all seven albums. I've noticed a variance of up to $15 in new prices for this collection. Buy the set, but you should shop around."
Romantic Music
BlueFlame | Houston, Texas | 07/27/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These arrangements go back to the 50's and 60's, when easy listening music was popular on FM radio. Easy listening or mood music helped take the edge off everyday life, as it played day and night quietly in the background in offices, stores, and homes. Gleason designed a formula for mood music, written specifically to help ease into and enhance intimate romance. This music was smooth and silky enough to never disturb the mood, and had a certain predicable ebb and flow that provided subtle but tantalizing cues for lovers. Gleason's formula: Start gently with string orchestra and bass, and maybe a little tinkling piano for added allure. Then Bobby Hackett joins in, adding a velvety, romantic trumpet solo to the texture. The flowing strings then grow and swell to an impossibly ecstatic climax, sometimes with Hackett playing fills to add to the pleasure. Then, to provide relief, the song ends quietly, but not before Hackett plays a wistful coda or two to prolong the ecstasy for one last fleeting moment. Baby boomers noticed that playing a little of this music on their stereos helped them unwind in the evenings, and perked up the passion in their living rooms and bedrooms. Housewives stayed tuned to easy listening stations, taking pleasure in how a few Gleason selections here and there spiced up the day with quiet suggestions of blissful romantic interludes. Many FM stations added extra Gleason and Hackett to their evening programming, knowing listeners were enjoying themselves as Bobby's codas drifted off into the midnight hour. The widespread delight with Gleason's simple formula paved the way for album after album of luscious romantic music and countless nights of rapture. It's no wonder people liked to stay tuned to mood music stations in those days. Best of all, this music is still just as effective today in the shuffle mode on your ipod; a perfect musical background to help you and someone special relax together and just let everything go. This is all 102 tracks of it, and it's certain to satisfy...."
One of a kind
Harry Callaghan | USA | 11/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i have looked through hundreds of garage sales to get all the vinyl records of Jackie Gleason (oh, that is in the comedy section!). In this collection is the object of my search. No one can play as smoothly or as hauntingly as Bobby Hackett. Great buy!"
Cocktails, anyone?
Jmark2001 | Florida | 05/26/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like lounge music, cocktail music, make-out music with a fifties sensibility, or relaxing background music to play after a long day at work, the team of Jackie Gleason and Hackett can't be beat. This is the original chill music. I put this on and I zone out - sometimes, I even fall into a wonderful nap where dreams of suburban peace and comfort fill my head. I used to buy these albums at garage sales for twenty-five cents each and rush home as if I had discovered gold. Now you can get it all on cd. Love this."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1
