Donna P. from BATTLE CREEK, MI Reviewed on 2/18/2020...
I do like covers of standards done with a full orchestra, and this one fits the bill.
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Good anthology, well annotated
03/24/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those of us who have long wondered what the music sounded like on those Jackie Gleason albums long out of print ("Lover's Portfolio," "Rebound," "Lonesome Echo" and so forth), this is a good place to start. Selections from no less than 31 of Gleason's Capitol albums from the 50s and 60s can be found here along with single releases and previously unreleased sides. For each track the liner notes list recording date, soloist, and album on which the track first appeared.The instrumentations on these sides range from full string orchestra with soloist (often trumpet) to brass orchestra to flute orchestra to mandolin orchestra (try it--you'll like it). The selections here are mostly standards with a few Gleason originals thrown in--one of these, "The Moonlight," is breathtaking. Wistful, yearning, and always romantic are the superb renditions of "Ruby," "I'm in the Mood for Love," "You Oughta Be in Pictures," and "I Can't Get Started." I've listened to these tracks over and over and haven't tired of them yet!Get this compilation while it's still in print and let's all try to persuade Capitol to re-release some of Jackie Gleason's original albums--"Music, Martinis and Memories" inter alia."
"The Great One"
Steve Rawlings | Denver, CO USA | 03/21/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jackie Gleason was one of the entertainment world's renaissance men. He was an accomplished comedian, actor, arranger, and composer. His music will forever serve as his living legacy. His works set the standard for many of the great musicians who followed, including Mantovani, Mauriat, and others. This CD eloquently captures the soft, sultry, and seductive sounds from an era that was Jackie's alone. Jackie could not read a note of music, yet he composed and arranged some the of finest music ever recorded in America. He was a gifted artist who could blend the sounds from a crystal-clear coronet, with a simmering sax, soaring strings, and a deep, resonant bass to create an ambiance for romance, reflection, and rapture. From his signature work "Melancholy Serenade" to contemporary classics like "Ruby" and "Misty," the music flows like vintage wine..."
Gorgeous Heavenly Music!
HUGO | HOUSTON, TEXAS United States | 12/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This double Cd compilation Of Jackie Gleason's Finest recordings is heavenly! I bought the David Duchovny Dvd "RETURN TO ME" and was so overwhelmed by the music soundtrack featuring Dean Martin & Jackie Gleason. Those guys were among the finest balladeers and musicians who have ever existed. I can recall both men's variety shows on television when I was a small child and how my parents just loved watching every one of them weekly. For all of you true music lovers, PLEASE get the "Return To Me" soundtrack(see the movie...you'll laugh, you'll cry...great new romantic lovestory classic!) and also get this great Jackie Gleason double disc as well as Dean Martin's "The Capitol Years" double disc mini-box set. All this music has never really gone out of style! It's been revived by the likes of LINDA RONSTADT(her Nelson Riddle Orchestra albums in the 80's), Harry Connick(90's), and the great new classy balladeer JOEY GIAN, who is featured both on the "Return To Me"(2000)movie & the soundtrack. Many other artists are still keeping this music alive all over the world."
The Romantic Moods Of Jackie Gleason
Jeff Carter | Perry, Ga United States | 01/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This compilation features a lot of Gleason's more lush tunes.There is a few brass ones but most of them are lush.Meloncholy seranade is one of the brass ones though.If you love beautiful music you will love the following songs on this cd.Glamour This is one of my favorites and also you occasionally here an organ mixed with the strings.The Last DanceI Can't Get StartedRubyThe Shadow Of Your SmileMidnight SunThere are others.Almost every song on this cd is garnered with heavy lush strings and accompined by Bobby Hacket's horn.This Gleason cd get's played on dish networks easy instrumentals channel 973 and also gets played at wktz at jones.edu.A lot of beautiful music stations use to play these songs by Gleason.
Unfortuanly most music stores like best buy and media play have decided not to carry this title they use to but it's good to know you can still get it from amazon.com.Just put this cd on when you want to relax.It's ashamed radio stations don't play relaxing music by Jackie Gleason,Percy Faith,Frank Chacksfield,the 101 Strings and others any more but at least we can enjoy them on cd.I also recommend Jackie Gleason's instrumental favorites cd.It has got a lot of beautiful music that isn't on this one if you can still find it.A lot of people usually associate Gleason with the honeymooners tv show but they don't realize he was an important beautiful music artist as well."
Music to relax with!
walter | Massachusetts, USA. | 11/10/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is music at its best! If you like Quiet songs you can relax with get this CD! Jackie Gleason is an artist of which, not many people can come close to coppying."