Julie Andrews with an underrated gem of a score
Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 11/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"DARLING LILI was one of Julie Andrews' biggest flops, a movie musical about a German spy masquerading as a cabaret singer. Henry Mancini's score for the film (with lyrics by Johnny Mercer) is haunting, romantic and brilliant and includes the bittersweet ballad "Whistling Away the Dark".Julie Andrews is, of course, fetching in everything she does, and DARLING LILI is no exception. Andrews infuses "Whistling Away the Dark" with a smokey timbre in her voice which she rarely utilised before or after this musical. She's also lovely in the jaunty musical-hall number "I'll Give You Three Guesses" and later gets raw and raunchy for the strip-tease version, also featured on this album."Smile Away Each Rainy Day" and "The Girl in No Man's Land" are both delivered exceptionally by Andrews; and Gloria Paul is featured in the number "Your Good-Will Ambassador".Julie Andrews fans should snap up this album before the publisher decides to delete it. Amazon.com import this particular album, which is only available from the Spanish RCA-label."
Mancini & Andrews Perfection
Joseph Vannoy | 07/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Of all the Julie Andrews CDs I own (MARY POPPINS, SOUND OF MUSIC, CAMELOT, VICTOR/VICTORIA, & this one), DARLING LILI is the one by far. Julie shows such grace and versatility on this soundtrack. Her voice combined with the music of the master of music Henry Mancini ("Moon River," "Baby Elephant Walk," etc.) makes for the perfect soundtrack. The songs are positively haunting. "Whistling Away the Dark" is probably the best song Miss Andrews ever sang on film. The two different renditions of "I'll Give You Three Guesses" are each in there own way magnificent. There are some songs not featuring Julie Andrews. One song I love sung by the character Crepe Sousette is "Good Will Ambassador." The best instrumental piece is the one titled "Gypsy Violin." It's deep and makes an impact if you let it. Still, Julie Andrews really makes the album, but only by the good music of Henry Mancini. Again, an excellent CD."
5-STARS PLUS
Greg J. Sandie | Lakewood, California United States | 09/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whether you liked the movie or not (I did but Rock Hudson was miscast, i.e., it bombed); the simply truth is Henry Mancini and Julie Andrews together is unbeatable. The song THE GIRL ON NO MAN'S LAND is worth the price of the CD alone .... only Mancini's/Andrews' I LIKE MY JAZZ HOT (Victor/Victoria) comes close to it. Get it before they're out of it. You can't purchase it in a store in USA. They (AMAZON) are importing it from Spain."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1