Henry Mancini - The Blues and the Beat (1960) - 99¢ Record #3

Henry Mancini was an American composer known for his film and TV scores as well as recording over ninety albums. The songs here are upbeat with lots of low bass and swinging horns. When the album started I felt I was drinking martinis in a detective movie and this makes some sense since I read Mancini composed the theme to The Pink Panther. The Blues side songs (first 6 songs) all have a light fresh air about them with bass flutes and french horns creating unusally mellow sounds. The Beat side songs (the last six songs) made me think of a big band playing jazz. An interesting and relaxing combination making this easy for repeat listens. There is not a lot of information about this album. The LP has held up for the last fifty years and for 99¢ it is a much better deal than the seventy dollar CD at Amazon.

Tracks:
1. Blues
2. Smoke Rings
3. Misty
4. Blue Flame
5. After Hours
6. Mood Indigo
7. Beat
8. Big Noise from Winnetka
9. Alright, Okay, You Win
10. Tippin' In
11. How Could You Do a Thing Like That to Me
12. Sing, Sing, Sing

Better than a Sunday morning sermon.