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[.]. Mission Impossible just about put me to sleep instead of ramping me up like the original does.If you want fully orchestrated, put you to sleep, elevator music then this is the CD for you. I was expecting the original themes (such as Name of the Game, Mannix, and Banacek). What I got was remakes that sound like elevator music versions of the originals.
The recording has a generous playing time of 75 minutes. There are a few cracked pitches here and there, but as a brass player myself, I can appreciate the challenge of the writing. Orchestra personnel are not listed, which is too bad, because the orchestra is just great. The theme from "Banacek" is a gem. John Gregory is a name not known to me, probably because he is from the UK.
This is an outstanding release. It's more purely jazz, not as suave as Johnson, but there's a tough, aggressive swagger about it that's quite engaging.Five of the 28 tracks--the ones from the earlier shows--are recorded in mono, but the sound is good. The others are all in excellent stereo.Highly recommended both for old tv show viewers and big band jazz fans. The dominating section is brass.
They play some very demanding parts with expertise. This CD is a compilation of work he did in the 60's and 70's. Gregory's treatment of "The Untouchables" is quite different from the original. It has a Mancini-like feel though it was written by Billy Goldenberg. Their work is tasty, subtle, and really propels the band.Then there are the themes themselves. Some, like "Mission Impossible" are available from any number of sources, but others--"Banacek","McMillan and Wife","Cannon"--are very hard to come by.
He gives it a James Bond flavor and also scores the woodwinds in imaginative colors. Some of the themes have woodwind parts and they are also well played--soulful but not obnoxious.
It really is just as good as the later Laurie Johnson theme. I haven't commented on all the themes present, but they are consistently enjoyable throughout the entire disc.
"The Avengers" here is the one Johnny Dankworth wrote for the series when Honor Blackman starred in it. There are 28 tv show themes, all from police shows and action dramas.
"Cannon" starred a horizontally-challenged policeman and the presence of tuba in the music helps get across just the right lumbering quality. Several tracks have two percussionists.
Instrumentation is about the same as a large jazz band. (Trumpet parts are often up in the nether region).
Gregory's version of CANNON is pretty darn good, too. One of my favorite TV theme compilations of all time.and just about the only place you can find good versions of IT TAKES A THIEF and THE NAME OF THE GAME.
Great themes,great arrangements and superb playing by the top session men in the UK(the drummer was Ronnie Verrell,ex Ted Heath Orchestra and ex Jack Parnell Orchestra.a real star in the recording).I don't think you'll be disappointed of you get this CD. A great album of themes.most of them true to the originals. Gregory conducts a big band that infuses the jazziness of the originals with a strong funk-rock feel.
Been a music lover and player for 34 years, so not easily impressed but that drummer.Only for the connaisseur and nostalgic:) Not only will the music bring back fond memories, but the band will knock you out. And the drummer is just unbelievable.
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