VA • Shots In The Dark - Tribute To Henry Mancini

 

The mid-'90s lounge revival has also spawned corresponding contemporary space age pop revivalists, meaning that this Henry Mancini tribute album -- a project which would have had few takers just a few years previously -- probably had no problem assembling its 20 participants. These are mostly acts who come from the rock world to the lounge, not vice versa. Friends of Dean Martinez, Poison Ivy (from the Cramps), and Man or Astroman? (whose fuzzy blast through "Touch of Evil" is one of the collection's highlights) are the only artists that are even moderately well known, unless you want to count a newly waxed effort by '60s surf-psychedelic guitarist Davie Allan. Like almost all tribute albums, it's an uneven affair, usually presenting a rock-oriented take on Mancini classics like "Baby Elephant Walk," "Peter Gunn Theme," "The Pink Panther Theme," "Days of Wine and Roses," and "Moon River." Most try to strike a balance between reverence and original interpretation, with varying degrees of success; the more daring ones, like Br. Cleve's sci-fi take on "Push the Button, Max!" and Nan Vernon's vinyl-scratched, cheap organ rendition of "Moon River," are the best.
https://allmusic-wingsofdream.blogspot.com/2024/02/va-shots-in-dark-tribute-to-henry.html

///////

El resurgimiento del lounge a mediados de los 90 también ha generado revivalistas del pop de la era espacial contemporánea, lo que significa que este álbum tributo a Henry Mancini, un proyecto que habría tenido pocos interesados solo unos años antes, probablemente no tuvo problemas para reunir a sus 20 participantes. En su mayoría son actos que vienen del mundo del rock al lounge, no al revés. Friends of Dean Martinez, Poison Ivy (de The Cramps) y Man or Astroman? (cuya explosión difusa a través de "Touch of Evil" es uno de los aspectos destacados de la colección) son los únicos artistas medianamente conocidos, a menos que quieras contar un esfuerzo recién grabado del guitarrista surf-psicodélico de los 60 Davie Allan. Como casi todos los álbumes tributo, es un asunto desigual, que generalmente presenta una versión orientada al rock de clásicos de Mancini como "Baby Elephant Walk", "Peter Gunn Theme", "The Pink Panther Theme", "Days of Wine and Roses" y "Moon River". La mayoría trata de lograr un equilibrio entre reverencia e interpretación original, con diversos grados de éxito; las más atrevidas, como la versión de ciencia ficción de Br. Cleve de "Push the Button, Max!" y la versión de Nan Vernon con órgano barato y rayones de vinilo de "Moon River", son las mejores.
https://allmusic-wingsofdream.blogspot.com/2024/02/va-shots-in-dark-tribute-to-henry.html

Tracks:
1 - The Boardwalkers - Banzai Pipeline
2 - Poison Ivy - Peter Gunn Theme
3 - The Jigsaw Seen - Baby Elephant Walk
4 - The Blue Hawaiians - Charade (Instrumental)
5 - Four Piece Suit - Something For Cat
6 - Elliot Easton's Tiki Gods - Mr. Lucky
7 - Oranj Symphonette - The Pink Panther Theme
8 - Friends Of Dean Martinez - Lonesome
9 - The Wondermints - The Party
10 - The Tiki Tones - Monkey Farm
11 - Wiskey Biscuit - A Shot In The Dark
12 - Man Or Astro-Man? - Touch Of Evil
13 - Wonderful World Of Joey - Days Of Wine And Roses
14 - Br. Cleve & His Lush Orchestra - Dreamsville
15 - Del Noah & The Mt. Ararat Finks - Push The Button, Max!
16 - Fariña - Charade (Vocal Version)
17 - Insect Surfers - Mr. Yunioshi
18 - The Huntington Cads - Arabesque
19 - Davie Allan & The Arrows - Experiment In Terror
20 - Nan Vernon - Moon River


Credits:
Various Artists featuring:
The Boardwalkers, Poison Ivy (The Cramps), The Jigsaw Seen, The Blue Hawaiians, Four Piece Suit, Elliot Easton's Tiki Gods, Oranj Symphonette, Friends Of Dean Martinez, The Wondermints, The Tiki Tones, Wiskey Biscuit, Man Or Astro-Man?, Wonderful World Of Joey, Br. Cleve & His Lush Orchestra, Del Noah & The Mt. Ararat Finks, Fariña, Insect Surfers, The Huntington Cads, Davie Allan & The Arrows, Nan Vernon
Produced by Bob Keane
Liner Notes by Joseph Lanza
Track Descriptions by Bryan Thomas
Design by Josh Agle (SHAG)
Cover Model: Rose McGowan

Label: Donna Records / Del-Fi
Catalog: DOCD 2113
Barcode: 714997211324
Country: USA
Released: 1996
Genre: Pop/Rock, Easy Listening, Lounge
Style: Alternative/Indie Rock, Surf Revival, Exotica, Space Age Pop, Lounge
Duration: 67:37

Notes: This tribute album was part of the mid-1990s lounge revival movement, featuring contemporary surf, indie rock, and alternative bands covering 20 classic Henry Mancini compositions. The album was released on Del-Fi Records, the legendary label founded by Bob Keane (who also produced this compilation). The cover features actress Rose McGowan in a pulp fiction-style photograph. Track 20 "Moon River" by Nan Vernon includes a hidden track (track 21) featuring a Japanese language version of the song. The album showcases a wide range of interpretations, from reverent instrumental versions to experimental takes incorporating vinyl scratches, surf guitar, and space-age pop elements. Poison Ivy's cover of "Peter Gunn Theme" became one of the standout tracks. Designer Josh Agle, known professionally as SHAG, created the distinctive retro-style artwork. The vinyl edition was pressed on pink vinyl but omits several tracks from the CD version.

 

This file is intended only for preview!
I ask you to delete the file from your hard drive or device after reading it.
thank for the original uploader