A Warm Shade Of Ivory – HENRY MANCINI****

In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning/Cycles/Moment To Moment/A Day In The Life Of A Fool/Watch What Happens/By The Time I Get To Phoenix/Love Theme From Romeo & Juliet/The Windmills Of Your Mind/When I Look In Your Eyes/Meditation/Dream A Little Dream Of Me

Henry Mancini's first release as a piano soloist was also his last LP which reached the top twenty. A Warm Shade Of Ivory includes the US No. 1 single Love Theme From Romeo & Juliet. (US:5)

"An interesting departure for composer/arranger Henry Mancini. The album focuses on his skill as a piano soloist, although he fills some of his usual roles as well, since he also wrote the arrangements. He had a hand in composing only one melody, Moment To Moment, and instead concerned himself with interpreting other composers' melodies. His lush orchestrations are reminiscent of Mantovani, as piano notes sparkle on the surface of immense waves of strings. The album's concept may have been a novel one for Mancini, but the music is not fundamentally different from his typical fare, and encompasses his usual assortment of traditional and adult pop melodies and film themes."

"A Warm Shade Of Ivory is a lovely, contemplative collection that combines Mancini's skills in new and unequivocally successful ways."

"This album is best known for the Love Theme From Romeo & Juliet, which is justly beautiful and deserves your attention. But here's the thing: Mancini was a pianist. He composed his music on piano - which benefits it a lot. The tonal and dynamic range of his best stuff comes from the versatility of the piano as an instrument, for sure. The concept behind this album was to showcase his touch and virtuosity on piano. And it does. But, in the late 1960s, this type of music was not appreciated by many."

"This particular recording I consider lush and romantic. You could always count on Henry Mancini to produce some great easy listening music."

"This album is the most melodic, soothing music I have ever listened to, and one that I continue to return to - it is that pretty. I cannot recommend this one enough, if you want to relax or be calmed. If heavy metal is more your style, this is not the one for you."