Sunday, December 18, 2011


Henry Mancini & The Philadelphia Orch. Pops
"Debut!" (VInyl)

I'm not sure what this record is a debut for. I think it's a debut recording of the Philadelphia Pops (probably late to the game after Arthur Fiedler's success with the Boston Pops) because the whole second side of this record are Mancini hits including "Strings on Fire!" and "Drummer's Delight."
The whole side one, however, is a different story.
Titled "Beaver Valley - '37" it is an autobiographical account of Mancini's childhood in Pennsylvania. With plenty of solos from the likes of John de Lancie and Norman Carol this record is a fun throw-back to Ormandy-era Philly Orchestra where (hopefully) they were learning not to take things too seriously.

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