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Children's Music |
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The Music of Raymond Scott / Reckless Nights and Turkish Twilights
Studio : Sony
by Sony
Release Date : 1992-11-10
Publisher : Sony
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
EAN : 0074645302829
UPC : 074645302829
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 8 reviews)
List Price : $11.98
Our Price : $13.99
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Americancivilwar.com |
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Prewar gems from a long-neglected master. Scott's career as composer, bandleader, and electronic-music pioneer is just beginning to be rediscovered. Here he mixes swing jazz with classical forms, exotica (long before there even was such a thing), and his own hyperactive melodies to create a timeless sound. Many of the bouncy tunes are recognizable from their constant use in cartoon soundtracks over the years: the classic "Powerhouse," a jittery mix of an edgy scherzo and a relentless march (as well as a favorite of Looney Toons composer Carl Stalling); the jaunty "The Toy Trumpet"; and the dizzying "Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals." Scott's original recordings with his Quintette (which, strangely enough, consisted of six musicians) are a delight, and the invention and energy never let up. --Heidi MacDonald |
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Happy Syncopation |
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What a great stress-buster! The syncopated rhythms and happy melodies perk up a dull day at the office and help me breeze through household chores. |
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The cartoons of my childhood only whetted my appetite for this great music |
Honestly, I purchased this CD after someone played "Powerhouse" and I recognized the song from many of the classic Warner Brothers' cartoons of the 40's and 50's. I had heard this piece many times but never appreciated how fantastic it was without animation accompanying it. I purchased this CD and it just blows my mind that so few people know anything about Raymond Scott. All the pieces are interesting but the amazing feel of his music comes from how well he paints a picture through sound. "Tobacco Auctioneer" and "At an Arabian House Party" both floored me with the musical moods that he arranged.
Scott also stands out as a great example of closely arranged and innovative jazz. While he allowed some of the musicians to improvise during the sessions, he set the arrangement in stone once he had it "perfected", so some people may even disagree with classifying his music as jazz. Jazz or not, this music is more than a soundtrack to some great cartoons, it stands on its own as an unappreciated direction that instrucmental music took during the early 20th century.
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32 or 64 |
No, the name of this review isn't a misquote of a Chicago song title. It's simply a sneakily veiled way of saying that any man who writes music using 32nd and 64th notes can't be all bad. Raymond Scott was clearly in a class by himself. He was the very best at what he did: composing complex, varied music that sounds modern even 70 years later--and that's hard to do, folks!
A new version of track one, "Powerhouse" (Scott's most famous work), was used in a 2007 TV commercial for a debit card-- perhaps you saw the machine-like lunchroom that hums until a man DARES to pay for his meal with, of all things, CASH. Yep, that music is the very same "Powerhouse." (Scott's original was recorded in early 1937.) Besides that signature piece and the equally famous "Toy Trumpet," be sure to give a listen to "The Penguin." You may have heard it before. But ALL these songs are wonderful, and there's lots to like on RECKLESS NIGHTS AND TURKISH TWILIGHTS.
Often, Raymond Scott's compositions sound like an early form of be-bop. Not always easily approachable, yet it's still definitely worth the effort to get to know the man's music. Analog to digital transfers are of the highest quality, while content and performance are unparalleled. Album includes a nicely detailed 20 page booklet. Very highest recommendation.
TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 61:32 |
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THIS IS THE OLD VERSION -- ORDER REMASTERED INSTEAD!!! |
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THIS IS THE OLD VERSION -- DON'T ORDER FROM THIS PAGE! BE SURE YOU ORDER THE REMASTERED (ALSO AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON.COM) INSTEAD!! The new, remastered version from SONY sounds better, the booklet has been updated, PLUS: it's cheaper! |
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A brilliant composer |
Raymond Scott cannot really be categorized. Constant references to the use of his music in cartoons are unfair. Scott approaches each of his pieces as a total composition, which is why they usually sound so good in even the most trite cover versions. Scott's curiosity about music & musical instruments was insatiable. The compositions on this CD are the core of Scott's art, & the starting point.
Irwin Chusid, this CD's producer, pulled Raymond Scott's music out of obscurity & firmly established him as more than a composer of novelties. See review below for more information on the mastering of this CD.
Bob Rixon |
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