The Romantic Moods Of Jackie Gleason

I originally became aware of Gleason's recordings growing up in the 1960's. His albums were a staple on easy listening stations in that era. The music was differentiated from other instrumental selections of the genre, by the inclusion of jazz soloists. Mainly the trumpeter Bobby Hackett, who had been with notable orchestras during the big band era.In succeeding decades, my tastes have leaned towards cool jazz, notably the works of Miles Davis and Stan Getz. Also, Burt Bacharach, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Henry Mancini. I had dismissed the Gleason recordings as being too bland, without listening to them at any time in the recent past. The recordings became back into my view, when noticing them as part of the soundtrack in several Woody Allen movies. The music was immediately recognizable to me as the Gleason orchestra, even after many years of not hearing it. I enjoyed the music, and began to seek out a representative selection of Gleason recordings. The music is perfect for night time drives, and other periods of quiet reflection. The songs cover a large period of traditional American popular music spanning from the 1930's until the 1960's.The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5, is that the album is somewhat uneven, in that the musical arrangements range from the corniness of Lawrence Welk type of charts, on to hipness that rivals the works Gil Evans and Woody Herman. Being that this CD set is a compilation of previous albums, I suppose the variance in theme and moods is to be expected.

Here is a time capsule of the music the fell between the age of swing and emergence of pop music in the late 50's. Sure, it's sappy and kind of syrupy but...I'm fairly sure my mom had this stuff playing on the old DeMont radio in the kitchen when I was growing up. Not all of this, of course, but some of the music here is classic post war stuff, and, as such, should resonate for what it is: that peculiar space of time, in the post war era...let me put it this way: you know those old, big box radios people had back then? They were made by Telefunken, Blaupunkt, Phillips, etc., well, this was the music these beasts were meant to play. I collect and refurbish these radios for a market that most people don't know exists, and a couple of generations ago people like my father got out the soldering iron and made their own cables that connected their record players to radios and heard hi-fi for the first time.So here I am in 2011 and I connect my Sandisk player to my Phillips 1001 radio, and play stuff like this, well, you know...it takes me back a little. Gleason remains a national treasure. His legacy includes what is recorded here, and it should not be overlooked.As for that DuMont radio..it's in my office at work, and yes, it still works.

40 great songs on 2 cds. Some very relaxing music here. While it cannot be called "exotica" by the normal definition, if you squint your eyes, you can see it being put in that category. This was recommended by listeners of the Retro Cocktail Hour - and those folks have some good taste.I am glad I made the purchase - so if you appreciate good musicianship, production and you need to unwind after a hectic day - this is the cure!

Thus spake The Great One, Jackie Gleason, upon observing how much a romantic instrumental track added to the love scene in a Clark Gable movie.Gleason wasn't a musician himself. He couldn't read or write music. He didn't play an instrument. He would hear the music in his head and describe it to someone else who would write the notes. Jackie was a perfectionist until the sound he had imagined had been transcribed, played by an orchestra (consisting of the finest musicians of the day) and transfered to a recording.He had an unerring ear for beautiful, smooth jazz - what he called "plain vanilla music." He was after a sound, a mood. As he said, "It's 5 a.m. and you see her body outlined through her dress by the streetlight and you get that Mmmmmm...feeling."Mmmmmm.... Yes, that's what this music is. (Notice that there are no drums on these songs. Percussion wasn't part of the mood he was trying to create.)The 40 songs on this two CD set have been beautifully remastered. This is how Jackie wanted his music to sound - it's gorgeous!Highly recommended!

Although item was missing a booklet, everything else was fine. Booklet could have been missing before seller acquired it. But it wasn't discussed before hand so I can't really complain.

Absolute joy in listening to 98% of this CD set. There are only 2 out of the 40+_ arrengements that I dislike. Not the tune itself, but the featured instrument was abdominal. The 'Indian' Sitar is not the instrument to use for most any music other than Indian of Asian music, nor is using several 'Russian?' mandolins? sound better than a normal 'string instrument' when trying to create similar sounds. Other than the previous complaints, I absolutely love the music on both CD's in the set. I have a problem with my B/P and listening to either CD helps me relax and immerse myself in the memories of the past.

I recently purchased this double CD. It is one of many that I have added to my Jackie Gleason collection. His music takes me to another place and another time. No one does it or will ever do it better than Jackie did. I am so grateful to Amazon for making this beautiful music available to those of us who truly enjoy real music. So sit back solo, or with your sweetie with a glass of wine or a cup of your favorite tea and relax to the soothing, hauntingly beautiful music of the Great One. It don't get better than this!

I think that when it comes to romantic band sounds, Jackie Gleason is the best.Even more so when he has the great Bobby Hackett playing trumpet.If anyone hasn't heard this sound I strongly recommend you do.

Excellent quality of CD. Very good performance of musical excerpt.

Great music. Exactly what I expected. Received in perfect condition. Many thanks.

It's a sound that reflects romance and a time that once was...

I was not disappointed in this CD. It is lovely if you like lush orchestra music with a slight jazz overtone. This is a wonderful Orchestra and I love to play the CD at dinner time when we want quiet easy listening music to enjoy our meal with or when I sit down with a good book and want unobtrusive music in the background. It is quickly becoming one of my favorites.