Personnel:
Music From The CBS Television Series
Reference: BMCD 3509
Bar code: 8427328035095
Our experience with the Peter Gunn TV series taught us a great deal here at Spartan Productions. One of the most important things we learned was that the proper background music makes a very sizeable contribution to the dramatic qualities of a television show. We attribute much of Peter Gunns success to the great descriptive scores created by our musical director Henry Mancini.
It is not surprising, then, that Mancini was called in during the very early planning stages of our new series, Mr. Lucky. Once again he was given the assignment of coming up with fresh and exciting music. This time, however, the characters and situations demanded an entirely different approach.
Lucky is a true cosmopolite. Hes been everywhere, seen and done just about everything and knows everybody. He has a suave, sophisticated, polished and international demeanor. His adventures may involve anyone from a Bowery bum to a deposed king. Hes a mystery man, intriguing to women, admired and envied by men.
Mancinis ambitious assignment was to project, musically, Luckys involved personality along with those of his amusing sidekick, Andamo, and Luckys beautiful girl friends. Since we were fully aware of Mancinis creative talent, we were not at all surprised when he again delivered exactly what we wanted. We also knew, from experience, that this excellent music would continue week after week.
Because of the wide scope of the characterizations, Hank uses a variety of instruments and ideas. When strings are called for, you hear them. If the mood or character demands a jazz inflection, there it is. Whether the situation is romantic, humorous, tragic, ironic or full of action, Mancini creates exactly the right musical mood.
Each of the selections in this album is based on a theme used in our Mr. Lucky series. Their dramatic value is already proven. Beyond that, however, these compositions have all the ingredients of fine music apart from the show: originality, excitement, compelling themes, colorful orchestration, inventive harmonies and interesting rhythms.
So this album is Mr. Lucky and it is good music. In addition, it is Henry Mancini. That, in itself, is sufficient recommendation for me.
-Blake Edwards (director, screenwriter & producer)
