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Monica Mancini: The Dreams Of Johnny Mercer
ByPopular music has a wide audience appeal. How can we forget classics such as “Skylark,” “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” and “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive?” For her tribute to Johnny Mercer, Mancini has included seven songs composed by Barry Manilow. After the songwriter’s passing, Ginger Mercer, his wife, discovered unpublished lyrics among his possessions. Some of these were passed to Manilow. The collaborative result enhances Mancini’s pop album.
Guests Alvin Chea, Warren Luening, Dean Parks and Sal Lozano complement the singer’s charming interpretations. That all lyrics are included in the album’s liner notes serves to remind us of the intended emphasis. Each song has a story to tell. The mood changes from slow and dreamy to hot and spicy. Percussionists Munyungo Jackson, Michito Sanchez and Tiki Pasillas feed the fire on several tracks. While Mancini’s vocal approach remains impersonal and devoid of a distinguishing style, she’s surrounded herself with a stellar cast for this tribute that succeeds in highlighting the lyrics of a legendary songwriter.
Track Listing
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive; Something Tells Me; Skylark; The Weekend of a Private Secretary; With My Lover Beside Me; When October Goes; On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe; When the Meadow was Bloomin
Personnel
Monica Mancini
vocalsMonica Mancini- vocals; Randy Waldman- keyboards; David Torres, Michael Lang- piano; Chuck Berghofer, George Lopez- bass; Gregg Field- drums & percussion; Dean Parks- guitar; Ricardo
Album information
Title: The Dreams Of Johnny Mercer | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Concord Music Group
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