Let's talk about the stand outs ~ "GONE WITH THE WIND"(1939-Steiner), based on
Margaret Mitchell's novel with Rhett Butler(Clark Gable), Scarlett O'Hara(Vivien Leigh-won
for Best Actress), Mammy(Hattie McDaniel-won for Best Supporting Actress), Victor
Fleming(won for Best Director) and GWTW(won for Best Picture), Steiner was nominated
for Best Score, it was Steiner's score that gave each character life through his epic-sweeping
soundtrack, Faith writes an uncanny arrangement and travels beyond Steiner's original(if that's
possible) take it from me, I have both in my collection...another Steiner classic "THE DARK
AT THE TOP OF STAIRS"(theme), not a familiar release(only if you're a fan), but Faith
does so much with this one, counterpoints and melodic changes are
event..."LAURA"(1944-David Raksin), being a film-noir enthusiast is at the top of my list as a
CLASSIC, but let's not stop there, Faith's arrangement turned heads and he was getting the
recognition deserved, sweeping strings, brass and percussion almost collide as the Maestro
gives the signal...the last Steiner score became one of Percy Faith's signature tunes "THEME
FROM A SUMMER PLACE", couldn't go anywhere and not hear this CLASSIC among
CLASSICS, this arrangement and special moment in ones life will never be replaced, gotta
love it.

Highlight pick is ~ "TEMPTATION", big song for Bing Crosby(film), later by Perry
Como(gold record), but this instrumental orchestration is so dynamic, takes you into another
stratosphere(which is nothing for our Maestro)..."BEGIN THE BEGUINE"(Cole Porter),
opening almost sounds like a different song, but when Faith's string section comes in and the
bolero beat takes over you're in heaven, entire orchestra is right on, but wait and listen to the
mood-swing as the plucking of strings change into a drifting cloud, percussion abounds with
every instrument joining in the big finish..."THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC"(Arlen/Mercer),
echoing strings relate to a muted brass, each string section takes on the harmonious
counter-balance, now we build into a Latin-American rhythmic tempo(which Faith can do in a
heartbeat), strings answer each call from the brass and percussion sections, another FAITH
CLASSIC...my last highlight pick is ~ "SOPHISTICATED LADY"(Duke Ellington), this can
only get better with one of my composer-heroes Duke Ellington, how can you interpret his
music unless you're Percy Faith, and this interpretation is lustiest with strings, followed by
velvety brass and the sound is SO SWEET, you want it to go on forever...and through the
generosity of Collectables Records it can, this is a must have for ALL fans and connoisseurs
of "Our Man From Canada" ~ PERCY FAITH!

Total Time: 77:52 on 23 Tracks ~ Collectables Records COL-5843 ~ (1997)