Nelson Riddle Paris When It Sizzles/Interprets Great Music Great Films Great Sounds CD

2 LPs on 1 CD: PARIS WHEN IT SIZZLES (1963) / INTERPRETS GREAT MUSIC GREAT FILMS GREAT SOUNDS (1965).
A 2005 Collectables two-fer paired Nelson Riddle's score for the 1963 Audrey Hepburn-William Holden vehicle Paris When It Sizzles with Riddle's 1965 collection of movie themes, Great Music Great Films Great Sounds. The first alternates easy listening string pieces ("Brandy Glow," "Touch of Tenderness") with interesting genre exercises such as "Bastille Cha Cha Cha," "Gaby Blues," and "Tango de Paris." The latter is much more interesting, allowing Riddle to perform his interpretive magic on a set of more familiar numbers (although some were only contemporary hits). Riddle's version of the Mancini/Mercer favorite "Charade" is nearly as good as the original, and the mild menace of "Follow Me" (the love song from Mutiny on the Bounty) makes it a standout as well. Best of all are the four Rodgers & Hart compositions that close the program. ~ John Bush