The Johnny Mann Singers - Sixties Mann

Mann, oh Mann

Back in the mid-90s, during the seismic shift in record collecting taste, we had the easy listening “boom”; The Johnny Mann Singers’ old 60s albums were transformed from junk shop fodder to desirable commodities, which defined the very essence of lounge music. Johnny Mann wasn’t an unknown quantity, of course: his hit version of Jimmy Webb’s Up, Up & Away has been a gold radio staple ever since it charted in 1967. DJs from the last decade were, however, drawn instead to his dreamy arrangements of less “easy” rock and pop hits of the day.

So, on Sixties Mann, one of many fine Él titles of music from the smooth side, The Yardbirds’ Heartful Of Soul immediately grabs attention. British beat/R&B sensibilities are dispensed with; thrillingly, the song becomes a showtune spectacular in the hands of Mann and his singers. Elsewhere, The Beatles’ She Loves You boasts a charming choral quality. Precious few of the other 21 tracks offer such a refreshing twist on familiar easy-pop fare, though: The Girl From Ipanema, Call Me, Windy, To Sir With Love. Still, it’s difficult to resist the Singers’ delightful harmonies, the missing link between The Kings Singers and Mamas & Papas.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Él ACMEM | 53 CD

Reviewed by John Reed
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