[.ca] Children Of Sanchez

From Amazon.com:
Chuck Mangione composed this music for a film soundtrack in 1978, but it quickly took on a life of its own when it was released as a two LP set, garnering a loyalty the film never enjoyed. Its film origins certainly show both in the purely atmospheric quality of some of the music and in the earnest vocals and awkward lyrics that introduce the suite and later reappear. However, the simple themes and the powerful, minimal orchestrations--brass and drums for funereal military music; cello, flute, guitar, and eerie voice for the very pretty "Consuelo's Love Theme"--retain a strong appeal. Mangione's own performance on flügelhorn--sometimes hinting at Miles Davis's Sketches of Spain transported to harsher terrain--is frequently riveting, a darkly expressive, soulful element that conveys undiluted passion, sorrow, and joy. --Adam Rains

Wierd, But Good Album!!!!!!!!!!:
If you're just looking for a Chuck Mangione album to soothe your soul, and that does not apply your foward most listening attention, I would suggest you do not buy this cd. If you're looking for a masterpiece recording to really pay close attention to and enjoy, then you've found the right cd. The album starts off with the title track Children Of Sanchez. It has a five minute singing intro by Don Potter. Chuck used to love to do long intros. After the bizzare singing intro, the pulsing beat of James Bradley Jr. with the help of some timpanists, thunders in. With a loud forceful trumpet section setting Chuck in, he comes in with the melody. Grant Geissman helps him with some great acoustic rhythm guitar. After some solos by Chuch and Grant, Don Potter somes back in with the melody, singing. This time with the rhythm of Grant, Charles and James. The piece ends with a bang! This song is 15 minutes of pure masterpiece. The next two songs are short little fillers that were meant to fill up side one of the original record. The following songs, Pillgramige Part One and Two, are just so bizzare! If I heard that song in a dark room, alone, I would be so scared and freaked out. Luckily, that never happend. A few good tunes are scattered through the album, like another version of his classic, Bellevia. Hot Consuelo, a Mangione standard also appears here. With the lullabye, Lullabye, the cd comes to the finale. Children Of Sanchez, finale. This album went Platnum, but for the wrong reasons. Either that or it just didn't get an award for a very good reason. Instead of best film score, it should of gotten an award for just, Best putting together, originals, instrumentation, and so on. This album is truely a masterpiece. If you're a Chuck fan, and don't have this, I suggest that you get it! It may take a little while to get used to, but after that, you'll grow to love it!

Nothing short of amazing...:
This is my favorite Chuck Mangione album. I listened to it on vinyl for the first time when I was about 10 or 11 years old, (20 years ago). I cannot explain how deeply this music will effect you. The songs on this album absolutely reach out and soothe my soul. This CD is timeless. Do yourself a huge favor and get this CD.

Good, but not Mangione's best work:
I was a huge Chuck Mangione fan in the 1970s and saw him live during the "Feels So Good" tour in 1978, during which the band performed music from the upcoming Children of Sanchez album. I loved the live music and couldn't wait for the Sanchez album to be released. When it finally came out, I was a bit disappointed with it. Having come to expect only perfection from Mangione, this album is not in the same high class with his previous albums. There is too much musical repetition here and not enough original themes. Even the two best tunes ("Children of Sanchez Overture" and "Consuelo's Love Theme") share some of the same musical theme. Also, the tracks "Echino" and "Bellavia" are alternate verions of tunes on prior Mangione albums (Echino from "Chase The Clouds Away" and Bellavia from "Bellavia") and they are both inferior to their original album cuts. Frankly, the Sanchez album should have been reduced from a double album to a single album to eliminate all the repetition and retreads. If you really want to hear the 1970s Chuck Mangione at his best, don't bother with "Children of Sanchez" and go buy other albums like "Chase The Clouds Away", "Bellavia", "Main Squeeze", or "Feels So Good".

Feelings Through Music !!:
Children Of Sanchez is a magnificent musical blend of composition,sructure,creativity and improvisation.The music had to be written,recorded,mixed and edited in just three weeks to help complete a movie by the same title.Chuck and the musicians entered into a rigorous recording schedule.A total of 23 hours worth of music was completed.From this Chuck had to make the tough decision as to which selections he would keep on the album.His final choice of music gives us a remarkable album which can only be described as wonderful,unique,beautiful and vibrant.To write and compose music this good in only three weeks is truly Impressive!!Musicianship highlights are Grant Geismann playing all guitars,James Bradley Jr.on drums and all percussions that includes some awesome tympani,conga and tymbali playing,Charlie Meeks doing an incredible job on bass and my personal favorite is Don Potter on vocals.He has excellent range and power!! Chuck Mangione of course,needs no introduction.A truly gifted flugelhorn player who also shows us his piano skills with both the electric and acoustic. Song highlights are title cut Children Of Sanchez- very powerfull intro song.Let me repeat that VERY POWERFULL!!!! Other favorites include lullabye,pilgrimage parts 1/2 {explosive percussions on this one},the sensuous Consuelo's Love Theme and Hot Consuelo with its dynamic up beat tempo. Lots of musical feelings at play here. For all you string instrument lovers. Check It Out! French Horn,cello and violins. Something for every jazz enthusiast. "Remember" The Children Of Sanchez. BUY IT!! ENJOY IT!! It's a Classic!

Absolute classic!:
I'm a 15 year old High School student, and I play trombone for our school's jazz band. My instructor chose to play "Children of Sanchez" by Chuck Mangione for an upcoming band concert. I didn't have any jazz CD's in my collection at this time, and I loved the song but thought, "Who is Chuck Mangione?" So I kept looking until I found this album and I bought it. Much to my surprise, it was one of the most beautiful records I had ever heard. All of the songs are just amazing, bursting with talent. Being a trombone player, I have an appreciation with low brass, and the low brass section along with the percussion on the Children of Sanchez Overture drives the whole song and is a fabulous addition to the song. Many people complain that every song sounds the same because it revolves around the Overture, but it is a very rewarding and beautiful experience to listen to the whole album all the way through. It's like one grand, epic, operatic song. THis is by far the best Chuck Mangione album in my opinion and I couldn't reccomend it enough! Also reccomended: Weather Report- "Heavy Weather"

• Children of Sanchez (Overture)
• Lullabye
• Fanfare
• Pilgrimage, Pt. 1
• Pilgrimage, Pt. 2
• Consuelo's Love Theme
• Hot Consuelo
• Death Scene
• Market Place
• Echano
• Bellavia
• Lullabye
• Medley
• B'bye
• Children of Sanchez (Finale)