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Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Hang 'Em High - Hugo Montenegro

 

Theme For Three

Hang 'Em High
Hugo Montenegro
His Orchestra and Chorus
Musical Arrangements by Hugo Montenegro
Produced by Joe Reisman
Recored in RCA's Music Center Of The World, Hollywood, California 
Recording Engineer: Mickey Crofford
RCA Victor STEREO LSP-4022
1968

From the back cover: Back in the '50's "background" or "mood music" was the rage. Today, background music has moved to the foreground thanks to the popularity of talented arranger-conductor-composers like Hugo Montenegro. The Montenegro musical credits are most impressive: staff arranger for Andre Kostelanetz, conductor-arranger for Harry Belafonte, important film-scoring assignments ("Hurry Sundown") and extensive TV work ("I Dream Of Jeannie," "The Outcasts" and "Here Comes The Brides").

His first hit album for RCA was Music from "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." followed up by the enormously successful music from "The Good Bad And The Ugly." His new release, Hang Em' High, is an extension of the Montenegro "young sound" which turned music from "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" into a top seller. Indeed, Montenegro has developed a unique musical identity that makes his vibrant orchestrations instantly recognizable. This new collection is a stunning showcase of contemporary pops excitingly performed by the Montenegro orchestra and chorus along with the unique talents of Muzzy Marcellino and Jack Keller. For years Marcellino has whistled themes for motion pictures and records. His most notable job was "The High And The Mighty." This is "The Whistler's" second album with Montenegro. Hugo would like to give special thanks to Jack Keller for his assistance in developing My Love and Wish I Knew into songs. (They were originally composed as television cues.) The effect is bold, fresh and bracing. These are sounds for right now – for this very moment.

With selections like theme from "Valley Of The Dolls," "In The Heat Of The Night," theme from "The Fox" and the new hit "Hand 'Em High," this Montenegro album runs the gamut from romantic rock through raunchy blues, brassy mariachi and the bright, lyrical western orchestral settings that made the music from "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" such a smash. Here, then, is more of the Montenegro magic – imaginative, modern, entertaining and distinctive. – John Lissner

Hang "Em High
Theme from "The Fox"
Theme from "Valley Of The Dolls"
Wish I Knew
Theme For Three
Bandolero!
In The Heat Of The Night
Tomorrow's Love
For Love Of Ivy
My Love
Bitter Love
Keystone Kop

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