The GEORGES PEPPARD/AUDREY HEPBURN movie, ‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s’ is rightly regarded as an icon of 60’s cinema. Based on a story by TRUMAN CAPOTE, the movie’s main title theme – ‘Moon River’ went on to bag an Oscar for its composer, Henry Mancini. El Records (in association with Cherry Red) have just reissued the soundtrack – but have added all kinds of bonuses for discerning collectors. They include the wonderfully soulful JERRY BUTLER version that scaled the US chart and the more middle of the road DANNY WILLIAMS take that won the chart race in the UK.
You also get versions of the song from both ART BLAKEY and the JAZZ MESSENGERS and AL CAIOLA along with interpretations of more soundtrack items from EDDIE HARRIS and BARNEY KESSEL.
AUDREY HEPBURN’S charmingly naive version of ‘Moon River’ is there too – of course. Revealingly, the succinct sleeve notes explain how the song came into being and why MANCINI considered Ms. HEPBURN’S reading of it as the definitive one.
HENRY MANCINI… MOON RIVER AND ME is out now on El Records.
