Legend has it that my Slovak grandmother hated this snotty insufferable Italian boy when growing up in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Well, turns out that was Henry Mancini, best known for famous soundtracks like the Pink Panther, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and of course the tv show Peter Gunn. This soundtrack won the inaugural album of the year grammy in 1959. I’m not sure if my grandma knew this or not.
As for the actual album itself, the opening track “Peter Gunn” is so familiar that I must have heard it before, although I don’t know how or when because I have certainly never seen the 1950’s tv crime show. As you listen through the album and associate the titles with each track, you can almost envision the show. As with any good soundtrack, each song is distinct and yet flows so well throughout the album. I also have a soft spot for brass instruments which is the basis of these tracks. Of course, learning that this was the first ever grammy for album of the year, I wonder just how influential it must be on other soundtracks. I feel like can hear just how Henry Mancini influenced film and tv scoring with this specific soundtrack (although that might just be wishful thinking).
The Music From Peter Gunn is a good, jazz-infused instrumental listen and definitely something I’ve turned on in the background for fun. I think this album kind of exemplifies why I love listening to 50’s and 60’s music — It is just so easy to see just how it influenced other artists and creatives.
