Henry Mancini is back on top.
The legendary hit composer of movie soundtracks, TV themes, and hit records has the numbers 1 and 2 albums on iTunes today.
Mancini died in 1994 at 70. There’s a 100th birthday celebration going on with an album of seven of his compositions reworked with the likes of Lizzo on flute, and Michael Buble singing.
The album is called “The Henry Mancini 100th Sessions” and it’s number on iTunes.
CBS Sunday Morning ran a piece on all this last fall. But they re-ran this morning and now Mancini is riding high.
His most memorable music? Theme from the Pink Panther movies, theme to the “Peter Gunn” Tv series, the song “Moon River,” and dozens more including “Dear Heart” and soundtracks to movies like “Love Story” and “Days of Wine and Roses.” He was a particular favorite of director Blake Edwards, and singer Andy Williams.
The new tribute album includes not just Michael Buble covering “Moon River,” but a reworked version with the movie’s star, Audrey Hepburn, on vocals. Lizzo — playing the flute — appears on “The Pink Panther” theme with James Galway, and “Peter Gunn” features Quincy Jones, John Williams, Arturo Sandoval and Herbie Hancock.
The new versions are revved up but retain all their original integrity. Then you have the Greatest Hits at number 3, as fans want to hear where it all started.
