This bargain-priced triple-CD set shows off most of composer/arranger/producer
Tony Hatch's strengths -- which include a lot of great records cut with
the Searchers,
Petula Clark,
Jackie Trent, et al. -- and some of his weaknesses as well. The first disc, "The
Tony Hatch Orchestra and Sound," is neither better nor worse than any of those better-known instrumental records conducted and arranged by
George Martin, though "TV Themes" has its inventive moments. The best part of this set is "The Songs of
Tony Hatch," which has to work hard to avoid being a
Petula Clark best-of and does succeed at that, with good sides by
Mark Wynter,
the Montanas, et al. for diversity. Both it and the soundtrack volume are a lot of fun, and this is an interesting assembly of performing talent.
–
Bruce Eder, Rovi