I might write more later, but for now, just a quick thought about “Nothing to Lose,” written for The Party, the 1968 movie directed by Blake Edwards and starring Peter Sellars.
Not too long ago I posted at length about 1960’s jazz greats writing compositions in the fresh style of Bossa Nova.
“Nothing to Lose” is a Mancini Bossa Nova.
“Nothing to Lose” has never broken through to the culture at large like “Moon River,” and I’ve yet to hear a jazz musician (other than myself) include it on a set list. However there are really lovely things about this song, including 10-bar phrases for the A sections and somewhat unconventional lyrics by Don Black.
Undoubtedly part of the charm is the setting in the movie. A cute singer with a guitar and thick accent is somehow serenading a man who is dying to find the bathroom.
I’ll leave further unpacking of The Party for another time...
…The point I want to make today is simply one of professionalism. Blake Edwards told the composer, “I need a Bossa Nova for the party, like maybe the romantic interest can play the guitar,” and Henry Mancini said, “No problem.”
Mancini wrote not just a Bossa Nova but a great Bossa Nova. Due respect. An American master. #ManciniAt100
Gotta love the sitar treatment on the soundtrack. And really kinda surprised the maestro wasn't sued for the Day Tripper riff used throughout. Oh, and Julie Andrews' solo vocal on the Nothing to Lose bonus track.
I can definitely get behind the Mancini focus in the realm of 60s film composers (I did try to give Bacharach another chance but really couldn't get into it at all). But Mancini - genius. So many classics, one of our faves is "Meglio Stasera" from one of the early Panther movies. And the video clip of it from the movie is great.