ode to lujon

Agreed! I was introduced to Lujon while I worked at WFTL radio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In the mid ‘70’s Mr Mancini came out with a different version of the song and called it “The Slow Hot Wind” (Lujon). One of our engineers had a copy of this version on the Best of Mancini. We talked about it and I played it on the air. That’s one of the things I liked about being on the radio, sharing great music!

I bought “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” so my 17 year old daughter could see it. She loved the movie and I was very aware of the Mancini score which was actually like an additional character in the film.

In this day and age of disposable music I hope Mancini’s masterpieces of sound will always be remembered.

Mike

I love that piece of music - its like it has some kind of a cosmic relevance to everything - life, time, space… . Those strings are fabulous. Goosebumps guaranteed. I put it on repeat in my iTunes and listen to it for a half hour over and over. Puts me in a different world. Mancini was a genius. Thanks Henry :-) Stano

In my opinion, this piece of music is what Mancini was all about … he takes a person to a far away place with such a simple but amazingly wonderful tune. The blend of the instruments is near perfect and so soothing. Like you say Stano, goodsebumps are definitely guaranteed! I have looked for this for a long time and thanks to you, I finally know where I can get my own copy of this incredible tune.

I would have to agree. The very first time I heard it, it was being killed by a DJ called ‘Dimitri from paris’ and the track was titled ‘Souvenir de paris’. Despite the heavy drums and harsh french marketplace cackle in the background I still fell in love with Lujon. I have also heard the unedited Lujon in several films (Sexy Beast, Big Lobowski, to name but two) and it is used regularly in holiday commercials on UK television.

Mancini is, in my opinion, one of the most under-celebrated musical artists ever, and deserves far far more recognition than he receives.

This is an Amazing song! I quite often fall in love with a song, for a while, but it eventually passes. I’ve listened to this two and a half minute clip at least 50 times and it still transports me to, well, the most beautiful, thrilling place I can imagine. It’s like I’m in a classic ’50s foreign film having an epic love affair. I never want it to end. And oh, the strings… So sensual, almost painfully beautiful. I first heard ‘Lujon’ while watching the fantastic “Sexy Beast”. The way it’s used in the film is genius!; the grill flame-up, the close friends joking around, and the chemistry between Gal and Deedee (loved the smoke ring) culminating in a floating love scene, the likes of which have never been seen before. This is not just any song. Thanks H.M.!

I love this song from the first moment I heard it. There is nothing like it. In the sound of that strings… all the prestige in the world!

Spot on in your assessment of the piece.

Like Dave I also first heard this piece while watching ‘Sexy Beast’. It has an incredible hypnotic quality to it that just makes you float on air. It is currently on constant replay. It is also great to listed to when reading; the words just seem to flow when listening to this piece.

how do I download this song to my Windows player?? I absolutely love this tune and can’t hear it enough!! It puts me into another world!!

When i heard the song in SEXY BEAST. I too was amazed. Great scene and genius editing. It set the tone of the core of the film being the bond with Gal and Deedee. After the film i became a big fan of Mancini and watch alot of British films.

Very nice!

While I was in Paris, they played a version of it on a boat cruise I was on. It was amazing to float down the Seine in the rain with that music playing. One of the most memorable moments of the trip.

When I found out it was in Sexy Beast, I had to go back and re-watch it. As said above, wonderful scene. Totally captures the feeling.

Indeed one of the perfect songs ever created. I also like other versions like: Hooverphonic “No more sweet music” and Black mighty orchestra “Ocean beach”.

Recently, it was used to great effect on James Grey’s Two Lovers where Joaquin Phoenix takes a trip to uptown NY to meet Gwyneth Paltrow.

Emmers, I too just discovered this Mancini song while watching Two Lovers. I have a huge collection of Henry Mancini’s music and thought I had just about all of it. I searched just about all the movie song list before I said to myself, this can’t be Mancini, because the strings are too elegant; was I surprised. Should have known when the trombone was heard. This one is a life changer and there aren’t many left for this old 67 year old.

I just came across this thread and would like to add a bit of history. Henry Mancini’s drummer, Shelley Manne had several drums I made and one of them was the Lujon (a pun on “John Lewis” who bought the first one). Mancini was very impressed with the instrument and wrote this piece using its scale as the theme.

It’s rewarding to find its sound being so widely appreciated after 50 years!

Love.

Kudos to you William!  How incredible.  Perhaps this piece should have been called ‘Willow’ in your honour…!

Thank you for sharing.