Around The World In 80 Days by Hugo Devries And His Orchestra – A Retro Gem That Still Hits Different
Alright, let’s talk about this quirky little soundtrack from way back in 1956. Around The World In 80 Days by Hugo Devries And His Orchestra isn’t your typical album—it’s got that old-school charm mixed with a vibe that screams “movie night at grandma’s house.” Released under Paris and Plymouth labels, it’s a trip through genres like Stage & Screen and Soundtrack, but don’t expect anything too polished or modern here. This is pure mid-century magic.
The tracklist? Oh man, it’s all over the place in the best possible way. You’ve got tunes like “Santa Lucia” (yep, twice), “Moulin Rouge,” and some wild ones like “Entrance Of The Bull March.” But two tracks really stuck with me: “Song Of India” and “Around The World In 80 Days.” Let me break ‘em down for ya.
First up, “Song Of India.” It’s one of those pieces where you can almost picture yourself walking through an exotic bazaar—like, imagine dusty streets, colorful fabrics hanging everywhere, and someone trying to sell you spices you didn’t even know existed. The strings are lush but not overwhelming, and there’s this sneaky little flute melody weaving in and out. Honestly, I couldn’t get it out of my head after listening. Like, why does something so simple feel so transportive? Beats me.
Then there’s the title track, “Around The World In 80 Days.” This one feels like the musical equivalent of hopping on a steam train—you know, the kind with big puffs of smoke and clanking wheels. It’s adventurous without being chaotic, and there’s just enough brass to make it feel larger than life. Every time it plays, I half-expect Phileas Fogg himself to pop into the room offering me a ticket to join him on his journey. Spoiler alert: He never shows up, but hey, a guy can dream.
Other highlights include “Invitation To A Bullfight,” which has these dramatic swells that’ll have you pretending you’re in a stadium cheering on matadors (or maybe that’s just me?), and “Funiculi, Funicula,” because who doesn’t love a good Italian jam now and then? Even if they spell it weirdly twice.
So yeah, this album might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you’re into slick production or auto-tuned vocals. But what makes it special is how unapologetically of its time it feels. Listening to it is like flipping through a vintage photo album—grainy edges, faded colors, and all.
Here’s the kicker though: As much as this record celebrates global travel, I bet Hugo Devries never imagined people would still be spinning his work decades later while sitting at home scrolling Instagram. Life’s funny like that, huh?
