Alright, let’s dive into this gem of an album—Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by the John Blackinsell Orchestra. Released way back in 1972 in Italy (yeah, random, right?), it’s one of those classical records that just sneaks up on you when you least expect it. The label? Joker. No joke, though, this thing is legit.
First off, if you’re into old-school vibes with lush orchestration, this one might hit different for you. It’s not trying too hard to be edgy or modern—it’s straight-up classy. And honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what you need. Two tracks really stuck out to me while spinning this record: “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and “Mack The Knife.” Let me break ‘em down real quick.
“Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”—the title track—is like that friend who shows up late but steals the whole party. I mean, yeah, we’ve all heard covers of this song before, but there’s something about how Blackinsell handles it. The strings are smooth as butter, and the brass has this warm, kinda nostalgic punch to it. You can almost picture some smoky Italian jazz club in the ‘70s where everyone’s dressed to the nines. It’s got that timeless feel without being boring, which is harder than it sounds.
Then there’s “Mack The Knife.” Oh man, this one slaps. Like, seriously, I wasn’t expecting such a sharp swing from a classical-leaning album. There’s this swagger in the arrangement that feels almost mischievous—you know, like Mack himself. The horns pop outta nowhere, and suddenly you’re bobbing your head like crazy. It’s fun, unpredictable, and makes you wanna grab a martini and pretend you’re cooler than you actually are.
Other tracks like “The Way You Look Tonight” and “All The Things You Are” keep the vibe going strong, but they don’t quite stick in my brain the same way. Still solid, though. Overall, the album’s got this chill yet sophisticated energy that works whether you’re hosting a fancy dinner or just vibing alone in your room.
Here’s the kicker: listening to this made me realize how underrated instrumental albums can be. We get so caught up in lyrics and vocals these days that we forget how much emotion instruments alone can carry. Plus, knowing this came out in 1972 in Italy of all places makes me wonder what other hidden treasures are floating around out there. Like, why isn’t Joker Records a bigger deal? Food for thought.
Anyway, give Smoke Gets In Your Eyes a spin if you’re looking for something classy but still full of life. Just don’t blame me if you start daydreaming about vintage tuxedos and black-and-white movies.
