With only a few exceptions ("Lolita Ya-Ya" and "The Theme From Route 66"),
Nelson Riddle's compositional talent took second place to his powers of arranging the standards of others. His score for the 1963
Audrey Hepburn-William Holden vehicle Paris When It Sizzles is an example of such, including 13 new pieces composed and conducted by
Riddle. The conducting goes much better than the composing, as
Riddle apparently chose to set a mood rather than provide memorable titles. As original score or background music, it functions well, alternating easy listening string pieces ("Brandy Glow," "Touch of Tenderness") with interesting genre exercises such as "Bastille Cha Cha Cha," "Gaby Blues," and "Tango de Paris." ~ John Bush