Search - Johnny Mathis :: Johnny Mathis: A 50th Anniversary Celebration

Exquisite--as far as it goes, that is (three and one-half s

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/30/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gold: A 50th Anniversary Celebration is a somewhat disappointing single CD retrospective that just can't possibly reflect all the golden hits of Johnny Mathis' illustrious career. The sound quality, however, is very good; and the artwork is nicely done.



The track set starts with Johnny Mathis performing "Chances Are." This awesome hit for Johnny brings out all the wonderful qualities of his voice. Johnny croons this number just as well as the best of them ever could! The musical arrangement uses the strings to great advantage and I love every minute of it! "Wonderful! Wonderful!" follows and if you're not hooked on Johnny Mathis by now you may wish to check your pulse! Johnny sings this to perfection and beyond; he never misses a beat and I'm very impressed with "Wonderful! Wonderful!"



"It's Not For Me To Say" was definitely another huge hit for Johnny; this beautiful melody sounds very sweet and Johnny Mathis delivers this with great panache. The piano arrangement is very elegant and the overall effect is gorgeous. "Misty" is another excellent classic pop hit that features Johnny front and center. Johnny's excellent diction and timing turns "Misty" into a true masterpiece. Listen also for "A Certain Smile;" this love song never sounded better than when Johnny sang it and it's great he's still here today to perform it in concert all over again!



"What'll I Do" gets the royal treatment for this masterful talent named Johnny Mathis; he delivers this beautifully with sophistication, heart and soul. The backup chorus enhances the beauty of the number. There's also "In A Sentimental Mood;" Johnny massages the lyrics to make this tune remarkably beautiful and it all works very well.



"The Shadow Of Your Smile" has a stunning arrangement and the horn solo works well for this romantic number. The album also ends nicely with Johnny and Ray Charles performing Judy Garland's signature song entitled "Over The Rainbow." Johnny Mathis and Ray Charles sing "Over The Rainbow" with great sensitivity; and this makes a wonderful ending for this CD.



Now I have no gripes or complaints about these heavenly numbers. Johnny's voice is in excellent form throughout the CD and the music is grand. However, I must complain that any set of eighteen tracks is just not enough for the producers of the CD to call this a golden type of "50th anniversary celebration." That would take a CD box set.



Fans of Johnny Mathis will be charmed by this although they also have these numbers already in their collections. Casual fans and newcomers to Johnny Mathis will benefit more from this single CD retrospective. Diehard fans will appreciate the four CD boxed set called The Music of Johnny Mathis - A Personal Collection. This box set is also available for sale on this website.

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