A superb collection by a masterful singer
Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 09/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Matt Monro was England's gift to the world of pop singing, and is one of my very favorite singers. His smooth, slightly smoky sound, his amazing breath control, perfect enunciation, and classic interpretations with no vocal gimmicks, make him a master of the ballad, and an incomparable singer of love songs.
This 3 Disc collection spans the years 1960-1980, with every number a gem, except for "And You Smiled" on Disc # 2 from 1973, which is the only song of the 44 presented that sounds a little dated.
Some of the best songs throughout the years have been written for film, and Matt sings many of the best, like "From Russia with Love" which he sang in the 1963 James Bond film, the gorgeous "Speak Softly Love", from Nino Rota's score for "Godfather I", and one I adore, Michel Legrand's "I Will Wait for You", from "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg".
The big band arrangement of Irving Berlin's "Let's Face the Music and Dance" is fabulous, and will make you want to put on your Fred and Ginger shoes, and his phrasing in "Autumn Leaves" is simply astounding.
There are also many songs from Broadway shows, like "Somewhere" from "West Side Story", "Hello Young Lovers" from "King and I" and "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" from "My Fair Lady".
Other highlights for me are Jimmy Webb's "Didn't We", and a song that is not sung enough by contemporary singers, "Love is a Many Splendored Thing"; a real treat, sung in heavily accented Spanish, is a marvelous rendition of Jaques Brel's "If You Go Away" ("No Me Dejes"). Matt was very popular in South America, and listening to this track, one can understand why.
Matt had a hard early life, growing up in the East End of London, and even did a stint as a truck driver, until George Martin (who produced The Beatles) heard him and was instrumental in putting him on the road to fame, with songs like "Portrait of My Love" which was a Top 10 hit in the U.K. in 1960.
Matt's health was compromised by his drinking habit, and unfortunately he passed on of liver cancer in 1985 at the age of 54; fortunately his recordings live on, to be heard for all time by those who appreciate the finest in singing.
The fold out inserts only have a song list, and no acknowledgements are made for the arrangements, but I would assume most of them were done by Johnnie Spence; the sound is good and total playing time is: Disc # 1, 51'52. Disc # 2, 51'41, and Disc # 3, 59'37.
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When Matt Monro Sings, you feel, not only hear his words:
Phyllis Dugas Kaye | Michigan | 03/19/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"His voice is among the best of the best, in fact, MATT MONRO IS UNRIVALED. If you are or have been in love, wish to be in love, or loved and lost, there is something meaningful for you in this collection of 54 songs. Matt's voice evokes emotion and is meant to be felt as well as heard, it is warm, passionate and slightly haunting, and he seems to be singing, "to you alone." He sings from his heart, his delivery is distinctive, voice lush, the warmth of his emotive voice touches my heart and it's sure to touch yours too.
Phyllis Dugas-Kaye
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