Cliff Richard Pays Tribute to Matt Monro in Manila Concert

[RalphDennis]

Dear All,

Here's a few paragraphs of a write-up about Cliff Richard's concert in Manila remembering our idol, Matt Monro. Read on:

Cliff to unveil surprise in show
By Joaquin Henson
The Philippine Star 02/10/2007

Sir Cliff Richard is springing a surprise for his Filipino fans in a pre-Valentine’s Day concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 13.

Aside from his greatest hits and new songs from his latest album Two’s Company, Sir Cliff will sing a tribute to the late Matt Monro who was a popular British balladeer and a frequent Manila visitor until his death in 1985.

Sir Cliff isn’t revealing the song he will sing in Monro’s memory but it will probably be Softly As I Leave You. Another candidate is Let There Be Love, an overdubbed Sir Cliff-Monro duet featured in the pop icon’s latest album Two’s Company.

"I will do a song that’s not jazz exactly but it’s more like a Sinatra song and I will do it with one of my singers," said Sir Cliff, quoted by Pia Barchet. "We had a very famous singer in Britain named Matt Monro. Sinatra called Monro the best singer in the world. We are paying tribute to him. It’s not jazz but an older form of music. I want to do everything that I can on stage that’s exciting, different and interesting."

On his sixth decade as a performing artist, Sir Cliff has been an enduring figure in show business because he is so unpredictable on stage. Of course, his repertoire is a treasure chest of classics, hitmakers and all-time favorites that are familiar tunes with Baby Boomers and New Generation rockers alike.

Sir Cliff said his rapport with the audience is the secret to his longevity as a live performer.

Full story at: http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200702101705.htm