WORST RECORDING BY MATT

[ROBERT M.]

Hi to the Guest from Maryland. Lets put a line under "Spanish Eyes" now, as we did "Maria". But I completely agree with you regarding "Fly me to the Moon". Matts version of the song, which is slightly different to Mr Sinatras and other versions of the song, is so melodic and so smooth. It is absolutely SUBLIME. So you can call our diagreements over the three songs - "third time lucky".

My tears will fall now that your gone

[Terence Lee]

I have finally found a song sung by Matt that I am not fond of. It is Memory from Cats. Matt sings it with many changes in the key much like Barry Manilow. I prefer the original version as sung by Barbra Streisand in which the singer has to go to glorious lows for "burnt-out ends of smoky days, the pale cold smell of the morning". Matt's orchestral accompaniment is too pop for this song, too middle of the road. I am now ready to hear from those fans who like Matt's treatment of this song. We can agree to disagree. Of course, Matt's crisp diction is still a joy to behold for this song.

[paul jh]

Robert M -- Okay, this will be the last I'll write about Spanish Eyes. I listened to it again two times driving to work this morning. I like it better each time. What a wonderful vocal! Next on the agenda is Hava Nagila. But I need to do some more analysis of the song, and will write more later. I am convinced that you will appreciate the song after you read my analysis.

Terrence Lee -- I need to listen again to Memory. I've only listened to it a couple times, because I mostly listen to the 1960s recordings. But my first reaction was the beautiful understated elegance that Matt brings to the song.

[John Jenkinson]

Guess I've got to agree with you on this one Terence, but then again, I don't much rate the song anyway. I suppose it is very much of it's time. Matt always recorded songs of there time, Yesterday was even released before the Beatles could get it out as a single! Just goes to show that even with all that Matt could give a song, even he couldn't make it sound alright!
Just to follow on, I got hold of ''Mama packed a picnic tea'' a while ago and have listened to it many times now. Still can't make my mind up. I certainly don't think it's one of his worst, but what does everyone else think? It certainly wedges itself in your brain, I haven't been able to stop singing it for weeks!
Thanks,
John.

[ROBERT M.]

Hello Terence and John and everyone. Its good to see our friend from Maryland in the States has a name, so welcome Paul.
I have to say that the two songs mentioned by both Terence and John - "Memory" and "Mama Packed A Picnic Tea" would have to be classed in my opinion as second division material. Matt only has two divisions, FIRST and SECOND, but these two songs would be in my second division. We all know which songs automatically go into division one, but these two songs would not. Even though they are good songs, and Matt sings them very well, Matts backing musicians were not quite as good in the 70's, as the brilliant orchestral renditions by Johnnie Spence etc.. were in the 1960's. I don't know who the musical accompaniments were on these recordings, but it would have been hard to better the fantastic orchestral arrangements from the 60's.
What opinions does anybody else have on this issue. ?? Please let us know.

My tears will fall now that your gone

[Terence Lee]

Robert....you are so right. For MEMORY, it is the band or orchestra backing Matt that I don't warm up to. The arrangement is also bad. The whole song was sung too fast. Only Matt's crisp diction and faultless pitch remain a thing of beauty and a joy forever.

[John Jenkinson]

Hi all, I don't know if this is what its all about, talking about the worse songs that Matt recorded, but never mind, here we go again!
Is it just me, or is the backing on 'the sweetest sounds'(Disc4, Track8,The singer's singer)slightly out of sync.? It starts of O.K. for the first few bars, then it all seems be about half a beat out. Perhaps this is the reason it was never released? Good song though. It's followed on the C.D. by Memory. Do I win a prize for spotting the deliberate mistake?.....................Thought not.
See you soon,
John.

[paul jh]

The backing on Sweetest Sounds is fine and not out of sync with the vocal line. I think the annoying staccato trombone part may be bothering you. The arrangement is a bit strange, but Matt Monro's vocals are high quality as usual.

[paul jh]

Well, all of you at Fans Reunited knew I had to bring back this thread of postings!

I was the "guest" on April 22, who stated that Maria was not one of Matt Monro's best recordings.

At Fans Reunited, Michele gave the perfect buildup to the playing of the video of Maria, by mentioning the debate that we've had on the forum.

During the opening verse of the Maria video, I sat there thinking, "this verse is so uninteresting with its repeated notes". Then came the chorus with the tritone interval on Mar-i-a which bothers me so much.

But then something happened. I think it occurred during "say it soft and it's almost like praying". I forgot about the technicalities of the song. I had chills and goosebumps for the remainder of the song. So did everyone else in the room. What an unbelievably wonderful performance! I'm not sure I've ever seen a better performance of a song.

Thank you Michele for playing it for us. It certainly changed my opinion of your Dad's performance and recording of this song.

[Administrator]

Paul, Still waiitng for you to come back with your opinion of Hava Naguila, wouldn't want to miss it.