The Rare Monro

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:42 am

Good to know that this treasue "The Rare Monro," is being aired and heard.
We listened in to Eric Hall as usual and he talked about "The Rare Monro" and played one of our favourites "Till" we have so many recordings of this song, but this is the best.
Then he also played Matt's recording of Jeanne, this is just beautiful.
Eric had a Rat Pack theme two weeks ago with your requests for the famous Three and we were late sending it in for that day, but nice surprise he played it for us today. Frank Sinatra singing "We'll Gather Lilacs." Fantastic So as always a great programme

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:13 pm

I said you two were a celebrity couple

I did not know FS had recorded "We'll Gather Lilacs" I bet it is a very good rendition. I bought a version of that song in the early 1980's by Simon May, which I liked very much

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:47 pm

Lena & Harry - do you recall at what point Eric Hall played Till and Jean? I find it a bit tough to listen to Eric's manner of speaking (with too much talk and not enough music), so I would like to advance until Matt Monro is played. Since I won't have The Rare Monro until November, I would like to hear a preview.

My favourite version of Till has always been by Les Baxter's Orchestra and Chorus. Have you heard this?

thomas · Post by **thomas** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:54 pm

This isn't the Eric Hall who's also been a football agent is it? If it is, I know what you mean Paul!

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:54 pm

Hi Paul, it is difficult to find a part of Eric's Three hour show but it was towards the latter part of the show when he played Matt's Two songs. And yes we certainly have heard of Les Baxter, must look his music out. He was with Capital records as far as we remember in the Fifties.
Thomas yes Eric Hall was a football agent, and has worked in the promotion of big names in the music business, Queen, Elton John, Paul MCcartney.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:31 am

Thanks Lena and Harry -- I'll keep advancing Eric Hall every 5 minutes and eventually I'll hear Matt Monro.

Les Baxter's version was the first recording I ever heard of Till. Tom Jones also sings it well, but I'd rather hear Matt Monro. I'm not sure if Les Baxter's Till is still available. If I can figure out how to do it, I will make a copy for you and bring it to Fans Reunited. Les Baxter's biggest hit was The Poor People Of Paris; it topped the US charts for many weeks in the mid-1950s. I also like his version of Unchained Melody, The Medic Theme, and The High And The Mighty. He arranged Too Young by Nat King Cole. And he wrote Quiet Village---made popular by Martin Denny. I don't know if Martin Denny's Hawaiian/tiki sounds ever became popular in the UK. But tiki bars (e.g., Trader Vic's) were the rage in the late 1950s and early 1960s in the US.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:20 am

Thanks very much Paul. Till is such a beautiful song and has been recorded by so many. Looking up Les Baxter's career has jogged our memories of his association with the best singers Torme, Sinatra, Nat King Cole.
Sadly he passed away just a few years ago.

DutchDean · Post by **DutchDean** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:42 am

I too am enjoying the new Matt 2CD 'The Rare Monro' - can anyone provide the origins of these tracks - many are not listed on the single discography and or on the LP list? I know many are previously unreleased but I would love to know where they fit into Matt's back catalogue.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:43 am

I actually listened to most of Eric Hall's programme and didn't use the advance button. Matt Monro's Till was just lovely. That is one of the hardest songs to sing and he phrases it perfectly. Can't wait to get the CD in November.

I also enjoyed the songs by Dorothy Squires. I don't believe I've heard of her. So I will have to purchase a CD soon. It's always nice to hear the pure voice of Joni James. The listeners' singing was enjoyable---many were quite good. And the old-time piano medley was fun!

Eric and his listeners really know their music! I hadn't thought of Ronnie Dove in years and he was mentioned in the programme. And it was great to hear the Mills Brothers; I agree with Eric ... they were the best vocal group.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:23 pm

Dorothy Squires was married to former James Bond and Saint "Roger Moore"

john · Post by **john** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:28 pm

yes, i believe dorothy squires had a top twenty with TILL, really like her, especially her live cd,s, notably at the london palladium

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:20 pm

Yes we have most of Dorothy Squires music including her album at The London Palladium. A Great performer.
She was a big star, married to band leader and composer Billy Reid. He wrote the song "I Still believe" made popular by Al Martino and Ronnie Hilton in the early Fifties and this song was the soundtrack played in the film "Dance With A Stranger" the film about Ruth Ellis the last woman to be hanged in England.
He also wrote others including "I'm Walking behind You" "A Tree In The Meadow" and "The Gypsy".
We have had e-mails from Billy Reids son, and interesting and quite funny they are too.
When Dorothy Squires married Roger Moore who incidently was a male model at that time it was Dot ( as she was known) who took him to America where his career took off and when the marriage finally fell apart, all her songs seem to reflect the devastation that it brought to her.
She finally lived with a friend who took care of her until she passed away.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 12:10 am

My neighbours favourite song is "Say It With Flowers" by Dorothy Squires

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:38 am

Robert, yes "Say it With Flowers" is alway one of Dorothy Squires most requested songs.
Other songs famously associated with Dot were "This Is My Mothers Day," "Why Did I Choose You " and when she sang to an audience in Wales where she was brought up, she would sing songs like "The Song Of The Valley", "We'll Keep A Welcome," and "Back In Your Own Backyard" She could have an audience eating out of her hands.
She was brought up in Llanelli in Wales and they just adored her.
But Dot also had a reputation of being able to hold her own in any situation,

and this was reported in the press on more than one occasion.
But she was a great performer.

john · Post by **john** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:34 pm

yes, i have a video of her on the russell harty show somewhere, and she could be quite abrupt sometimes, but i really like her, she also recorded a slower version of FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE, a similar tempo to matt's version

Matt Monro Forum

The Rare Monro

Any info on the origins of these tracks?