Matt Monro Forum

I always believe in being honest about music and not simply say I like it because a favourite artist is singing it.

It's a well known fact that Dusty was my pin up girl and through her music I made many friends all over the world, however much as I like Dusty there are some songs that I just do not like her singing, there are some I never liked until I heard Dusty sing them as her interpretation was different and there are some songs I prefer other artists versions.

Having said that I have just played Matt's The Collection 2 cd set and I have to say the opening track Spanish Eyes is enough to put anyone off, to think two of my all time Matt favourites are on the same disc, Walk Away & Born Free which both feature immaculate arrangements but Spanish Eyes is something else, I have to say it's the worst song I have ever heard Matt sing and I never thought I'd say that. It's really not Matt's fault it's the dreadful arrangement, it's a total nightmare!!!!

Some years ago I was delighted to see Vince Hill had recorded Sailing a huge hit for Rod Stewart, although I like his hits I would not say Rod is a great singer, however Vince's version was so disappointing, that song really does belong to Rod - sometimes you don't have to be a great vocalist to put a song over well!

Hi Karl-we had a thread going at one time, of the songs that we did not like sung by Matt---there were some interesting replies.

I cannot think of anyone, who I can truthfully say that I love everything they have ever done.

Karl, we had a discussion regarding this song a while ago. Some people love the song but other's don't it boils down to the arrangement which seems out of sync with Matt's voice, but Richard told us the arrangemant and Matts vocals were spot on. But as you say Karl, Spanish Eyes, in my eyes is not one of Matts best recordings. It does seem to be out of tune especially towards the end of the song (unintentionally)

This was mentioned in the book wasn't it? I just couldn't remember what title they had mentioned as Matt recorded so many songs, actually I am amazed it was released. Give me Al Martino's version any day with no disrespect to Matt!"

Each to their own as I say - I happen to love the song and the arrangement. It was very cutting edge for its day but I absolutely love what Billy May did with it. I did go into quite an in-depth discussion in the book but then again I hate French Poodle!

Michele I just listened to Matt's version again, being so used to hearing Al Martino's version this is just SO different,

I can hear the Spanish flavour in the arrangement but I'm wondering if your dad recorded it live with the orchestra or over a recorded track. Either way I applaud Matt for getting through it as I think I would have started to laugh if I had been the singer, to me it really sounds like they're taking the proverbial!!!!

It was recorded live with the band - Matt's prefered way of recording. He only really started to overdub vocals in the 1970's when working with John Burgess - and even then never wore headphones and sang with the band coming from a speaker instead!

According to the AFM records I uncovered, Matt never overdubbed a vocal at a session in the USA - Some had overdubbs added later, but never vocals.

Richard

As Robert said, we discussed Spanish Eyes in depth a year or so again. I wrote about its brilliance then. I still love it. I only knew Al Martino's version for years, which I think is beautiful. It was so neat to hear a completely different arrangement, which I think is exciting and superb -- especially the ending. I think the vocals are perfect.

Marian: You're right, it's rare that a fan loves everything by a favourite singer. There are only a handful Matt Monro recordings I don't like (Leaving on a Jet Place, Answer Me My Love, Mama Packed a Picnic Tea), but that's a very minuscule percentage. With Robbie, I either love the song or hate it; there's no in-between. Dusty is similar; love some, but others leave me cold. The only artist where I like everything is Diana Ross and the Supremes. I can't think of any song I don't like. But then I haven't heard all the album material.