I think all of Matt Monro's recordings and songs that he sings are great and I enjoy all of them. But there is one song that he should never have sung--it is "Bound for Texas". It is the only song that I can say should never have been recorded by Matt, as he sings it in a mono tone with little feeling. Is there any other song Matt's fans think is pretty bad?
It is a testiment to Matt's talent that this is the only song I could find that is not worth listening to.
WORST RECORDING BY MATT
WORST RECORDING BY MATT
Henry H Puccinelli
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Administrator
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Bound For Texas
This track was made many many years ago specifically for the Chaplin film "The Pilgrim", he also sings it in the movie. It took me 11 years to get a copy, but finally I got it on the internet from Japan on a CD called The Chaplin Revue.
It is Decca/MCA Records - Code MVCM-22067.
There is a snippet to listen to on "Matt Jukebox" under the Mutil Media Heading
It is Decca/MCA Records - Code MVCM-22067.
There is a snippet to listen to on "Matt Jukebox" under the Mutil Media Heading
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Terence Lee
- Posts: 1095
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Not bad at all
Hey....it's not bad at all. Loved the low notes.
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Guest
To the above Guest, I know that is your opinion, but to be honest I dont think you know what your talking about. Maria is one of the classic songs from any musical, in fact it is a GREAT song and so emotional. So if you dont like the song you shouldnt have expressed an opinion at all, as no matter who sang the song you wouldnt have liked it anyway. I may be getting on my high horse, but I love the song, especially sung by Matt who gives it an added dimension, so powerful and so exciting and the way he reaches those final notes are astonishing. So for you to express an opinion like that when you dont even like the song is absolute TOSH. : 
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Guest
To: Robert M
From: Guest
You have a right to your opinion and so do I. Let me point that a few years ago, I crossed the Atlantic on the QE2 with the project of compiling my favorite 1000 single recordings of the 1900s. Then based on the placement of the songs on my chart, I determined the top artist. Of course, Matt Monro was the top artist. So I'm a huge fan---probably the biggest in the United States. Lisa Stansfield (another outstanding British singer) was my second favorite artist and no one else was close.
Every time I go to the U.K., I purchase a Matt Monro CD. Right now I'm listening to the twofer that includes The Late Late Show album which featured three of his greatest vocals, each arranged by Johnnie Spence: Time After Time, The Shadow Of Your Smile, and This Is All I Ask (which should be on every compilation album and should have been on the 4 CD box set, and definitely needs to be on The Ultimate II). Sorry Robert M, but Mr Monro's vocals on Maria just can't compare with the three songs I mentioned above and September Song on that album. I tried to listen to Maria over the week-end, and just couldn't make it through the song.
From: Guest
You have a right to your opinion and so do I. Let me point that a few years ago, I crossed the Atlantic on the QE2 with the project of compiling my favorite 1000 single recordings of the 1900s. Then based on the placement of the songs on my chart, I determined the top artist. Of course, Matt Monro was the top artist. So I'm a huge fan---probably the biggest in the United States. Lisa Stansfield (another outstanding British singer) was my second favorite artist and no one else was close.
Every time I go to the U.K., I purchase a Matt Monro CD. Right now I'm listening to the twofer that includes The Late Late Show album which featured three of his greatest vocals, each arranged by Johnnie Spence: Time After Time, The Shadow Of Your Smile, and This Is All I Ask (which should be on every compilation album and should have been on the 4 CD box set, and definitely needs to be on The Ultimate II). Sorry Robert M, but Mr Monro's vocals on Maria just can't compare with the three songs I mentioned above and September Song on that album. I tried to listen to Maria over the week-end, and just couldn't make it through the song.
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Guest
Robert M and mmonro:
I forgot to mention that I'm a professional pianist and accompanist. So I know music very well and feel strongly that Maria is a poorly written song and quite repetitive. But I accept that you do not agree with me.
People always ask me who influences my playing, because it's very lyrical and emotional. They always think I will mention a pianist, such as Elton John, Jackson Browne, Billy Joel, or Vladimir Horowitz. But I always tell them Matt Monro. Unfortunately, many of the young Americans don't know Matt Monro and his music. But his musicality and styling inspires me so much---in all types of music (classical, rock/pop, jazz, standards). I especially think of his beautiful phrasing when I play Fly Me To The Moon (another of Mr Monro's most lovely vocals and also a must for The Ultimate II).
I forgot to mention that I'm a professional pianist and accompanist. So I know music very well and feel strongly that Maria is a poorly written song and quite repetitive. But I accept that you do not agree with me.
People always ask me who influences my playing, because it's very lyrical and emotional. They always think I will mention a pianist, such as Elton John, Jackson Browne, Billy Joel, or Vladimir Horowitz. But I always tell them Matt Monro. Unfortunately, many of the young Americans don't know Matt Monro and his music. But his musicality and styling inspires me so much---in all types of music (classical, rock/pop, jazz, standards). I especially think of his beautiful phrasing when I play Fly Me To The Moon (another of Mr Monro's most lovely vocals and also a must for The Ultimate II).
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Guest
To Robert M
Robert, i am also a male Matt Monro fan from Yorksire and I adore your enthusiasm for Matt. I personally agree that Maria is an amaing Matt song and one of the greatest he's added his voice to.
Hello to the Guest from gods own county. Thank you for you comments. I'm very glad to know that you are another Matt Monro fan, the more the merrier. Also that you agree with me about "Maria". I listed the song in my top five Matt songs a few weeks ago, Matt to me sounds incredible on the song, showing his great singing strength, as some songs need a bit more vitality given to them. But it also shows off his phrasing and his absolutely wonderful voice. (Like no other singer can). I think that the "other" guest just doesnt like the song Maria, full stop.
Isnt it great when listening to Matt, that you sometimes feel all goosy and sweaty, especially when he sings one of your very favourite songs. Thanks again for your kind words.
My tears will fall now that your gone
Isnt it great when listening to Matt, that you sometimes feel all goosy and sweaty, especially when he sings one of your very favourite songs. Thanks again for your kind words.
My tears will fall now that your gone
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Guest
To: Robert M
From: Guest in Maryland, USA
Thank you for being nicer to me this time. After all, I love England and visit several times each year, listen to the BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 all day long, and all my favorite artists are British, with Matt Monro being my favorite. In another message, I will list all my favorite singers/groups. I haven't been to Yorkshire yet, but I will visit one day---probably in 2008 or later. 2007 is the Year of Elgar so I plan to go to Worcester next year.
I had no intentions of ever listening to Maria again after I read your first reply. But since you were nicer in the second message, I listened to the song this morning. You may be partially right in that I'm letting my dislike of the song affect my evaluation of Mr Monro's performance. I will admit that "sing it soft and it's almost like praying" is a vocal highlight and the ending is breathtaking. It will never be one of my Matt Monro favorites, but I may have been too harsh in my previous evaluation.
If Maria is your fifth favorite, what are your top 4 songs?
Eventually in a new message, I will provide a countdown of my 40 favorite Matt Monro songs.
From: Guest in Maryland, USA
Thank you for being nicer to me this time. After all, I love England and visit several times each year, listen to the BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 all day long, and all my favorite artists are British, with Matt Monro being my favorite. In another message, I will list all my favorite singers/groups. I haven't been to Yorkshire yet, but I will visit one day---probably in 2008 or later. 2007 is the Year of Elgar so I plan to go to Worcester next year.
I had no intentions of ever listening to Maria again after I read your first reply. But since you were nicer in the second message, I listened to the song this morning. You may be partially right in that I'm letting my dislike of the song affect my evaluation of Mr Monro's performance. I will admit that "sing it soft and it's almost like praying" is a vocal highlight and the ending is breathtaking. It will never be one of my Matt Monro favorites, but I may have been too harsh in my previous evaluation.
If Maria is your fifth favorite, what are your top 4 songs?
Eventually in a new message, I will provide a countdown of my 40 favorite Matt Monro songs.
First of all can I start by answering the post from the Guest, prior to your post. In fact there is just NO ANSWER to it, is there. ????
Now I am just soooo glad you listened to "Maria" again, as you obviously heard something in the song this time around. If you give it a chance it will grow on you even more. Matts rendition of the song is the best I have ever heard, its just a pity you are not particularly fond of the song. I think it has everything, tenderness, brashness, a fantastic vocal range by Matt and so melodic, the ending always gives me goose-bumps. And the orchestration is absolutely wonderous.
I didnt say that Maria was my fifth favouite Matt song, but was in my top five. When I posted my top five songs I gave them in no particular order of preference.
My Top 5 Matt Monro songs are- (not in order of preference)-
1. BEFORE YOU GO -which on disc four of the 4 disc set The Singers Singer-
2. MARIA
3. PORTRAIT OF MY LOVE
4. SOFTLY AS I LEAVE YOU
5. WALK AWAY
It is virtually impossible to pick a top 5, 10, or 20 etc.. really, when it comes to MATT as he delivers the goods impeccably on most of his songs. I know that I am contradicting myself here, but here are another 5 songs by Matt I adore. I've tried to pick a couple of underated songs.
-Not in order of preference-
1. EBB TIDE
2. SRING IS HERE
3. FOOLS RUSH IN
4. LAURA
5. RAIN SOMETIMES
I await the posting of your favourite Matt songs with interest.
My tears will fall now that your gone
Now I am just soooo glad you listened to "Maria" again, as you obviously heard something in the song this time around. If you give it a chance it will grow on you even more. Matts rendition of the song is the best I have ever heard, its just a pity you are not particularly fond of the song. I think it has everything, tenderness, brashness, a fantastic vocal range by Matt and so melodic, the ending always gives me goose-bumps. And the orchestration is absolutely wonderous.
I didnt say that Maria was my fifth favouite Matt song, but was in my top five. When I posted my top five songs I gave them in no particular order of preference.
My Top 5 Matt Monro songs are- (not in order of preference)-
1. BEFORE YOU GO -which on disc four of the 4 disc set The Singers Singer-
2. MARIA
3. PORTRAIT OF MY LOVE
4. SOFTLY AS I LEAVE YOU
5. WALK AWAY
It is virtually impossible to pick a top 5, 10, or 20 etc.. really, when it comes to MATT as he delivers the goods impeccably on most of his songs. I know that I am contradicting myself here, but here are another 5 songs by Matt I adore. I've tried to pick a couple of underated songs.
-Not in order of preference-
1. EBB TIDE
2. SRING IS HERE
3. FOOLS RUSH IN
4. LAURA
5. RAIN SOMETIMES
I await the posting of your favourite Matt songs with interest.
My tears will fall now that your gone