Matt Monro Forum

I'm 29 and would like to put my tuppence worth in about Matt Monro. I first heard his music at the end of "From Russia With Love" when I was about 10. I'm into all the old music and I later found out that my Nan was a big Monro fan - and we ended up swapping tapes! For a long time, I didn't know anything about him, apart from something about him being a singing bus conductor in London.

Back then, there didn't seem to be many of his CDs about, and the Internet didn't exist, so all I knew about him was what I read on my tape inlay - and from listenign to his voice.

And what a voice.

A compilation tape featuring "On days like these", "On a Clear Day", "From Russia..", "Portrait...." and "Yesterday" was the soundtrack to my very happy 6th form years and I clearly remember listening to "From Russia With Love" on my Walkman as my English teacher discussed the merits of Jane Austen once or twice!

For me, Matt's voice had it all. Warmth, richness, a rare timbre. It was highly emotive and truly English. I feel that his personality shone through that voice and, to me, he sounded very much like the kind of bloke who would go out of his way for you - a genuinely nice man.

My Nan passed away in 2003 but, from time to time, I play her some of Matt's records. A chill often runs down my spine as I sit there listening, and I know that, somewhere, she is listening too. Magic.

If any of his family read this board, I would like them to know that Matt's legacy lives on and will continue to delight fans of good music for many years to come. He was one of the greatest singers and, I would say, better than Sinatra in many respects.

And I don't say that lightly.

Welcome to the fan site, JW. I'm not quite so young as you but I certainly liked Matt Monro and other balladeers like Johnny Mathis when I was your age, and I believe there are other young fans on this website too. You can appreciate good singing at any age really. Obviously there is now a wealth of Matt recordings available to buy, with more due soon for release thanks to the work of Michelle, so here's to many more years of musical pleasure with Matt, and to sharing your love of Matt with other like-minded fans.

Hi JW, thank you for your nice posting and welcome to the web-site we hope you will continue posting and joining the forum.
Of course you don't have to be of the older generation of people to appreciate music of this kind and we have discussed this recently.
Matt's music, and unmatchable velvety voice and songs appeal to all ages and what lovely memories you have to treasure of your Nan sharing and swapping tapes.
If you browse the web-site you will find information and news of two of Matt's recently released CDs, if you haven't yet heard of these. The titles are "Heart Of A Man" and "The Rare Monro." We share our thoughts and opinions and talk of our favourite tracks and these two exceptional CDs have given us so much scope for discussion.
We talk about all kinds of music and performers on the forum here but primarily about Matt and his music.

Hi JW and welcome to the site! Like you, I think that 'From Russia with Love' was probably the 1st time I hear Matts voice, and remember really liking it! Also one of the best Bond films, before the special effects took over!

Enjoy the site - the message boards are very active - particularly Lena & Harry!

Mike, you missed Marian off your "active" list, as she is not too far behind those two London OAPS

Welcome to the MM forum JW, but just to put the record straight, as most people on here know I like to do. Matt was a singing bus "driver" not conductor

Indeed she is Robert, bless her!- I think shes on some sort of tour at the moment, seeing more concerts in a week than I do in a year! And I bet she gets discretionary rate tickets as well! Sorry - I meant concessionary rate, but it made me chuckle so I left it in! No need to correct it though Robert

Hi all--I wish I did get discretionary tickets Or whatever.
And I think Robert is hiding his light under a bushel---over 800 points is going some!! Especially printing out all those emoticons

And JW, you seem to have had a lovely welcome from everone, so I will just say "Likewise"

Marian

I am (was) as youngish fan (40 this year...) I have been loving Matt and many others of his time and style since I was 18.
I was at 18 - the time of FGTH and The Eurythmics etc. a huge fan of Shirley Bassey, Eartha Kitt and many artists that had recorded in the 50's and 60's. Still love 'pop' music but nothing tops the sound of these classic voices.

Couldn't agree more Dean, and Shirley Bassey is a star and a favourite on this forum.

Hi all--I guess I am going to show my age here ---again

But who or what is FGTH??

Marian

"Frankie Goes To Hollywood" - really big in 1984 when I was 18! - all my friends were buying their records and I was searching secondhand shops for Shirley Bassey LP's. Have aways loved the GAS (Great American Songbook) and fantastic arrangements and real recordings with live orchestra, and voices that touch your heart and soul.

Aha-Of course I know now.

I also love the GAS------tons of good songs available there.

Marian

Another great voice is that of Vikki Carr, she also did a cover of 'Walk Away' that amazingly took decades to get released but finally appeared on a CD in 1995 called 'The Unforgettable'.
Vikki also (re-)recorded a great deal of her hits in Spanish.

Vicki Carr was sooo dramatic - i thought she was Portugese anyway, which may explain the Spanish? Or was that Astrid Gilberto? Hmmm - I get confused - is that what happens as you get older people? Vicki's version of 'It must be him' was truly spectacular in its emotion. Shirley Bassie sang it on her 'Big Spender'album, and although she did it justice, its still Vickis song

Also love Petula Clarke, a quintisentially English performer - until she married a Frenchman! Love songs like 'colour my world', 'The other mans grass' and 'Don't sleep in the subway'. Also some her older pop stuff such as Romeo, and Sailor

Dean, being Dutch do you like Guus Meeuvis & Vagant?? A friend of mine was based in Germany with the RAF about 5-6 years ago but used to live in place called Roermond. He fell in love with all things Dutch & German including the song Per Spoor (kedeng kedeng) and always plays it any parties - its become a real partypiece to stand and sing it in Dutch!

Had a great night out in Roermond, once we'd escaped the British squaddies, and joined the locals! Danced until about 3am with a live group in a bar. So much unlike an English night out, whihc usually ends up with a fight (not on my part I hasten to add - just British towns on weekend in general!)

michduncg wrote:Vicki Carr was sooo dramatic - i thought she was Portugese anyway, which may explain the Spanish?

Vikki has Mexican/Spanish roots - I thought she was actually born In the US, but am not 100% sure. I recent years she has recorded mainly in Spanish and rarely records in English.

michduncg wrote:Also love Petula Clarke, a quintisentially English performer - until she married a Frenchman!

Pet was huge in France and recorded a great deal there in the 60's - she also a great version of 'Down Town' in Italian.

michduncg wrote:Dean, being Dutch do you like Guus Meeuvis & Vagant?? A friend of mine was based in Germany with the RAF about 5-6 years ago but used to live in place called Roermond. He fell in love with all things Dutch & German including the song Per Spoor (kedeng kedeng)

Ha Ha - yes I know this song well - Guus has had a couple of very big hits here in the Netherlands - he was actually a law student and started the band as a bit of fun that eventually turned into a full time job.
Anyone who wants to hear a truely wonderful Dutch voice should try and find an album of Brel songs recorded by Liesbeth List in 1968, a wonderful singer.
I know what you mean by the differance in the Pub culture in the UK and the Bar/Cafe culture of mainland Europe, you rarely see anyone drunk or
asking for a fight after a night out here, it does happen now and again but not as often as in the UK. Has the extended hours of opening not helped?
BTW. I am a Brit who has lived here in Holland since 1989 - I was born in Portsmouth in the UK.