BLUE and
SENTIMENTAL
Well, I had to wait for what seemed weeks for HMV to post Matt Monro Sings to me, but I received it a few days ago. Surprise surprise the CD case was ...............
unbroken
Considering this was Matt's first time in a recording studio, apart from recording Polka Dots and Moonbeams, this CD beggars belief how remarkable Matt sounds, note perfect, pitch perfect and how so very professional Matt/Terry Parsons sound's on what was naturally such a nervous day for him, one can imagine the feelings Matt was going through during the session.
It is hard to believe all
12 songs on Blue and Sentimental were recorded in just
one day............a cold and miserable day at that, and we can all see the funny side of Matt wearing his bus drivers jacket during the recording session.
Those first 12 song's were recorded on October 28th 1956, but by January 5th the following year I think you can notice the more assured and mature Matt sound, especially on his recording of
Garden of Eden which I believe has Matts traditional hold of the long final note, for the first time on record, so wonderful. I don't know if Richard had anything to with it, but Matts magnificent voice is heard fading to an echo through the speakers, which is so lovely to hear.
The Bean Song (which way to Boston) is pure uptempo Matt at his very best, one of Matts best ever foot tapping recordings. By this time, Matts voice is 100% there, no doubt about it.
Did you notice The Garden of Eden/Love Me Do (obviously not the Beatles song)

was recorded on January 14th 1957, and was released as a single just
4 days later, now that takes some beating.
So
Blue and
Sentimental has
18 wonderful Matt tracks from his early recording career. Many thanks to Michele and Not Now Music for bringing us these gems, and a big thank you too to Richard Moore for his amazing work at re-mastering the tracks, to let us enjoy the songs as if they were recorded just yesterday