Post
by Josh » Mon Feb 14, 2011 2:39 pm
Well having rushed to HMV on sunday hoping to find a copy I've now had a chance to listen in more detail to the discs.
Upon walking into to HMV needless to say I went straight to the MM section praying their would be a copy and luckily there was! I snatched it up immediatley in fear someone else may have got to it if I'd had a quick browse before.
The cover of the set features a photo we're all farmillar with, showing Matt in his element, microphone in hand, pure class as per usual. The red and black contrast well, mimicing the look of the book, clearly a deliberate thing. Hopefully the audio version will encourage others to seek out a hard copy for their book shelves!
Again the Monro fans are treated to some great linear notes which I just love. Just the right mix of technical detail and reflection on the project to whet our apetite to hear the discs! Michele really is a great writer but I don't need to tell you lot that!
Now the discs themselves, I can't say I've ever heard the Hoagy Carmichael album in it's entirety before this release so I was reallllllly excited to get it. Previously I'd only heard the tracks that have been issued ion compilations over the years so I was hearing some of these tracks for the very first time definatley a thrilling a thing.
The musicanship as always is excellent, I can hear why many rate this as Matt's finest hour, the arrangements are gorgeous and Matt's vocals are truly stunning, a collection of essential performances. The bonus tracks offer some great variety with some of the songs being presented in a different way e.g The Nearness of You with a simple piano accompaniment or alternate takes such as Skylark. We're even given a new version of Lazy River; this time in the form of a duet and also included is a rather funny outtake during the recording of By The Way hearing Matt fluffs his lines reminds us not only was he just a human being with extraordinary talent but also makes us feel as if we the listner are right there at the session.
Richard Moore, which has now fortunatley become standard on the MM releases, has outdone himself yet again in restoring and remastering these tracks. He is a big part of why these recordings sound as perfect and exquiste as they do. So thank you once again Richard for all your hard work on the Monro catalogue, you spoil us fans with your talents!
Moving on to the "Words" section of this release, those wise enough to purchase this landmark release will be treated to an audio (albeit abridged) version of Michele's incredible book "The Singer's Singer". There's no need for me to go into details on the text as I'm sure you've all read it by now and know how great it is (if you haven't stop reading this and go gget a copy now!) what's great about the addition of the audio book is that it's written by the great lady herself: Michele Monro. What more could you want? THE book on Matt Monro on THE authority on Matt Monro. Just perfect. Michele reads the book perfectly with the words clear and crisp. Again another sucess for the greatest book published last year (has it really been that long already!?)
Overall another outstanding effort from the Monro team which finally sees the release of one of Matt's essential original albums. It seems I'm getting my wish in seeing all of Matt's original studio albums being issued. I look forward to more!
Once again huge thanks and praise must be lavished on Michele Monro and Richard Moore who must work ridiculous hours to bring us the fans such great releases with the highest quality production values so once again, from a simple fan, I THANK YOU!
...........well a couple of days ago I heard a Royal Mail van which had music blaring out too...............but the music was Softly As I Leave You by Matt 
....................now, if only all the other music blaring out of vehicles was Matt, or easy listening music 
