The Ultimate Performer

lori · Post by **lori** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:16 am

I so agree with you!! The Ultimate Performer, I watch it as often as I can, and just want to study, and listen to Matts perfect voice... As I learned in the documentary, he never had a singing lesson, was told his voice was "perfect" and this we know is so true... This Dvd is far better than any of the current movies , and the best entertainment possible.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:59 am

We watched "The Ultimate Performer "again last night Lori.
Matt didn't have any singing lessons. Simply a gift that few were born with.

We are not really up to date with the current movies Lori but we know what you mean.

mark porter · Post by **mark porter** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:51 pm

havent seen this one, will certainly get it

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:31 am

You certainly should Mark, it's excellent.

jon · Post by **jon** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:17 pm

I've has a chance to watch this recently and enjoyed it a lot. It's great to see rare footage and to know that a lot of time and effort has gone into restoring these clips to such remarkable quality. Well done all concerned, including Michele.

Possibly my favourite clip was of Matt singing George Harrison's "Isn't It A Pity", a song I wasn't familar with but which he sang superbly on the programme concerned. I wonder, did he record this? Maybe not, but I wish he had. The age of the clip was circa 1971, I think, and the fashion styles of the performers and dancers, who reminded me of Pan's People, took me back to the days of the Nimble advert and the girl flying away in the hot air balloon in the TV advert of the same.

I also particularly liked the black-and-white clip of Matt singing "Love and Devotion", which showed off his voice to the full. But I wonder if I'm being a bit controversial in suggesting that he may have been miming this? He doesn't sound as if he is but the performance is so similar to the recorded one that I have just a shred of doubt. However, as he clearly isn't miming on any of the other clips I guess he isn't here either.

While all the clips were enjoyable overall, I have to say I'm not so keen on the Liberace footage. Matt himself is fine, of course, but I simply don't like Liberace, who's always struck me as a creepy, insincere guy. And the fact that he reminds me of Barry Manilow doesn't help either.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:02 pm

Jon, Matt did record 'Isn't It A Pity' with 'Mama Packed a Picnic Tea' on the flip side.
I've just bought a copy on ebay, it cost quite a lot, but thought it might never come along again.
Marian

Rmoore · Post by **Rmoore** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:17 pm

Yes, it's quite rare and being a George Harrison composition quite sort after
by his fans too!

Despite it being an A side it hasn't been re-issued since it's original release in 1971!

However if you can't find one on e-bay :-

The singles are coming!

Richard

jon · Post by **jon** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:49 pm

Hi Marian and Richard

Thanks for the info on "Isn't It A Pity". I'm delighted to learn Matt did record it and can't wait to hear this. Richard, can you remind me when the Singles collection is due out.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 3:10 pm

Hi Jon -this is not the same "Isn't it a pity" as recorded by Johnny Mathis, written by George Gershwin--I have to say that I wish it was!!

jon · Post by **jon** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:30 am

Hi Marian. No, of course, you're right, it isn't. Maybe we should start a thread on naming different songs with identical titles. 'For All We Know' is the other one that comes immediately to mind but I can't think of any more at the moment.

Rmoore · Post by **Rmoore** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:09 am

With a bit of luck Early 2010, We are working on this now (as you may have noticed from my other postings) so hopefully there will be no delay.

It's not just as simple as pulling out any old tape from the archives, there are too many differences on the singles so we have to be thorough .

Richard

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:37 am

You're doing a grand job, Richard, you keep it up.

And don't forget those concise sleeve notes whilst you're at it

(Hope you can take a joke. eek.

)

jon · Post by **jon** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:07 am

Early 2010 - not too long to wait...

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:01 am

At the rate 2008 went, 2010 will be here before we know it.

john · Post by **john** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:01 am

I agree Marian, it's hard to believe we are in April already.