Ultimate Performer

[yari48]

Split into two distinct parts, this two-disc set kicks off with Matt On TV. Here Monro sings 23 songs over a number of separate TV appearances on the likes of What’s On and The Wheeltappers & Shunters Social Club, with valuable between-show commentary from Monro’s son, Matt Monro Jnr, contextualising each performance.

The second part, An Evening With…, features a concert performance from 1967 – the only full-length live footage of Monro known to exist. Previously released, the quality is much improved this time around, a result of Odeon’s use of the BBC’s post-production facilities to restore and remaster the original tapes. There’s also a CD featuring a live concert from the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, 2 January 1966. A wonderful period piece, it provides a good cross-section of Monro’s oeuvre.

It’s taken Michele Monro, Matt’s daughter, almost 25 years to source permission and copyright clearances for some of this material but the task has been well worth it. Offering a wealth of treasure, this is an essential purchase for any Monro aficionado.


Odeon ODNM | 019 (2-DVD+CD)

Reviewed by Paul Rigby

[keithgood838]

Yesterday, I attended Matt's concert at the Arenata
Coliseum and joyfully relished the proceedings from
my front row seat. Typically, I left the venue singing
a song from the performance, All of a Sudden, and
like fine wine aftertaste, it lingered pleasurably
on my tongue.
What a delightful earworm, and equally delightful
occasion. Vintage Monro!
Keith

[ROBERT M.]

I bet you wish you could have got Matt's autograph after the concert, Keith good job you had a front row too Keith, with 26,000 there you wouldn't have seen much from the back of the arena

[keithgood838]

I was too busy enjoying the music
to notice the vast audience, Robert.
However I did appreciate the excellent
acoustics; they almost equalled your
ear-pleasing, four-speaker surround sound.
Matt was in marvellous voice.
I'm going again soon.
Keith

[ROBERT M.]