Johnny Mathis

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:55 pm

Wow, we couldn't believe it when we saw Marian's name on the forum,
It's so good to know that she is enjoying the concerts, even at draughty Wembley.
So it's raining in Manchester, well that's a change

It's ok Marian, it's been raining here for most of the day too.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:16 pm

Hi all--well I am back complete with reading glasses, to clarify a few things.

Firstly the arena was not cold and draughty---it was a beautiful evening--nobody need a coat or jacket.

I was really lucky as I originally had a seat in the third row, but slightly on the side--but met up with a good friend of mine, who just happened to have a spare seat next to her---right on the middle of the centre block--Front Row!! Just perfect. I held up my stitched banner -[saying Welcome Back], but it was quite dark, and I do not think he saw it. However I had it again In Birmingham--more brillliant seats in the middle of centre block--2nd Row, and he saw it that time, as it was brighter. I even manged to take some really good pics with my new digital camera--obviously the first time I have used it for anything like this,

At the end of the show in Birmingham he walked off stage with some flowers and a cookery book--plus an ENGLISH flag--I think tomorrow he may well end up with a Scottish Flag--Watch this space.!!

To clear up the question of the Welsh Flag--John has 2 very devoted fans, who come from Newport Wales, and they always manage to get at least 1 Welsh flag up to him on every tour--and on one occasion a Giant Welsh Dragon. This is true!! And one year my Scottish Friend bought down a whole Scottish Smoked Salmon to give to him at the end of the show--and no, I am not kidding

I am just going to try to catch up on a few postings--my friends went to bed an hour ago ---no stamina!!!

Marian

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:40 pm

You must have some fairly old friends then Marian, going to bed so early

seriously its really good to hear from you "during the tour" and keeping us upto date with all the latest happenings. Its a little bit like having your own personal "Blog"

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:38 pm

Hi Marian, well that's solved the mystery of the Welsh flag, and we're so pleased to know that he saw your banner, and hope you've got some good pictures.
Well your friend gave him smoked salmon eh. sounds a bit fishy.
Anyway enjoy the concert tomorrow evening. Have you got a recorder going ?
Yes, we've saved the report.

jon · Post by **jon** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:56 pm

Hi Marian

Pleased to see your posts "live" from the Mathis tour. Glad to hear they're going well. I'd be interested in a track listing when you return. I wonder, does he vary the songs each night, or sing the same ones?

Mark Fox · Post by **Mark Fox** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:44 am

jon wrote:Hi Marian

Pleased to see your posts "live" from the Mathis tour. Glad to hear they're going well. I'd be interested in a track listing when you return. I wonder, does he vary the songs each night, or sing the same ones?

Friends in Manchester say the concert was superb.

Leeroy Hadders · Post by **Leeroy Hadders** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 2:15 pm

Hiya Marian: Good to read your posts. Glad to see you're enjoying your concert tour and good to see the shows are going well for Mr Mathis.

Glad to read he saw your banner. I agree with what was mentioned earlier, it would be nice (if you find the time of course) to see what Johnny sang in each of the shows. Hope you're photographs turn out well - it's great to have things like that to take away with you from a concert isn't it.
Glad you're having a good time anyway

Lee

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:12 pm

Hi everyone---just got back home--very exhausted--I may have a little nap later, but I could not resist catching up on the Forum news. I will post a list of songs later, also one or 2 photos on the photo page.

The concert at Manchester certainly was outstanding! Shame that the MENA is such an awful place---clinb up millions of stairs to get in--then down millions of stairs to get back down to the arena--no handrails!--really frightening---Huge speakers on the floor and on the stage, that blocked quite a lot of the view--plus a prominent echo--most noticable during speaking. But JM actually got the best reception there, and he was on top form--maybe because he had been over to Ireland for the Ryder Cup on the rest day, and was due to go back on Sunday !!

I will catch up later.

Marian

Mark Fox · Post by **Mark Fox** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:45 pm

mariana44 wrote:Hi everyone---just got back home--very exhausted--I may have a little nap later, but I could not resist catching up on the Forum news. I will post a list of songs later, also one or 2 photos on the photo page.

The concert at Manchester certainly was outstanding! Shame that the MENA is such an awful place---clinb up millions of stairs to get in--then down millions of stairs to get back down to the arena--no handrails!--really frightening---Huge speakers on the floor and on the stage, that blocked quite a lot of the view--plus a prominent echo--most noticable during speaking. But JM actually got the best reception there, and he was on top form--maybe because he had been over to Ireland for the Ryder Cup on the rest day, and was due to go back on Sunday !!

I will catch up later.

The MEN is dreadful-especially if you suffer from vertigo.
Saw Pavarotti there-we were at floor level but friends had a poor experience.

Marian

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:01 pm

Hello Marian.
Welcome Back
Welcome Back
Welcome Back
Welcome Back...................as the song goes. Very happy to see you back with us

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:55 pm

Hi Robert--thanks so much-I am really glad to be back with you all!

It has not been the same without my daily trip to the "Forum"--even though I manged a couple of unscheduled visits!!

Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:45 pm

Great to know that you're back safe and sound Marian we've missed you.
We shall look forward to the pictures.
Did you get to meet him??
David Jacobs played a great selection of recordings last night, guess who was one of them!! Johnny duetting with Barbara Streisand. "I Have A Love" superb.!!!

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 11:03 pm

Hi Lena and Harry--good to be back---2 of my favourites singing together there.--and such a beautiful song. 3 of my friends actually went to USA to see that charity performance-It was all different stars singing music from "West Side Story", and apparently Elton John sang "I feel Pretty"

I will have more news later-I am wilting a bit now-trying to catch up on my emails etc.

Marian

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:01 am

Hi Marian

Glad to see you back after your tour! Hope you didn't have too many late nights partying with all your friends on the road! Yes, isn't the MEN arena scary -- its bad enough with nothing to hold unto when you're 38, can't imagine what it must be like when you're 40s like you

Looking forward to hearing your news - and to see what you think of that Eydie Gorme album!

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 10:39 am

Hi Mike and everyone. Well, believe it or not, I had no late night--I travelled with new companions, as my regulars for the last 20 years could not make it-due to family, health, financial commitments etc.
So my new companions, went straight to bed after the concerts--on our free days-even worse--one night they went up at 9.30--and on the final night they went up at 9.00---nobody would even stay up to have 1 drink--I went up to my own room by myself and watched Xtra Factor with a mug of herbal tea--it was seriously weird.

I want a little more excitement at the Matt Jr concert, guys

Even if it is watching Paul doing YMCA

On previous occasions, with my best friends Frances and Julie-we shared a room, and every night-even after the shows , we had a party in our room-sometimes as many as 20 friends--on the bed, on the floor, crammed in every corner--lots of wine, food, music , singsongs---it was brilliant--exhausting--yes!
But so much fun--I really missed out on that this time.

But at least I got to see 3 concerts, I will not forget that.

No time yet to listen to Eydie-I will try and fit it in this week-but I have a million things to catch up on.

Marian