Matt Monro Forum

Just thought I would mention I like Sedaka as well, The Hungry Years is one of my favourites as I mentioned a little earlier, another good one is Our Last Song Together and also Solitaire, although I prefer The Carpenters version of this and also Andy Williams. Another lovely one is The Miracle Song, a later one. I like Betty Grable as well.

Neil Sedaka is one of Marians (from Kent) favourite singers, which has been mentioned many times on these boards john. As I have said before, my favourite song by Neil Sedaka is "Laughter In the Rain" - just so very beautiful and melodic

I quite like certain Neil Sedaka songs too, though I've never heard him sing live. I have had breakfast in the same restaurant as him though, in Palm Springs about three years back.

Marian

Robert is quite correct---Neil is one of my favourites-and some of the songs he has written are just beautiful. I have seen him in concert many times, plus I have met him at several fan club parties.

I also saw him once in Las Vegas--he was walking down the street just behind my friends and me ! But I was too nervous to speak to him !!!!!

We have not seen Neil Sedaka live, but from what we have seen of him on TV and heard of him, he is another of the rare performers who is not afraid to show appreciation to his fans. it's always nice to see.

I agree L&H, as he always seems so genuine

My favourite Neil Sedaka song is The Immigrant. Radio 2 plays it every once in awhile and I get really excited because I don't own a recording of it.

Do any of you have the album of Yiddish songs that he recorded one or two years ago? I've never found it in American record stores. Perhaps HMV on Oxford Street have it, or perhaps it was never issued. Has the DJ with his monster memories Sunday afternoon programme on Radio Essex ever played any Yiddish songs by Neil Sedaka?

Hi Paul-- I have loads of Sedaka cd's,but I have never managed to locate the Yiddish CD that Neil did--although I have the odd one or 2 Yiddish tracks on a "Rare Tracks and Oddities"cd--he has also sang in German and other languages too. Plus I have a feeling that he sang in Japanese too.

Yes, I do love Neil Sedaka too, but in my usual way prefer his 'Tra la la' stuff to his ballads! He such an exuberant style, with great wit and clever lyrics. In many ways 'The Queen of 1964' is one my favourite tracks because of his humour - that line 'She didn't get Mick, but she gotta kick and a black eye from Bianca' makes me laugh everytime I hear it!

Of his later stuff, 'Little Brother' and 'Betty Grable' do stand out but so do 'Love will keep us together', 'The other side of me' and the song whose name escapes me but includes the lyric 'Whose been teaching you - show me the man I'd like to shake his hand!'

He's also written some terrific songs for other artistes - think Connie Francis has a lot to thank him for!

Hi Mike--I just love "Queen of 1964" also--it is great to hear him sing it in a live show, and joining in all the "Oohs" and "Aahs".

The line you quoted was great, and I also love-

"She was found with her arms around
An Elvis Presley poster"

Always makes me smile, because at one time I collected Elvis Presley pics etc----I never actually had a poster, but I sure would have liked one.

It is a great song--it is catchy, funny, and cute.

Like a lot of Neil's songs. Plus some great ballads--he is just so talented.

Just wondered if Sedaka fans know he is over here next year..

Neil Sedaka
Bournemouth International Centre
Bournemouth, UK
Mon, 06/07/09
Tickets On Sale Wed, 12/11/08

I don't know if this is part of a U.K tour, but it looks likely.
Marian

I did not know he was on tour next year--but he is due to tour Uk.

Is he not appearing in London-Royal Festival Hall, or Royal Albert Hall??

Much as I would like to, I do not think i will get to see him next year.

I have just bought a new Neil Sedaka cd---I think it is only available from US at the moment.

It is called "Waking up is hard to do"
and also includes songs like "Where the toys are" and "Happy Birthday number 3" and "Is this the way to cross the street now"

It consists actually of all his greatest hits, with diffferent words [for children] and has his twin granddaughters singing along. It is very cute, and also very clever, the way he has changed the words.

For instance --he sings
"Ooh I hear Laaughter in the rain--don't forget your boots and umbrella".

"Calender Girl" becomes "Dinosaur Pet"

I really love it already.

I just read the following review in Music Week of a new Neil Sedaka album:

Sedaka's first studio album in 10 years, The Music of My Life celebrates his 57-year career in the business and is a collection of new songs that Sedaka himself is hailing his best yet. Talking about the album recently he noted, "it might be my last set of pop songs, as I feel I cannot top these.". The album's release date coincides with the first night of his 10-date UK tour, which will take him from Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall on June 22 to BIC in Bournemouth on July 6.

Thanks for that information Paul-I will definately be on the lookout for that--some of my favourite songs were written by Neil Sedaka.