From Matt Monro With Love on HMV's website

[paul jh]

I see a copy of The Singers Singer in almost every HMV I visit. I guess not all of the 2000 copies have been sold. I like knowing that I have a limited edition box set. It's one of only three box sets I have, the others being Henry Mancini and Stevie Wonder.

I'm hoping for a top 10 album placement for From Matt Monro With Love for the 11th and 18th of February chart. I'll be checking the midweek charts and keep you updated. And then it should go back up the charts in March for Mothering Sunday. What day is your Mother's Day? The US Mother's Day is in May, so the card shops and florists have something to sell that month. If it were in March, there could be competition with Easter and Passover. I don't know how your florists and card shops do it with so many competing holidays! And what do they sell in May?

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Mothering Sunday is on the 18th of March this year Paul, so the forthcoming CD a perfect gift solution.
We hope the new Love Cd hits the top Ten Too.
The good news is, as Michele has said, that it will be on sale from all the well know stores and not resricted to just HMV or Virgin megastores.

[michduncg]

Hi everyone - back after another week away from you all - my therapist says its better that way (noly joking!)

The 'Matt Monro woth Love' album sounds great, especially with the inclusion of 'More'. I did try to keep finding the album in M&S, but never did, although I think it was available online through their website.

Intersting, as a retailer, to hear about the 'Events Calendar' in the U.S. Paul - we don't celebrate a Passover on a wide scale in the UK - so Mothers Day is a Spring event. Fathers Day is June. We are now doing much more to celebrate Halloween in October. May has generally been left free for Wedding themes, although at John Lewis we also promote 'Outdoor Living' at that time of the year!

[paul jh]

Michael - I would have thought Waitrose would do big promotions for Passover as well as Easter. Having Mothers Day in March would get in the way of displaying and selling Easter flowers, dresses, neckties, candy, gifts, gretting cards. So Mothers Day in May is better for selling more flowers, dresses, candy, gifts, and cards. US retail doesn't do specific outdoor living themes, but that is an interesting concept.

Glad that you (and I) will finally get the solo version of More soon!

Remember, everyone, please let us know the first time you see the TV advert and enter a posting when you purchase the CD (or receive it in the post). I wish EMI would print a special edition vinyl LP of From Matt Monro With Love. Wouldn't that make a perfect gift for Valentine's Day? Even suitable for framing. Weren't vinyl LPs and 45s so much more pleasing to look at than CDs? I should have suggested that to the EMI gentleman at Fans Reunited.

[Marian]

Have just seen the TV ad for the very first time. Not on tv, but on CD of the month. Great to get a preview like this, it was a lovely surprise!
Many thanks Michele.

Marian

[Leeroy Hadders]

I agree Marian. Great advert. Showcases the cd perfectly. Love the soft, romantic air it has to it too!
Although I've got all but one of the tracks on the cd it is still an excellent cd for anyone's collection.
Thanks yet again Michele!

Lee H

[Michele Monro]

I am hoping Paul is right and we make the charts with this one, it has nothing to do with money but the credability of being able to have a TV advertised follow up hit. I think it might be a deciding factor as to whether the book I am writing is published.

One thing to bear in mind, we released 'The Ultimate Matt Monro' one week earlier in 2005 and although it entered the charts at No 23 it didn't wallop upto the No 7 spot until week 5 - that was the week we sold 43,000 units. This one has the advantage of actually targeting the Valentine's market and the disadvantage with the release date is that on the 14th February we have the Brit Awards and that always has a high impact on the market. The newspapers and the record shops spend an enormous amount of money on highlighting the artists in the nominee line-up and then announce the winners. Most of those artists zoom up the charts because of the zealous publicity.

I have my fingers crossed and here's hoping. Thank you to all of you that helps keep the legacy alive by purchasing this CD, I really appreciate it.

[Marian]

Have just heard form HMV that my CD has been despatched, so will hopefully get it soon. It takes a few days from Guernsey.

Marian

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Marian, we ordered ours from Amazon this time so we may hear any time now.

[mariana44]

I forget where I ordered mine from, so I guess I am just going to have to wait and see !!

[Marian]

Exciting isn't it? Look out for the postman!!!!!

Marian.

[mariana44]

Well, I know I will not be the first-I am lucky if my postie arrives before lunchtime !!

[Marian]

There is someone already offering copies of "From Matt, with Love" on eBay already!!

Marian

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Yes, we have seen it Marian. Amazing isn't it. Also a Marks & Spencer rare CD up for bidding, but not to be confused with the more recent M & S CD.

[paul jh]

The TV advert is perfect in how it starts out with When I Fall In Love. Even though I'm a bit tired of this song, no one can sing it as well as Matt Monro. His voice is so rich. Almost everyone on the planet knows this song, so they will stop in their tracks and notice the advert. Hopefully that will translate to high sales.

Michele is right about the Brit Awards: all the nominated rock and pop artists will see a big bump in sales for the 18th of February chart. But From Matt Monro With Love should do well on the 11th of February chart, and then again around Mother's Day. Hopefully the midweeks next week will reflect this.