JOHNNY MATHIS

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mariana44
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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by mariana44 » Sat Aug 21, 2010 11:12 pm

I seem to remember it was the same duet that Elaine sang with Barbara Dixson--the song from Chess---whoch I cannot remember the title of just now.

Oh , was it "I know him so well " ??
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Terence Lee
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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by Terence Lee » Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:39 am

Harmony in Mathis' Jewish Recordings

by David Mermelstein
Los Angeles Times, August 19, 2010

At a time when the relationship between African Americans and American Jews seems largely irrelevant to the national conversation, the Idelsohn Society for Musical Preservation is directing its gaze back at a different era. Not the early 1990s, when tensions between the two communities exploded into riots in Brooklyn's Crown Heights, but to the days more than 30 years prior, when blacks and Jews reached across the divide to embrace commonalities.

It's the driving force behind "Black Sabbath: The Secret Musical History of Black-Jewish Relations," the society's latest collection of music, available Sept. 14 as a compact disc and digital download. An exhibit of the same name, opening Aug. 26 at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, will augment the album.

In addition, the society -- a nonprofit organization formed and run by four nostalgia-loving, middle-aged Jewish men -- will honor the ageless balladeer Johnny Mathis on Thursday night at the Skirball Cultural Center, where another Idelsohn exhibit, "Jews on Vinyl," remains on view through Sept. 5.

Mathis is to receive the inaugural Idelsohn Society Honors, an award the organization plans on bestowing annually. "Our goal is that we will pay tribute to key figures in American-Jewish music whose stories have not been told," said Josh Kun, a professor at USC's Annenberg School and one of the Idelsohn's four charter members.

How Mathis, who turns 75 next month, meets Kun's description is what "Black Sabbath" is all about. In 1958, Mathis, then at the height of his fame, recorded an album titled "Good Night, Dear Lord." Conceived as a tribute to his mother, it included spirituals such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Deep River," two versions of "Ave Maria" and three unexpected selections: the Yiddish hymn "Eli Eli"; a song about the Warsaw Ghetto, "Where Can I Go?"; and an abbreviated rendition of "Kol Nidre," the Aramaic liturgical chant sung at the start of Yom Kippur.

The suggestion to include those three items apparently came from Mathis' arranger, Percy Faith, and his producer, the late Mitch Miller. Both men were Jewish, and according to the singer, "They heard such music all the time and didn't think there was anything strange about it."

For Mathis, the impetus to place material of different faiths on one record came from his own broad views about worship. "I've always felt a kinship to all religions," he said, dressed casually and staring out a picture window at his house in the hills above Sunset Plaza earlier this week. "I was never concerned about what kind of religious music I was singing. What mattered was that it gave me a lot of satisfaction. "

Now his version of "Kol Nidre" caps the "Black Sabbath" album. "It was definitely a catalyst for the project," said Courtney Holt, president of MySpace Music and another Idelsohn founder. "Black Sabbath" opens with Billie Holiday singing "My Yiddishe Momme" and includes rarities like the alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley playing "Sabbath Prayer" from "Fiddler on the Roof" and Eartha Kitt and Nina Simone giving spirited renditions of familiar Hebrew songs.

But entertainment is only one goal of the Idelsohn Society, which is named after Abraham Zevi Idelsohn, a Latvian-born cantor who in the early 20th century essentially created modern Jewish ethnomusicology. "We revisit history through music," Holt said. "Our records are not just for lean-back listening. They are also to inspire conversations. We see them as part of a larger curriculum."

For Gayle Wald, a professor of English at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., who studies African American culture and popular music, "Black Sabbath" explores a lesser-known aspect of a wider field.

"While the story of Jewish interest in African American music is well known, we know a lot less about African American interest in Jewish music," she said. "American Jews in the mid-20th century were thrilled to hear black musicians doing songs in Hebrew or Yiddish. It somehow made them feel more American. And black performers apparently identified with the content of this music. The minor tones in 'Kol Nidre' and even 'Hava Nagila' were kind of Jewish blue notes, and black performers found something rewarding in it -- and not as parody; they did it straight. That's what's so moving about it."

Mathis confirms her contention. "I always thought that blacks and Jews had this bond between them," the singer said. "It sounds like a cliche, because everybody has suffering in their lives, but black people and Jewish people seem to have risen above it, and one of the reasons is that music has given them inspiration. "

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mariana44
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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by mariana44 » Mon Aug 23, 2010 12:33 pm

The song that John is singing with Elaine is called "It mught be tonight" and is the theme from "Tootsie" --apparently. I am none the wiser.
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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by Terence Lee » Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:46 pm

Mariana, the song from Tootsie is "It Might Be You" and it was sung to perfection by Stephen Bishop. It will be interesting to hear the new duet version by Johnny & Elaine.

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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by mariana44 » Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:45 pm

Thanks Terence---my friend told me the name of the song, but I obviously did not quite remember it-I will llok out for it on Youtube or somwhere.
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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by mariana44 » Mon Aug 23, 2010 7:15 pm

I have just been doing some searching and I think I have found it---I know the song well-it's a lovely song-also sung by Roberta Flack--composed by Marilyn and Alan Bergman---no wonder I liked it.

I am hoping it is the same song !!
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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by Terence Lee » Mon Sep 27, 2010 1:23 pm

Johnny Mathis at 75

Pops singer to celebrate birthday with Baltimore concert

by Tim Smith
Baltimore Sun, September 26, 2010

Johnny Mathis, he of the vocal velvet and distinctive purr, sounds today almost uncannily close to the way he did when he first stirred up the music world in the mid-1950s. The singer has a new album out this month, adding to his remarkable 130-plus discography with a laid-back, lushly sung collection of country classics, "Let It Be Me -- Mathis in Nashville."

This week, he marks his 75th birthday with a concert in Baltimore. Before heading on the road, he called from his California home for an interview:

Q: "Country music" and "Johnny Mathis" are not often uttered in the same sentence. What was it like putting together a country album?

A: You know, when I was 5 or 6 years old, the songs my dad played for me and sang for me were country. He had the radio tuned to country music. Over the years, I've sung a few songs of that genre. It was a hoot to go to Nashville to do the album. I love this music. I listened to everybody's recordings of these wonderful songs, but once you put your earphones on in the studio, you forget about everyone else and just start singing.

Q: Are there any other repertoire surprises up your sleeve?

A: If I keep on recording, we'll have to make up some genres.

Q: One of your earliest albums, in 1958, was a departure from the pop field. It was devoted to religious music, including spirituals and hymns. And you did an extraordinary performance of the Hebrew chant, "Kol Nidre," which has just received fresh attention.

A: When I did the religious album, it was done with my mom and dad in mind. I get emotional about that. I got a nice award last month from a new organization [the California-based Idelsohn Society for Musical Preservation] , which has released a nice collection of people of color singing songs in Hebrew and Yiddish, which I also did on that album. Over the years, if you live long enough, you get to sing in many languages. [The society's just-out recording is called "Black Sabbath: The Secret Musical History of Black-Jewish Relations."] I studied with a lady who was an opera singer and I also listened to operatic music. That helped me later on not to feel intimidated singing in other languages.

Q: Did you ever want to sing classical music?

A: Early on, I sang some of the "Bachianas Brasileiras" [by Heitor Villa-Lobos] . I was a kid. I didn't care if it came off or not. But I never got the finished product where I wanted it to be.

Q: What's the best thing you've done to preserve your voice?

A: I started very early. My teacher said, 'You will probably want to sing for the rest of your life.' So the first thing I did was learn to take care of my voice, which mostly is just a matter of don't do this, don't do that. Twenty years ago, I met a kinesiologist on the golf course. After I got home, I looked up what that meant. I worked out with him for 15 or 16 years, and, after his death, I found a new trainer. Exercise seems to be the thing that works for me.

Q: How does eating figure in? I ask since you're known as quite a cook.

A: Mom and dad were professional cooks, along with other things they were doing to support a big family. I learned to cook when I was young. Now I adopt my diet to my cholesterol level. That helps a great deal. When I gave up alcohol and other bad habits, a doctor told me I would have a yen for something sweet, and I do. But I make some cookies without putting all the fun stuff in them.

Q: Your career has spanned such a volatile part of pop music history, so many changes of style and taste. What has it been like inside the business all this time?

A: Over the years, I've tried to make sure I didn't get too far away from what I really love to do, which is singing beautiful melodies. I tried out a lot of raucous stuff. But the guy I respect the most, guitarist Gil Reigers, who has been sitting next to me for 40 years, will patiently listen to me try something, and then say, 'Yeah, John, but I still like when you sing this,' And I'll go back to my little place, where I'll probably be at for the rest of my life.

Q: For your 75th birthday on Thursday, you'll be performing here in Baltimore. Is that how you envisioned spending your milestone?

A: To celebrate my birthday onstage is exactly what I want to be doing. And I love going out to the restaurants in Baltimore. The seafood in Baltimore is just the best in the world. Along the way, you wonder what it will be like at this age or that age. Well, finally, I'm that age. And to be able to sing to an audience is what keeps me energized. I've been very lucky. In the long run, the happiness, the real joy comes when you are capable of doing what you hope you can do.

Q: One connection to Baltimore that a lot of us were not expecting is that you ended up being a substantial part of John Waters' recent book, "Role Models."

A: Isn't that amazing? Of course, I was very aware of his work in films. We've all looked wide-eyed at them and gone, 'Oh, my goodness.' But when he came backstage to meet me a few years ago, I didn't know what his reason was. To be in his book was very surprising -- and gratifying.

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mariana44
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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by mariana44 » Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:13 pm

Great article Terence.

I received the new cd, just over a week ago, but my sister has been staying with me for a week, so I have not had a great deal of time to give my opinion.

It is a very relaxed sounding cd--very different to any JM previous recording.

2 of my favourites are. as I predicted "Let it be Me " with Alison Krauss, and Shenandoah. But the 2 I liked the best were "We must be Loving right"-seldom heard song , from a Barbra Streisand cd, plus the one I like the best, I have never heard before, is called "You don't know me"--I know there is a well known song with this title, but this is a different song. I do not like "I can't stop loving you--but I never did.
Last edited by mariana44 on Mon Oct 04, 2010 5:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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jon
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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by jon » Mon Oct 04, 2010 2:25 pm

Intriguing review, Marian, especially the "unlike any other JM recording" bit. I look forward to hearing it.

Interesting to see that he sings a track with Alison Krauss. I recently listened to the album "Raising Sands" which recently she made with Robert Plant, the former lead singer of Led Zeppelin, and which got rave reviews in the press - but I thought it was the most boring album I've ever heard! I almost fell asleep listening to it. Let's hope this new JM album isn't the same.

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Marian
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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by Marian » Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:28 pm

According to a friend on facebook Johnny Mathis is a guest on the Jay Leno Tonight Show, tonight. :D

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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by paul jh » Thu Oct 14, 2010 3:39 am

Thanks Marian. :D

I knew he would sing at the end of the programme (12:30am), so I recorded it and watched this morning. He sang Crazy. I'm very tired of that song, but he tastefully changed the melody to make it somewhat interesting. He sang it very well and got a standing ovation.

I only wish he'd consider letting his hair go gray or white.

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mariana44
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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by mariana44 » Mon Oct 18, 2010 11:04 pm

You are right Paul-I always think grey hair on a man looks so distinguished. In fact, George, and also his son and daughter, all became grey at a very early age, and it really did suit them.

I think "Crazy" is one of my least favourite tracks on that cd.
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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by Terence Lee » Fri Dec 03, 2010 6:30 pm

Congratulations to Johnny Mathis for his Grammy nomination in the traditional pop category. I hope he wins over Michael Buble, Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow & Rod Stewart.

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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by mariana44 » Sat Dec 04, 2010 4:13 pm

Much as I am reluctant to say it, I think the other contenders may be a little stronger. I have heard very little in the Uk of the latest Country Cd.

As I recall, the last time he was nominated, was for the Duke Ellington tribute.
Mariana

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jon
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Re: JOHNNY MATHIS

Post by jon » Sun Dec 05, 2010 3:36 pm

Interesting comments, Marian. I haven't heard JM's new album yet but are you saying it's not the strongest contender because it hasn't received much attention/airplay over here or because you think it's not actuallly very good?

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