Excellent Matt Monro recording rarely mentioned in the forum

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:16 pm

Jeff--you are quite right---It is time that Jon had his picture so that we can see him---come on Jon--what are you waiting for !!!

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 2:00 pm

I agree with Jeff and Mariana, Jon you have got away with anonimity long enough

, be brave, time to add your picture to the rogues gallery!

Marian

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:53 pm

Jeff, you say that you do not know "Yours Alone" which is quite odd, as it is track 4 on disc one of The "Rare Monro", which you say has been your no.1 album for the past four months

jon · Post by **jon** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:25 am

You are all probably right; it is about time I had a photo up (Michele in fact recently emailed me to ask the same). There's nothing sinister in it though; it's just that I don't have a home computer at the moment as I was burgled a little while back and have resisted getting another one for the moment, so I make my postings from work, where it's not possible to do this. However I will see if I can get a friend to do it for me shortly. You have been warned!!

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:40 am

We look forward to putting a face to the name Jon.

Marian

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:10 pm

Whilst driving this weekend, I listened to The Rare Monro. This time I started on disc 1, track 1. When I got to track 4 I realised this could be the "Yours Alone" that Ed had mentioned. I had always thought the title was "Yours And Yours Alone". So at a stoplight, I looked at the track listing and saw it was "Yours Alone". I immediately thought, "I'm going to hear about this from Robert". And true to form, Robert didn't disappoint!

I love Yours Alone. It starts with a country intro, but it turns into classic Matt Monro. I love where he doesn't seem to take a breath across three phrases. I try to do the same thing whilst singing-along and I can't!

Yes, The Rare Monro is still the number 1 album on my album chart. April will be the fifth month at number 1. I'm not sure what will overtake it, perhaps the new album from Mark Ronson (released today, be sure to go to the stores and get it), but I need to hear more of the tracks. And Coldplay are supposed to have an album out later in the year, which will be a sure shot for number 1.

Keep in mind Robert, that just because an album is number 1 on my chart, it doesn't mean that I know every song on it. I've only listened to the first couple tracks on disc 1. And I have only listened to Theme From New York, New York and your favourite song a couple times. The joy is discovering the new material and really learning it well and then analysing the songs, vocal performance, and arrangements.

usafret · Post by **usafret** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:37 pm

HI PAUL , REGARDING YOUR REMARKS ABOUNT THE NUMBER OF SONGS PERFORMED BY MATT, I DID SOME MORE RESEARCH AND COME UP WITH THESE NEW FIGURES"
340 SONGS IN ENGLISH---- 46 IN SPANISH--I IN HEBREW (HAVA NAGUILA) AND 1 IN FRENCH (L'ETOILE DE SUD) (THE SOUTHERN STAR)

MIND YOU THIS COULD BE WAY OFF BUT THESE ARE THE SONGS I KNOW ABOUT AND I DO THINK IT IS A GOOD BALL PARK FIGURE.

IF ANYONE HAS A MORE ACCURATE NUMBER , PLEASE WRITE.
ED

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 1:11 am

Thanks for the information Ed. That sounds like a very accurate number. I'm impressed that Matt Monro recorded almost 400 songs in his career. I think I'm familiar with about 175. This is exciting: 200 more to discover!

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:44 pm

Another recording that is rarely discussed in the forum is Ebb Tide. It is so lovely with the strings and Matt's perfect phrasing, emotion, and ability to hit all the high notes. I believe it's on that excellent collection Through The Years, which EMI needs to re-issue. It is such a great group of songs.

Michele Monro · Post by **Michele Monro** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 6:15 pm

If anyone is interested you can always go to the Definitive Track List and count them up!!!!!

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:21 pm

I agree Paul, Matt's 'Ebb Tide' is wonderful.
The version I was most familiar with in my youth was by 'The Righteous Brothers', simply because it charted over here (in '65 I think).

Gray

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:45 pm

Ebb Tide is a superb recording of Matt's.
Frank Chacksfield's recording was probably the best instrumental version, recorded in the same year that it was written.
The worst must have been Jerry Colonna's.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:02 pm

I don't think I've ever heard the Righteous Brothers version of Ebb Tide. I had only heard Frank Sinatra's vocal and Frank Chacksfield's lovely instrumental (with the birds and waves)---before I heard Matt Monro's, which became my favourite version.

john · Post by **john** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:06 pm

Malcolm Roberts also sang Ebb Tide as well, this was quite a nice version as well.

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:40 am

I've been listening quite a lot recently to 'Pretty Polly', this song has grown and grown and grown on me, such a heartfelt performance from matt on this track.
I think it's quite beautiful.

Matt Monro Forum

Excellent Matt Monro recording rarely mentioned in the forum

348: An impressive number of recordings!

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