JOHNNY MATHIS

[Eman]

"MATHIS IS" is a collection of songs, by Thom Bell and Linda Creed--similar to "I'm coming home"---but it was nowhere near as popular, mainly because the songs are not as good.

THE HEART OF A WOMAN is one of my favourite LPs , and I am mystified as to why it has never been released on cd.

Mariana, it sounds like something I'd like. I looked it up and one of the tracks is called "Sweet Love Of Mine" Does the lyrics go something like this

Since you've been gone, my life has changed
But my love remain's the same
Though you belong to someone new.

So I'm lauging to keep my pride
And I'm holding it deep inside
You can never destroy this true,
Sweet Love Of MIne

If so that's one of my favourite songs by the Detroit Spinners from 1975. I bet Johnny's version is so much better since he has the smooth voice that could emote the heartache of the lyrics.

[mariana44]

Hi Eman--yes, those are the lyrics .

[karl]

Marian I just remembered Johnny's albums always had Jon Mat Records printed on the sleeve so he must own his recordings, seems like he's doing a Jack Jones and doing nothing with them.

Why own your own recordings and then do nothing to have them re-released on cd?

[mariana44]

JonMat was the name of the company, rather than JM himself.

[karl]

I know but what is Jon Mat short for?

[Marian]

JOHNNY MATHIS I should guess!

[Eman]

Mariana, Marian and Karl , yeah I think he started doing that in 1977, as that's when I first noticed that on the lps, maybe earlier, but I took note on that one. I was going through my Mom's lps and she doesn't have "Mathis Is" or "Heart of A Woman", so if I track those down, she may get those as a bonus gift..or if not and I find them a just cuz your're my Mom gift. She loves Johnny Mathis!! My Mom had a raised eyebrow this morning after Mass as I was playing the "I'm Coming Home" lp. I said gee Mom , I like that album, and she just shook her head in disbelief.

[mariana44]

Yes, Marian is right---JonMat comes from his name---as does Rojon, which is another company name. But it ius not actually him--just connected to him.

I think it may be quite difficult to track down Mathis is or Heart of a Woman--Ebay possibly---or you may have more secound hand record shops in US--many in the Uk have now vanished.

[mariana44]

Jon-I just checked out Amazon, because my friend told me that Play.com deliveries have been delayed---but the one that I specially wanted--Love is Everything //the unreleased Broadway is still £21.16.

[karl]

Marian I got mine from Deepdiscount one was $16+ and the other was $17+.

[mariana44]

Yes Karl, they are good prices--but how much is pp to Uk ?

[karl]

I am picking them up in the States, had them sent to friends address.

[Eman]

Mariana, I may have tracked down the "Mathis Is" lp in Los Angeles, so that's only an hour and a half drive from where I life. However I need to check out the condition. "Heart of A Woman", there is a store in Boston that says they may have it, so I will wait for their reply. Isn't it funny how things that were so common back then are hard to trace now. Hmmm, maybe for fun I may fly to Boston just to check out the album.. Nah!!! It may be too cold and wet there by now!!

[jon]

Hi Eman/Karl/Marian

I'm sure "You Light Up My Life" was a UK release as it did well in the album charts when it came out in 1978 - obviously the CD release would have been later than that, but I bought it in the UK shops; it wasn't an import. But is now not available commercially, I guess. As you say, this is the album with the red cover with Johnny reclining in a chair on the front and only the image of the chair on the back. I think it's vocally one of his best albums.

"The Heart of a Woman" was released in 1974 and had never been on CD; I agree there are some good songs on there, including the title track and "The Way We Planned It", a song I've not heard anywhere else before. "Mathis Is" is from 1977 and again has never been on CD (indeed the only copies I have of both albums are the copies Marian graciously sent me a while back) and consists of more Thom Bell and Linda Creed compositions; I tend to think of it as a companion album to "I'm Coming Home" from 1973 - similar in style. Other good 1970s JM albums are "You've Got A Friend" from 1971 and "Make It Easy On Yourself" from 1972, again neither of which has ever been on CD.

Hi Marian - I haven't received my re-release albums yet (perhaps they'll be there when I get home tonight; I'm always out at work when the post is delivered) but I saw the Broadway one in HMV in Oxford Street yesterday (no sign of the other one though) for GBP25.

[mariana44]

Eman, glad you tracked those Lps down so quickly. I am sure your mum will enjoy them--especially "Heart of a Woman" great recording, but totally ignored on the sairwaves--there are still a few "lost" lps about, apart from the ones that Jon mentioned, but I guess this happens with a lot of artistes.