Rarest Matt

[Chris Kelly]

I was wondering what the rarest/scarcest Matt record were in EP, Single, Album, 78 format. Any Mattophiles out there in the know?

[mariana44]

John knows a lot about this sort of thing-and probably Richard too.

[keithgood838]

Hi Chris
A candidate for that dubious honour is, as far as I am
concerned, a song Matt recorded entitled, The Story of Ireland.
Having unbreakable bonds with the ould country, I would
love to hear it. To borrow your aptly original adjective, Chris,
if any eagle-eyed Mattophile reading this can find this rare
Monro gem for me, they will have my eternal gratitude.
Keith

[Marian]

I actually bought a copy of this on a 78 Keith, but unfortunately it got cracked in the post, right across the centre. It does play, but is very fragile.
Marian

[Chris Kelly]

Keith, "Mattophile" - have I started something here do you think? Maybe I should patent it.

[john]

I would say that the 78's are the scarcest about, plus the very early decca and fontana 45's. Perhaps also the "Blue and Sentimental" 10" lp. This has a different cover to the 12" one.

[mariana44]

I thought I had a recording of that somewhere, but I think I may be mistaken, as I cannot even see it in the track listing section---was it ever recorded on a cd or Lp?? It just seems familiar.

[Marian]

I couldn't find it listed on The Definitive Track list either Marian, and on the Discography it is listed as a 45 but not a 78.
Apparently is was released in both.
Marian

[Rmoore]

All the Fontana singles are quite rare in both 78 & 45 formats (one never even made it to 45) The Decca material is also quite rare - this is simply because they did not sell in enormous quantities.

So far no Fontana material has been reissued since 1969 when the Matt Monro/Tony Blackburn album appeared.

These are not the rarest releases though. The clear winner for this is .......

Strange Lady In Town

Recorded for the obscure Solitaire label with the Harry Leader orchestra in 1955.

I have uncovered quite a bit more information about this session and where it was released (not just the USA as originally thought) but you'll have to wait for Michele's book for that!

A copy of this recording did sneak out on a cassette in the 1980's but the original release is INCREDIBLY rare.

Michele and I have never seen an original copy, but we know where one is, but only one.

[keithgood838]

Hi Chris
'Monromaniacs' as dreamed up by Robert, was the best
previous epithet for Monro fans. I haven't been able to
come up with one at all. Maybe we should have a little
competition to find the term that best describes our devotion
to Matt's music.
Marian, my dear, while I am resigned to the unpalatable
fact of never hearing the melody, is there any possibility
that you could post the lyric of The Story of Ireland?
It would be compensatory at least to discover its theme.
Keith

[usafret]

HELLO KEITH, I HAVE A COPY OF THAT RECORDING
CONTACT ME AT:
edharr@comcast.net
BEST
ED

[usafret]

HELLO RICHARD, OUT OF CURIOSITY, WHO DOES HAVE THAM GEM?
THNAKS
ED

[Marian]

Keith, it looks like you might have found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with Ed's kind offer.
If you go to Songbook on the home page then click on English, you will get a list of Matt's songs with the words. A Story of Ireland is there, it is under 'Story of Ireland.'
Marian

[Rmoore]

Sorry Ed, it's in private hands and i'm not at liberty to say who's

Richard

[ROBERT M.]

It's not in our johns hands is it ??