Longest Held Note

[Rmoore]

Just because i'm trained doesn't mean i'm any good!

It's not something I do much of these days Marian, but I started off with singing lessons about age 8 with an ex sadlers wells singer then as a Chorister at Hereford Cathedral (this is quite intensive training in it's self 8 services a week with different music at each, rehearsals morning and evening for 3 & 1/2 years!) and I continued my singing right up to my 20's.

However I don't consider myself the worlds greatest talent! But it does help me work with singers in the studio.

My singing these days is limited to backing vocals and the occasional gig with an old friend of mine (we do Flanders & Swann, Paddy Roberts, Tom Lerher, Jake Thackray etc - plus a few of our own bits and pieces, just daft stuff) But not very often!

I wouldn't even put myself in the same continent as Matt vocally! Nowhere close!

Richard

[paul jh]

The majestic 'Hello Young Lovers' is an incredible 18 seconds.

My count was 14 seconds. You may be including the approach. But even with the approach it's only 16 seconds.

This morning I determined that he holds the last note in Time After Time for 19 seconds. (Not 26 as I had thought, but still a long time.)

[Marian]

Maybe we can press you into singing at our next Matt get together Richard.
With all that training I'm sure you must be better than you say you are.
At least you can understand what being a singer is all about.
Marian

[ROBERT M.]

Thanks Jeff, for confirming it is 19 seonds

[David Durrett]

Are we counting that he breathes before the last note ("you") in "Time After Time" and includes "of my" in the same breath as "own" in "Young Lovers"?

One thing I always loved about how Matt ended songs is that he rarely separated the last note or word from the preceding ones at the end of a song, and when he did (as in "Time After Time") it was only for effect, not so he could take a new breath to impress the listener with the length of the final note. When other singers do this it really bothers me...

[jon]

Interesting thread, this. Matt has displayed his vocal prowess on many recordings but I'm sure Johnny Mathis has equalled and outdone him on many occasions. Long held notes include: "If" (25 seconds), "We're All Alone" (20 seconds) and "Speak Softly Love" (20 seconds). There are many others.

[mariana44]

Also "Maria"--especially during a live concert.

[jon]

Of course, Marian; I knew you'd be able to add out the list. There are many examples, of course, perhaps too many to mention.

[ROBERT M.]

Doesn't Johnny Mathis sing most of his final notes with a more high pitched and lighter sounding voice, which means he would be able to hold his final note for quite a long while...................whereas Matt usually ends most of his songs with a more powerful sounding long final note

[testarossaguy]

what about the song "a time for love"....

Matt goes from one line to another....seamlessly....without breathing! I'm not a musical expert, but I do appreciate the art of knowing when to breath and how to incorporate it into a live performance. Matt is "BEYOND" talented or skilled, he exceeds teachings...he's just incredible. To be so smooth, so elegant, so "effortless" in the transition is just astonishing!

You have to really wake our ears up....but once you do...you'll be amazed.

[jon]

Not at all, Robert. JM has a higher voice than Matt (he's a tenor) but also has (or perhaps had) a powerful voice as well, exhibited on many recordings but not necessarily his more well known ones.

[ROBERT M.]

Matts final note of My Love and Devotion is 15 seconds

[GregT]

As Sinatra said.."he (Matt) has a good set of pipes"
What an understatement...what a legend.!!