What's In Your CD Player/iPod/MP3/Computer/Hi Fi, Right Now?

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 11:25 am

Among many others, Jonny Mathis has recorded this song--a great version. But then again , all the music from "Kismet" is rather special--it is sad that we do not hear more of it.

I have an idea that it was originally sang over here, by a singer called Don Cornell--not heard of these days--and again, maybe my memory is playing tricks on me

Marian

jon · Post by **jon** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 2:44 pm

I was wondering if anyone has the soundtrack of "Kismet", which I think contained singers like Vic Damone and Howard Keel, from the film version. Is this worth getting?

I've seen a track listing for Johnny Mathis' forthcoming 50th Anniversary CD album and it doesn't look too promising: mainly the old "chestnuts" and one or two of the religious numbers from his album of spirituals, which is already on CD release. I'm a great fan but I really do wish they would release more of his original albums on CD; he was one of the most prolific singers of the last 50 years and the range of his material in the shops is woefully small.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 2:56 pm

Hi Jon--I second that!!!

I once had a cd of "Kismet" with Mandy Patinkin--but it seems to have gone and lost itself!! Same with the film with Howard Keel etc.

Marian

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 3:06 pm

Hi again Jon--where did you find the track listing for the 50th Anniversary collection by JM? I have been trying ages to find a listing,but I cannot track it down anywhere--I have found a listing for the 50th Christmas cd, but that is all!!

Marian

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:10 pm

Sorry Marian, to interrupt your question about JM. Just wanted to add a little more info about "Stranger in Paradise".
As we know, it is from the Broadway musical "Kismet" and was written by Robert Wright and George Forrest. It was based on a theme by Alexander Borodin in "Prince Igor".
Recorded by Tony Bennett in 1953.

Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:11 pm

Vic Damone starred with Ann Blyth in the film Kismet 1955 and sang Stranger in Paradise in a duet.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:29 pm

Jack Jones sings Stranger in Paradise in his present concert tours - just had to mention it!!

Marian

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:34 pm

Well Marian [1]---here is another strange thing---in the JM concerts last month, he sang a "Kismet" medley, that included---you've guessed it---"Stranger in Paradise". Just had to mention it, too.

Marian [2]

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 1:17 am

Well heres a funny thing, those two Marians (Maid and Old) are clogging up the message board at the moment. Just had to mention it

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 1:23 am

Forgot to mention I am listening to a Tony Martin CD I bought brand new a couple of years ago for Â£2.99. 21 great tracks including the original "You Stepped Out Of a Dream" from 1946's Zeigfeld Girl. Unbelievable value especially as the CD contains two duets with FRANCES LANGFORD

jon · Post by **jon** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:37 am

I think I may have mentioned this before, but the English National Opera are doing a production of "Kismet" in London next year (June/July, I think) starring Michael Ball. This is apparently the first stage production of the work in London in 30 years. I may well attend.

jon · Post by **jon** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 4:55 pm

For Mariana44 and any others interested:

I found the track listing for Johnny Mathis's forthcoming 50th Anniversary album on the Barnes and Noble website. The address is www.bn.com. Once in, select "music" from the menu on the left hand side of the page and then type in 'johnny mathis' in the search field. When you are in the relevant page, click on the blue coloured selection indicating the 50th Anniversary album for details.

As I said earlier, it seems to be a totally unimaginative selection of tracks to cover his 50 years in the businesss, most of them being the usual songs they always release, and they have even included the recording of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with Ray Charles, which is already available. Though it pains me to say it, I really don't know they've bothered.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 5:04 pm

Hi Jon--thanks for that--as you say most are very predictable. Just 2 new tracks that I can see "So many stars" and the duet "Shadow of your smile"
As it is over 2 years since his last cd studio release, then I guess 2 new tracks are well overdue.!!

Marian

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:42 pm

Going back a few postings, I can understand that Jerry Vale has a slightly hard edge to his voice, but it's not as annoying as Eddie Fisher, who has a very shrill sound. I don't understand how he ever became popular. I can only listen to Oh My Papa. I Need You Now is one of his recordings that I dislike the most.

Now onto Stranger In Paradise: Actually I never liked Stranger In Paradise until I heard Matt Monro's version. The song's intervals are jarring to my ears, but Matt Monro handles them perfectly and makes the song so pleasant.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:07 pm

Hi Paul--Eddie Fisher was in the film "Bundle of joy" with his -then-wife Debbie Reynolds--I loved that film--it had some great songs in it--and Eddie and Debbie sang really well. Unfortunately it was not that popular--never seen it on video or dvd--but I copied it from TV ages ago.

I also had an LP of Eddies called "Academy Award Winners", which was also really good--it is now on part of a double cd. My favourite song of his was "Cindy Oh Cindy"--going back a long time--but I have not seen it on any recording of his as yet.

And "Stranger in Paradise" is a beautiful song--at one time it was over recorded and overplayed, but not heard quite so much these days.

Marian