The Late Late Show - Superb

[Gray]

Ok Everyone, here are my ratings...

If She Should Come To You 8/10
When I Fall In Love 7/10
Maria 8/10
Hello Young Lovers 10/10
September Song 9/10
Time After Time 10/10
This Is All I Ask 9/10
I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face 10/10
Days of Wine and Roses 7/10
The Shadow of Your Smile 8/10 - (10 for Matt's rendition, though i find it hard to lose myself in the arrangement)
Autumn Leaves 8/10
The Party's Over 8/10

I welcome any comments!

Gray

[ROBERT M.]

I thought you might give "Hello Young Lovers" 10 out of 10 Gray "When I Fall In Love" has been bottom rated or joint bottom rated by everyone so far.

[paul jh]

Yes, I noticed that about When I Fall In Love. Could it be that everyone in the world has recorded that song and we are getting tired of it?

I don't understand Gray's comment about the arrangement of The Shadow Of Your Smile. I don't even remember much about the arrangement except it features strings. All I know is that Matt Monro's vocals carry the arrangement for a "10+" performance.

[Gray]

Hi Paul

I like to lose myself in songs, unfortuately I am unable to do this on 'Shadow of Your Smile', the arrangement is to 'fragmented' for my taste.
Hmm, I'm not helping myself much am I?
That explanation is as clear as mud.

Sorry Paul!

[paul jh]

I listened to These Years and The Late Late Show albums yesterday. It was a chilly, windy afternoon and evening. Matt Monro's incomparable voice on these songs made me feel so warm inside---just like a cup of tea. These albums are superb.

[ROBERT M.]

I completely agree with you Jeff

[Gray]

I've been listening to 'Time After Time' on my i-pod today and it really is a fantastic song.
The strings seem to cry out in support of Matt's magnificent vocals, all pleading and yearning.
And Matt's magnificent control is never more evident than on this song, as he is able to soar from the smallest of heartfelt phrasing to the big power notes.
Never once does Matt strain, never once does lose an ounce of feeling.
It is simply breathtaking.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

It is a fantastic song from Sammy Cahn and Julie Styne, the best recording ever of that song Gray. No one sings it quite like Matt .

[mariana44]

"Time after Time" is one of the best songs--whoever sings it sounds great---unfortunately Matt does not sing the verse, so I always think there is something missing---apart from that---a lovely version

[paul jh]

I wanted my 2000th post to be something else related to Matt Monro, but I just haven't had time to do it. Since I already have a 2001 and 2002 post in mind, I thought I take the time to write again about this stunning and special album.

A few weeks ago I listened once again to Matt Monro in the Late Late Show. No particular reason, I just had to. Or maybe it was a cold rainy day, and I need to feel Matt Monro's voice. I've posted my song ratings earlier so I won't go into them again except to say that even Maria and Days of Wine and Roses are getting warmer with me.

This album is a masterpiece, a work of art. But while listening to it again, I got really frustrated, even mad. Why isn't this stroke of genius recognised as one of the greatest albums of all time? It should be on every critic's list -- included with the likes of Dusty in Memphis, Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely, Revolver, Dark Side of the Moon, Kind of Blue, Tapestry, Parachutes, and so on. Matt Monro in the Late Late Show needs to be on every one of these lists. It is an amazing album, something to cherish for a lifetime.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

We agree Paul "The Late Late Show" is a very special album, and to know that you have chosen this one to be related to your 2000 postings, makes it extra special for you.

[Marian]

We agree too Paul, a masterpiece in music.

Marian and Peter.

[thomas]

Funny, I listened to this cd the other night and I echo Paul's sentiments. In fact, he has taken the words from my mouth. I think this is Matt's 'par de excellence!'. It should be mentioned in the same breath as those already spoken. From 'if she should come to you' to 'autum leaves' its a work of beauty. I would struggle to rate any of it below 10! I too think it's one of the greatest albums of all time!!