Live [Live]

Johnny Mathis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025VA
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,543 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No one sings as well as Johnny "Live", June 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Live (Audio CD)

"Johnny Mathis Live" is truly my favorite Mathis album. Any fan who has gone to a live Mathis concert can understand when I state that Johnny Mathis sounds better live than on any of his recordings - the arrangements at a live concert are tremendous and support his voice to maximum effect. My personal favorite on this CD is "99 Miles from L.A.". This version moves me to tears every time I hear it. Johnny infuses the song with emotion and longing. Of course, the live version of "The Twelth of Never" is a hundred times better than the original recording. This version features Mathis backed by a guitar and its simplicity makes for a sublime experience. This CD brings the concert experience into your home - you won't be disappointed!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Performance, but not the best of the live recordings., February 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Live (Audio CD)

To experience Mathis in top form, backed by top-notch arrangements performed by a top-notch orchestra, is something I've experienced five times since "discovering" him in 1984. It's something not easily captured on record. "Johnny Mathis Live" is a good representation of a Johnny Mathis concert...it's not the best I've ever heard, though.

That honor goes to the only other Mathis live recording from 1972, which is, sadly, long since out-of-print, called "Johnny Mathis In Person, recorded live in Las Vegas". If I may sing the praises of D'Arneil Pershing and Roy Rogosin, they did the best job of backing Mathis' stellar vocal performance with their imaginative arranging and conducting skills.

This recording, from a concert in Great Britain, falls short in terms of excitement level for me. Unlike its predecessor, this recording was turned into a kind of "Johnny's Greatest Hits Live" and tries to give the feel of a show in ten songs. Can't be done, folks. It should have been another double album like its predecessor, and the "greatest hits" should have been greatly condensed...just like they are in concert.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Johnny Mathis Live - Great Live Version of his Hits, June 25, 2006

By 

MA Reviewer "MAR" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live (Audio CD)

I truly enjoy live albums, sometimes more than studio albums since you're really getting the artist in the raw, with no help from studio assistance, over-dubbing, etc. Artists who can represent their studio work in a live setting and sound as good or better live defintely earn my respect.

Johnny Mathis is without a doubt one of the best examples of this type of performer. Consistency is an understatment with regards to Johnny's delivery. It always sounds effortless for him which speaks to his vocal prowess, experience and comfort with the material.

Having seen Johnny Mathis perform live several times, I can tell you that even today, he still sounds as smooth and silky as he does in this 1984 recording.

I am in love with his version of Begin the Beguine on this cd. It is truly the highlight of the CD for me. The orchestration is upbeat and Johhny just belts it out. The key change mid-way through the songs takes place as Johnny holds a fantastic note while the orchestra chromatically climbs the scale behind him. It sends chills up my spine.

Johnny's version of Memory on this CD is memorable as well as his version of Didn't We. Also included are many of Johnny's other hits perfectly executed such as 99 Miles From LA, Fly Away, Misty, Chances Are, The Twelfth of Never, etc.

If you own some of Johhny'd other Cd's, then the version of Begin the Beguine on this CD is definitely a reason to buy it as I don't think this version is on his CD box set, A Personal Collection.