Customer Reviews

Live

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"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!

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.

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.

There are so many great tracks on this CD, but if only for "A Certain Smile", you should buy it...this track alone is worth it.

I have been listening to and loving the music of Johnny Mathis since I was a teenager (I'm 52 now), and have 15 or so of his albums. I've started duplicating my extensive LP collection with CDs, and bought JOHNNY MATHIS LIVE as part of a 3-CD set (which also included two of his finest albums, HEAVENLY and JOHNNNY'S GREATEST HITS). I don't understand the two other glowing reviews of this CD. The liner notes say this CD was recorded from a live concert in England in 1984. I know it is more of a 'band' than an 'orchestra' that is backing him on this, but most of the music sounds like a synthesizer on a second-rate karaoke tape. Johnny's voice is still good, but he sounds a little bored and like he's rushing through some of this stuff. He probably IS tired of singing some of his standards that he has performed for decades. Unfortunately, the overall feeling I got on this CD is that it was a quick gig for the money. I hope he got some of it; it sure didn't go for musicians. Mathis lovers steer clear.