Customer Reviews

Plays & Sings

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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Consider yourself lucky to find this, especially if you are only around 40 years old! Growing up in the musically eclectic Chicago during the 40s-50s gave some of us a head up on Matt Dennis, and many reasons to dig his style, which was definitely hip to the times...why, I was singing "Everything Happens to Me" at the age of six! It fit then and still does. The surprise is how well he holds up more than 50 years latter. In a lucky turnabout for fans and listeners, NPRs incomprable Terry Gross was recently being interviewed, talking abouŻ Matt Dennis, and giving his music airtime. It sure kicked off my quest for this recording...and what a reward it was. There was a time (pre-Amazonian, of course) that you couldn't even hope to find this record. Buy it and smile at your good fortune!

Consider yourself lucky to find this, especially if you are only around 40 years old! Growing up in the musically eclectic Chicago during the 40s-50s gave some of us a head up on Matt Dennis, and many reasons to dig his style, which was definitely hip to the times...why, I was singing "Everything Happens to Me" at the age of six! It fit then and still does. The surprise is how well he holds up more than 50 years latter. In a lucky turnabout for fans and listeners, NPRs incomprable Terry Gross was recently being interviewed, talking about Matt Dennis, and giving his music airtime. It sure kicked off my quest for this recording...and what a reward it was. There was a time (pre-Amazonian, of course) that you couldn't even hope to find this record. Buy it and smile at your good fortune!

Because he didn't write directly for Hollywood or Broadway, Matt Dennis never got the kind fo acclaim that Cy Coleman or Johnny Mercer did. But he composed some of the most beautiful songs ever written - several of which are on this cd. He also has a witty and charming voice. Every Matt Dennis cd is worth owning, but this one is the best.

Matt Dennis is the essence of hip, "tasty" and harmonic
elegance. His performance and Ginny's on this recording
shows off his compositions and the wonderful lyrics of T. Adair and others in a manner unmatched by even those giants such as
Sinatra who made several of the tunes well known, principally
"Angel Eyes".

Not to mention -- Matt swings mightily.

I envy those present at the Tally-Ho the night these were recorded!

This CD/album is an Import hence it's not one that is readily available/found. All songs are Matt Dennis original compositions. The entire CD/album was recorded "live" at The Tally Ho in Hollywood, CA. so it gives the listener an additional perspective of Mr. Dennis beyond his music. The CD/album has some of Mr. Dennis' well known songs as well as obscure tunes. I bought the CD/album for one song only and was very pleasantly surprised to be exposed to other Matt Dennis gems. It's a fun collection of compositions as well as beautiful. I highly recommend the CD/album to not only Matt Dennis fans but folks who are interested in "Standards" yet be be discovered.

Scot Albertson
[...]

Recorded in the Fifties at the now defunct Tally Ho in Hollywood, California, composer Matt Dennis plays and sings his wonderful compositions. In the background, we can hear the tinkling of high ball glasses and the "oohs" and "ahs" of pleasure at the talent of Mr. Dennis. Buy this delightful recording and you will find it's "Happy Hour" any time it's on your HiFi.

A LIVE-LIKE RECORDING CAPTURING WHAT IS WAS LIKE TO HEAR HIM LIVE! COVER SHOWS A "KAPP" LOGO, BUT WAS ORIGIONALLY ON A PRIVATE
LABLE THAT DENNIS PROBABLY SOLD IN PERSON. GREAT FUN!

This is a great CD from a singer/composer who was new to me. I had heard of some of his compositions, but just hadn't really heard of him. For anyone who likes Mel Torme, there is a reminiscent sound of his singing. At least that is the closest I can come. It is well worth trying to find some of his CDs if you like music that is easy to listen to and are the old great songs. He does a wonderful job on everything he sings, and he does his own accompanying on most of them. If you like the song "Angel Eyes" Matt Dennis is the composer. One of the best I think, and definitely has a place with the great ones of that era. You won't be sorry if you give him a try. It's worth looking around for his CDs.

i was lucky enough to see mr dennis live one night at a club in NYC. hearing him in person wqas one hell of a treat. this album creates the "live-ness" of the evening. GREAT! by the way...the label says KAPP, but the origional LP that i have was on a small indie lable...probably his own which he sold at club appearances. buy it and enjoy.