Customer Reviews

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Considering that Matt is largely forgotten these days, and is not around to remind people of his brilliance, quite a lot of his music is available on CD (at least in the UK) including a bewildering array of compilations. This one contains all the essentials.

Matt was Britain's best balladeer of the sixties. He had five UK top ten hits, these being Portrait of my love, My kind of girl, Softly as I leave you, Walk away and Yesterday. The Beatles' own version of Yesterday was not released as a UK single at the time although it was released in the USA (where it topped the charts) and eventually got a UK release in the mid-seventies. So Matt's version competed with several others but the only other one to chart was by Marianne Faithfull. Matt recorded several other Beatles songs, of which Michelle is included in this set.

Although it was only a comparatively modest hit (just making the UK top twenty), Matt's most famous recording is probably From Russia with love, a James Bond theme song. He recorded plenty of stage and screen songs during his career and on this collection you will find Matt's versions of Born free (from Born free), On days like these (from The Italian job), Speak softly love (from The Godfather), Somewhere (from West side story) and Gonna build a mountain (from Stop the world and let me off), the last-named providing another minor UK hit for Matt.

Several minor hits are missing although two others are included, these being For Mama and My love and devotion. So this is not a definitive collection but it contains all his big hits and everything else that casual buyers need. Matt only had limited success in America but, in any case, this compilation was created for British buyers. It is available as an import so that expatriate Brits who remember Matt can buy it.

If you enjoy the music of Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, it is likely that you will also enjoy listening to Matt Monro. This CD provides a good sampling of his music. Do not be surprised if, once you've played it a few times, you end up buying more of his music.

I bought this CD for one song, "Somewhere". The "West Side Story" version of this song never did it justice. Matt's performance of Somewhere and the musical arrangement are simply AWESOME! Matt does a great job on the other songs as well.

I THOUGHT I knew all my vocalists, but his voice is up there with the greats -- Frank, Tony, Sammy, Dean.

Why he's such an unknown is a mystery to me.

Matt Monro deserves much more recognition that he receives in our times. Matt could take a song and make it his own through his exquisite and sensitive renditions that always reflected sensitivity and good judgment. This CD proves it.

The CD track set starts with one of Matt's best, "Born Free." Matt's voice is rich, warm and full of masculine sensitivity. Matt sings "Born Free" to perfection with a great musical arrangement conducted by John Barry. Another track that stands out very nicely is "From Russia With Love" from the film of the same name. Matt croons this to perfection; the musical arrangement makes great use of the strings and percussion, too.

"Around The World" features an electric musical arrangement conducted by the great Buddy Bregman; and Matt sings this with a special enthusiasm that more than equals the stunning quality of the music. Great!

Other gems on this CD include Matt's cover of "Michelle," a Beatles love ballad; Matt sings this in both English and French with a panache all his own. "Somewhere" from the film West Side Story offers Matt another opportunity to sing beautifully of a special place where he can be alone with his one true love; and "The Impossible Dream" features Matt singing at his best with another strikingly beautiful musical arrangement conducted by Sid Feller. The musical arrangement uses the strings and piano to enhance the beauty of this number, too. My mother always loved this ballad--she had good taste!

"Portrait Of My Love" is truly a Matt Monro signature song; nobody could ever sing "Born Free" as well as Matt does. The strings enhance the beauty of this number; and "Portrait Of My Love" gets the royal treatment from Matt as he sings this with such a singular beauty that you would swear you were hearing it for the very first time even if you weren't. Matt truly makes "Portrait Of My Love" his own with an indelible stamp. In addition, Matt delivers "Speak Softly Love," the theme from The Godfather, with a style all his own once again. It's enough to make a young woman swoon!

The CD ends with the peppy "We're Gonna Change The World." This song allows Matt to sing of a youthful optimism we all experience when we are young and we truly DO want to change the world. Matt sings of this universal human experience in such a positive way that leaves you wanting more just as Matt's audiences always wanted more.

The liner notes feature an essay about Matt by Gerald Mahlowe that is peppered with typographical errors; and you get the song credits as well. The picture of Matt on the front cover shows good judgment.

Matt Monro remains one of the greatest crooners of the entire twentieth century. Matt deserves more recognition than he gets; but it's not too late to change this. I highly recommend this CD for anyone who enjoys classic pop vocals; and persons who want to hear a truly great male singer will love this CD, too.

Enjoy!!!

There is a new "remember when" CD/DVD being released July 13 which will feature Matt Monro, Shirley Bassey, and Demis Roussos. 6 Matt Monro songs never before on CD are included in this package. (...)

I bought this cd for one song only.ON DAYS LIKE THESE. If you hear it, it is impossible not to love it. Simply beautiful.

This CD brought back many good memories of the "day", when love songs meant something and feelings were important. It allowed me to really appreciate the sounds of a singer,and lyrics of a songwriter.

This will take you "back to the day". His voice on this CD is just as crisp as ever! You'll love it!

"From Russia With Love" is the most famous his hit song in Japan. I Also like this song very much. His singing voice has a taste and seems to be Sinatra.

The gentle passage of the musical score and the natural engagment of Matt Munro's with the musical score is a past joy revisted whenever played.