Simple Song

Matt Bogart

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 22, 2002)
• Original Release Date: September 3, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Jay Records
• ASIN: B00006HIAA
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #238,677 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. New America (from JFK)

2. Her Face (from Carnival)

3. Proud Lady (from The Baker's Wife)

4. Simple Song (from Bernstein's Mass)

5. If You Still Love Me (from Martin Guerre with Daniel Bogart)

6. Crazy Little Thing Called Love (from We Will Rock You)

7. Being Alive (from Company)

8. Why God, Why? (from Miss Saigon)

9. I Don't Hear the Ocean (from Marie Christine)

10. Written in the Stars (from Aida with LaChanze)

11. Tell My Father (from The Civil War)

12. Soliloquy (from Carousel)

13. Elaborate Lives (from Aida with LaChanze)

14. Ruby Baby (from Smokey Joe's Cafi)

15. I Could Write a Book (from Pal Joey with Jessica Boevers)

16. Everybody Says Don't (from Anyone Can Whistle)

17. Rain Song (from 110 in the Shade)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Matt Bogart shines!, December 10, 2003

By	Thomas W. Altizer (Arlington, VA, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

While neither "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" nor "Ruby Baby" are enhancements to this CD, the balance of the program is pure pleasure. The title selection, from Bernstein's "Mass" is worth the price of the album. I had the recent pleasure of seeing Mr. Bogart appear in the role of Lancelot in Molly Smith's wonderful production of "Camelot" at Arena Stage in Washington. This exposure lead me to find this CD, and I am very glad I did. He tackles some standards as well as some lesser known Broadway tunes and makes each one of them his own. If you are a fan of theatrical singing, you will find Matt Bogart keeping up with Brent Barrett and others of today's stars. Buy this CD. Encourage record companies to continue making such releases available. And by the way, Matt, skip the faux rock and roll next time out.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From the Heartland to Our Hearts, December 31, 2002

By	"like-it-is" (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews

With smoldering good looks and a deep beautiful baritone Matt Bogart is taking the theatre world by storm. This middle-America boy should soon be the toast of broadway. His debut CD, Simple Song, an eclectic compilation of songs from the Great White Way is a strong addition to any music collection - you don't even have to like show-tunes. If you like solid singing without over-embellishment you wont be disappointed.

I've had the opportunity to watch Mr. Bogart live on stage; both as a leading man and a supporting player. The Washington D.C. area still remembers his triumphant turn in "Side Show" at Signature Theatre (why no songs from "Side Show" Matt?). In this album, Mr. Bogart brings the intensity he takes to the stage directly into your living room, car, or wherever you have a portable CD player.

Notable tracks include "I Could Write a Book" from "Pal Joey," "Rain Song" from "110 in the Shade," and "Tell My Father" from "The Civil War." If you think you've heard "I Could Write a Book" before, you must listen to Bogart's track. He takes the song at a slightly-faster tempo than normal bringing life into the old jewel while at the same time delivering a flawless Chicago accent. In short, the number swings.

Bogart also delivers in "Tell My Father," from the short-lived musical "The Civil War." In this track, Bogart will bring you to tears as he embodies the soul of a Civil War soldier voicing a dying wish. Bogart sings the song simply, with great tenderness. If you're having problems with your own father the song may even inspire you to pick up the phone and give him a call.

The album does have a weak spot in that the two duets from "AIDA" are not up to the level of Bogart's other recordings. Bogart and LaChanze seem unable to find their stride together and sometimes the recording feels like they are each singing two different songs at the same time. LaChanze's delivery on both numbers is at best mechanical - at worse, she embellishes songs that should remain simply delivered. LaChanze's embellishments do not mesh with Bogart's simple, elegant style. Skip these tracks. The other 15 tracks more than make up for these two.

This CD is a must buy. Keep it in your car and listen to it again and again. Each time you listen to it, you'll discover another treasurer. You wont be disappointed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Success couldn't come to a sweeter man!!, July 15, 2003

By	Katieswaz (Columbia, MO USA) - See all my reviews

I have been a fan of Matt's ever since I saw him in Aida. My disappointment of not seeing principle, Adam Pascal was short lived. This Ohio native truly knocked my socks off that night. I immediately ordered Simple Song. I would love to hear more of JFK after hearing Matt's A New America. I'm so glad he has chosen the songs he is known for, Why, God Why?, Soliquoy, the Aida duets, Tell My Father, and Ruby Baby!! They conjure so many pictures. But songs that blew me away was Proud Lady and If You Still Love Me?(a duet with brother, Dan). Since then I have seen him in Camelot...he can sing If Ever I Would Leave You. Robert Goulet move over here's the new Lancelot. And his Curly is to die for. I never knew Oklahoma! was a fan participation musical. But a few of the audience were whispering responses back to questions like "Handsome ain't I?" This CD is all I thought it would be and much more. If you are a fan of Matt's and/or Simple Song. Run and buy More Simple Songs. Here you will hear If Ever I would Leave You and Oh What Beautiful Morning, Much more.