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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There has been a lot of anticipation about this release. It has been a long time in the making and has been a labour of love for Michele Monro.
I am happy to report that this is one of the most exciting releases I have heard for a very long time. We were promised a bunmper package of mnuch sought after material - and Ms Monro has delivered: and then some.
There are so many highlights in evidence here. Most of the 70s ballads that make up the first CD are distinguished (as we have come to expect) with wonderful arrangements and superb production values. It is literally a case of one delicious surprise after another.
If CD1 finds Monro in reflective mood ('I've So Much To Be Thankful For' is particularly outstanding) the restored material form CD2 is an undiluted joy from start to finish. And should ever anyone need convincing of Monro's instinctive gift for swing there is ample evidence of it here. Again, it would be disingenuous to nominate just one track, but the Monro/Riddle treatment of 'Strike Up The Band' showcases Monro at his finger-snappin' best: it is full of the brio, wit and an urban chic that some had previously regarded as being the sole preserve of the Hoboken baritone.
Of course, what is audible throughout this whopping package (56 tracks in all) is a singer of immense gifts. On the ballads the unaffected warmth of Matt's interpretations are also masterclasses in how to treat a lyric with tact, intelligence and impeccable taste. On the swingers, he shows how he could play around the beat in ways that eclipse the efforts of some of his more celebrated American peers. This package reaffirms what most discerning listeners have known for years: that Matt Monro was a singer of genius.
Although I recommend that every track be savoured, I would especially draw Monrophiles to the following: 'All Of A Sudden' (the English version of 'Todo Passara'), 'Let Me Choise Life', 'Love Song' (some beautiful signature modulations), 'I've So Much To Be Thankful For' (a wistful and haunting ballad that really deserved to be included in the pantheon of Matt's superhits). I would reccomend all of the swingers from CD two.
As I say there are also unexpected surprises, such as a spinetingling rendition of an otherwise obscure ballad called 'During The Night.'
This is a record release of the very first rank and is another welcome addition to the catalogue of this towering performer. As the man said, we do, indeed, have so much to be thankful for
I am happy to report that this is one of the most exciting releases I have heard for a very long time. We were promised a bunmper package of mnuch sought after material - and Ms Monro has delivered: and then some.
There are so many highlights in evidence here. Most of the 70s ballads that make up the first CD are distinguished (as we have come to expect) with wonderful arrangements and superb production values. It is literally a case of one delicious surprise after another.
If CD1 finds Monro in reflective mood ('I've So Much To Be Thankful For' is particularly outstanding) the restored material form CD2 is an undiluted joy from start to finish. And should ever anyone need convincing of Monro's instinctive gift for swing there is ample evidence of it here. Again, it would be disingenuous to nominate just one track, but the Monro/Riddle treatment of 'Strike Up The Band' showcases Monro at his finger-snappin' best: it is full of the brio, wit and an urban chic that some had previously regarded as being the sole preserve of the Hoboken baritone.
Of course, what is audible throughout this whopping package (56 tracks in all) is a singer of immense gifts. On the ballads the unaffected warmth of Matt's interpretations are also masterclasses in how to treat a lyric with tact, intelligence and impeccable taste. On the swingers, he shows how he could play around the beat in ways that eclipse the efforts of some of his more celebrated American peers. This package reaffirms what most discerning listeners have known for years: that Matt Monro was a singer of genius.
Although I recommend that every track be savoured, I would especially draw Monrophiles to the following: 'All Of A Sudden' (the English version of 'Todo Passara'), 'Let Me Choise Life', 'Love Song' (some beautiful signature modulations), 'I've So Much To Be Thankful For' (a wistful and haunting ballad that really deserved to be included in the pantheon of Matt's superhits). I would reccomend all of the swingers from CD two.
As I say there are also unexpected surprises, such as a spinetingling rendition of an otherwise obscure ballad called 'During The Night.'
This is a record release of the very first rank and is another welcome addition to the catalogue of this towering performer. As the man said, we do, indeed, have so much to be thankful for
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I know that some rarities are rare for a good reason, not being up to the artist's usual standard, but that there are other rarities that deserve to be heard. I figured that if Matt's rarities weren't very good, it would be stupid to release a double CD filled with them. Furthermore, I looked at the track listing and although some of the song titles were familiar, I didn't recognize them as songs that Matt had recorded for the albums that I already owned, so I took a chance and I'm glad that I did.
Matt Monro recorded a lot of tracks during his career that were never released at the time, it being Matt's policy to record plenty of spares each time he went into the studio, so that somebody else could choose what to release. As a result, plenty of in-issued tracks accumulated in record company vaults. This compilation is the result of a lot of work, spread over five years, to identify all the material and to select some of it for release. From previous experience of buying rarities collections,
This compilation shows that Matt could swing as well as croon, as it contains some great up-tempo songs as well as plenty of the ballads that became his trademark. Based on recordings by other singers, the most famous songs here include Try to remember, New York New York, Taking a chance on love, Floral dance, Blue moon, Making whoopee, Day in day out, Strike up the band, Till, Birth of the blues, In the still of the night and Lulu's back in town. Even among those songs, there's quite a variety of material. There's also a Spanish version of Can't take my eyes off you. Covers of soundtrack songs such as Alone am I (from Tomorrow never comes) and When I look in your eyes (from Dr Doolittle) are also featured. Some tracks are brief while others are live recordings but the vast majority are full-length studio recordings.
The final track of the collection is a medley of commercial jingles, the last of which extols the wonder of Woolworth. Even Matt's talents couldn't prevent that business from going into a long period of decline, during which it slowly but steadily lost market share to various rivals. Perhaps the wonder of Woolworth is that it survived as long is it did, with the last British Woolworth stores closing in January 2009. Even then, the Dorchester store was bought by its local manageress and re-opened under a slightly different name as Wellworth. (Maybe their jingle could be based on the Billy Connolly song, If it wasn't for your wellies.)
There are many brilliant tracks here and, according to the liner notes, there are over a hundred tracks that had to be left out. So there's enough quantity for two more double albums, but what about the quality? This compilation doesn't represent a noticeable drop in quality from the regular releases, so although these tracks presumably represent the best of the hitherto un-issued tracks, I expect that there's at least enough decent tracks left to fill one more double CD.
Matt Monro recorded a lot of tracks during his career that were never released at the time, it being Matt's policy to record plenty of spares each time he went into the studio, so that somebody else could choose what to release. As a result, plenty of in-issued tracks accumulated in record company vaults. This compilation is the result of a lot of work, spread over five years, to identify all the material and to select some of it for release. From previous experience of buying rarities collections,
This compilation shows that Matt could swing as well as croon, as it contains some great up-tempo songs as well as plenty of the ballads that became his trademark. Based on recordings by other singers, the most famous songs here include Try to remember, New York New York, Taking a chance on love, Floral dance, Blue moon, Making whoopee, Day in day out, Strike up the band, Till, Birth of the blues, In the still of the night and Lulu's back in town. Even among those songs, there's quite a variety of material. There's also a Spanish version of Can't take my eyes off you. Covers of soundtrack songs such as Alone am I (from Tomorrow never comes) and When I look in your eyes (from Dr Doolittle) are also featured. Some tracks are brief while others are live recordings but the vast majority are full-length studio recordings.
The final track of the collection is a medley of commercial jingles, the last of which extols the wonder of Woolworth. Even Matt's talents couldn't prevent that business from going into a long period of decline, during which it slowly but steadily lost market share to various rivals. Perhaps the wonder of Woolworth is that it survived as long is it did, with the last British Woolworth stores closing in January 2009. Even then, the Dorchester store was bought by its local manageress and re-opened under a slightly different name as Wellworth. (Maybe their jingle could be based on the Billy Connolly song, If it wasn't for your wellies.)
There are many brilliant tracks here and, according to the liner notes, there are over a hundred tracks that had to be left out. So there's enough quantity for two more double albums, but what about the quality? This compilation doesn't represent a noticeable drop in quality from the regular releases, so although these tracks presumably represent the best of the hitherto un-issued tracks, I expect that there's at least enough decent tracks left to fill one more double CD.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's a mystery! Why are these tracks 'rare'? Why have I not heard these before? It's a crime!
Chock full of excellent songs, showcasing Matt's superb vocal skills.
If you love Matt - you WILL love this.
Chock full of excellent songs, showcasing Matt's superb vocal skills.
If you love Matt - you WILL love this.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Wonder of Woolies
What a fantastic compilation. Ofeten on "rare" and "Unreleased" compilations, the sound quality is poor. All of these unearthed gems are top quality. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. S. M. Connolly
A very rare Munro
I first heard about this CD on Brian Matthew`s Saturday radio show a few weeks ago. He said "If you are lucky enough to find it". Read more
Published 14 months ago by Nonna
Amazing
Just bought this collection as I thought it would be yet another compilation of the usual Monro recordings that are already available maybe just different takes, however I am glad... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Ants
Love it
I loved that the CD contains different songs from the other CD's and all with that special Matt Munro quality
Published on 6 April 2009 by L. C. Stephenson
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