MY WIFE AND I SAW JOHNNY MATHIS IN CONCERT SEVERAL TIMES THROUGH THE YEARS,
AND HE WAS MAGNIFICENT...ALWAYS HAD AN EXCELLENT ORCHESTRA (WITH STRINGS)
AS HIS ACCOMPANIMENT (WHICH IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST FOR BALLAD VOCALISTS).
HIS CONTEMPORARY RECORDINGS AREN'T AS WELL DONE AS THE 'OLDIES'...BUT HE
STILL HAS THAT GREAT VOICE!!

This is a terrific CD. I bought it for "Brazil" and found many other great songs with wonderful sound.

The Essential Johnny Mathis is a splendid two CD set that is an absolute must have for fans of the great Johnny Mathis. The sound quality is excellent and I like the artwork.

"Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)" starts the first CD with Johnny crooning just as well as any crooner ever could! The arrangement highlights Johnny's vocals and this suits me just fine. Johnny handles this tune with sophistication. "When Sunny Gets Blue" features Johnny with a lush musical arrangement; his voice is as smooth as silk. "It's Not For Me To Say" is a Johnny Mathis classic; he aces this number and it's gorgeous to hear! "Wonderful! Wonderful!" stuns me with its beauty; and listen also for "Chances Are." "Chances Are" is a rather romantic number that features Johnny front and center; it's beautiful when he delivers this so flawlessly.

"A Certain Smile" again features Johnny's excellent vocal talents and the arrangement makes good use of the strings; and there's also "Misty." "Misty" is easily worth the price of this CD set alone; I love every minute of it! "What Will My Mary Say" is another huge hit for Johnny Mathis; he bats this one straight out of the ballpark! Awesome!

The first CD ends with Johnny singing "The Look Of Love." Johnny never sings a superfluous note and this really impresses me.

The second CD continues the hits. "I'm Coming Hone" is a fantastic tune and Johnny sings this with panache, heart and soul. "What I Did For Love," a song from A Chorus Song, showcases Johnny's vocal talents as he sings this with great sensitivity. "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" is a beautiful duet between Johnny and Deniece Williams; their voices complement each other perfectly and I love it!

"Begin The Beguine" is a particularly fine number and it shines like gold when Johnny sings it; and listen for Johnny on "What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life?" This ballad was always one of my very favorite love songs; and Johnny delivers this like the pro he was and remains! "Because You Loved Me" is also a number I really like. Great!

"Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries" may not be the newest song on this two CD set; but Johnny makes it sound fresh and new as he sings this with a lot of style! The second CD ends with Johnny performing "On Broadway." Johnny covers this song with a somewhat jazzy arrangement and the backup singers bolster Johnny's exquisite delivery of this ballad.

Overall, this two CD set is guaranteed to make Johnny Mathis fans smile! This is also a wonderful package for those of us who enjoy classic pop vocals and even a few of the "oldies."

Thank you, Johnny!

The emotion Johnny Mathis exudes when he sings takes my breath away...he is a gift to music...

This is a great start to exploring the beauty of the velvet voiced wonder. Highly recommended compilation of one of the truly great singer-stylists of the century, Mr. Johnny Mathis. Experience the legend of a remarkable vocalist!