Amazon.com Customer Reviews
Johnny, where have you been? - Review written on May 31, 2008
Rating: 5 out of 5
4 customers found this review helpful, 4 did not.
This new album is terrific! Every song is "wonderful, wonderful"! I have been a fan of Mathis for almost 30 years and have seen him perform live 5-6 times, he still sounds great. Keep 'em coming, and thanks for having 12 songs on the album, I would love to see him do some more broadway or some redux of his original hits. Buy it, buy it, buy it, "chances are" you will get "misty" all over again!
Unashamedly pop but often borders on jazz - Review written on May 11, 2008
Rating: 3 out of 5
18 customers found this review helpful, 2 did not.
With his greatest hits package always getting us in the mood on a Friday, it is with great excitement to see that the King of Easy Music has a new album out.
Those doubting the quality of Johnny's talent should remember that he wrote and sung in his 50 years and counting career many hits.
On "A Night To Remember" he combines the old and the new. Yes the result is unashamedly pop but often borders on jazz.
"Just The Two Of Us" and the title track , on wich he duets with veteran Gladys Knight, bring out the best in Johnny's voice.
Whilst the track "Walk On By" doesn't fare so well, there's a great version of The Stylistics "You Make Me Feel Brand New", with Yolanda Adams, which some may think is sacrilegious but here it sounds, quite simply pure Johnny.
You may be questioning the presence on this nice allbum of the very epitome of the campy, cheesy sounds of ubiquitous sax muzak icons Dave Koz and Kenny G., brought in by the unfamous money oriented and business producer Walter Afanasieff (of the same greedy family of Phil Ramone, David Foster, Clive Davis,..) - well, this we have to have patience and bear it like the seasonal hurricanes which break the beautiful summer nights in Florida around August/September...
But as a whole, it is not a bad album at all !
Rather I would say, it's an enjoyable one !
Enjoy.
To Grover, With Love
Better Together: The Duet Album
At the Movies
A Singer to remember - Review written on May 07, 2008
Rating: 3 out of 5
7 customers found this review helpful, 4 did not.
My first Johnny Mathis album was "Love is Blue" that I bought from the Columbia Record Club in 1967, and I've been a fan ever since. As I hear his one of a kind voice on this latest CD, it was a different experience hearing Mr. Mathis backed not by "real" instrumentation, but by Pro Tools and keyboard programming, I felt there was something missing. I miss hearing his voice backed by the warmth of real "live" instruments, with strings and horns (there are a few songs that have drums, bass & guitars). I compared this CD to his work with Thom Bell, Jack Gold and Robert Mersey and found it puzzling that he chose to record "Walk On By" and "Where Is The Love" again for this CD, when his original recordings (from 1967 and 1972, respectively) were magnificient to begin with! His duet, "You Make Me Feel Brand New" with Yolanda Adams (wow!! what a voice she has) sent a chill. Mr. Mathis, your special voice just calls out for the warmth and cushion of organic instrumentation. Here, producer Walter Afanasieff surrounds him in very modern sounds and a great selection of contemporary songs. Finally, it is a gift that we have new music from a man who has been recording for 50 years, we are truly blessed.