CURIOUS THINGS: I've been kinda watching (with the mildest of interest, mind you) the sales figures on the VHS and DVD of Live By Request featuring k.d. lang. I see by Amazon that it's sold a whopping 3754 VHS and a phenomenal 985 DVDs through thier site alone. Boy, they're really taking them off the shelves, aren't they?! I don't know HOW they're going to keep the supplies up... it's yet another example of the asinine business decisions those who call themselves experts make about such things, IMHO. They know damn well Mathis should have been first. But, when it's his turn in the fall, we'll just see. In the meantime, I certainly hope they're not judging future releases such as Mathis' based on the piss-poor performance of this one.
Well, it looks as if the definitive boxed set, The Music of Johnny Mathis: A Personal Collection, is being re-released by Sony on September 11. Now, this truly is curious. The original, released eight years ago come October, is still readily available. The new one is being pre-sold at a cheaper price...are these "add-ons" to the original or merely a reprint? After all, eight years has passed; some new additions in the form of a disc 5 or 6 wouldn't be out of the question; but...since I'm being told that perhaps the Live By Request Video and accompanying CD will satisfy any recording contract requirements for this season, I'm not sure what they're up to with this re-hash. Why re-release what's already out?! Curious.
GOOD THINGS: I've been reading and hearing some really good things over the weekend. I've been doing some research on producer Craig Street. Who's that? Well, among other things, he's the producer behind not-so-newcomer Cassandra Wilson's Grammy-winning jazz album "New Moon Daughter" as well as k.d. lang's "Drag" album and Me'Shell Ndegeocello's "Bitter", and the Manhattan Transfer's "Spirit of St. Louis". He once even put together an album of some Jimi Hendrix songs but arranged them for the piano. (That man's BRAVE.)
Mr. Street has been quoted as saying he's really interested in interpretation, but that most people "don't even put their own personalities into their music." The recordings he produces tend to be, well, dark in feeling, very sparse with very little electronic trickery. He loves spontaneity and minimalist arrangements in the recording session.
It looks like Mr. Street may be producing a new jazz-flavored album for Johnny Mathis, due out sometime in the early part of 2002. Hallelujah! Mathis is re-discovering his roots after 45 years. It's about time. It will be interesting to see and hear what Mr. Street has planned for Mathis, if they go through with the project. If it doesn't sell two records it already sounds like a critical success, just from the artistic standpoint. Just think, the first Black producer of an entire Mathis album since Thom Bell. Good things.
There's even a whiff of Christmas in the air, with the possible recording and release of the first new studio Christmas album (not counting Hallmark) in 14 years by the time 2002 comes to an end. Looks like Mathis may be planning for the future. I'm liking what I'm hearing and reading. May the Lord let him finish his projects. Good things.
ON WITH THE SHOW: Mathis is due to perform in Saratoga, California (a suburb of San Jose) on August 30th, and it's looking as if it's sold out. Check the link in case of a change of plans or new ticket availability.
Three casino shows are set for the fall: Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut (about 50 miles SE of Providence, Rhode Island) on October 5th and 6th, at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 19th and 20th, and at Caesars Atlantic City (tickets now available) November 9th and November 10th.
Johnny Mathis will hopefully return to Long Island on March 8th and 9th, 2002, according to Pollstar, the best source for concert information.
MORE NEW CONCERTS FOR 2002! Looks like February 2002 is booked solid! I see he's spending a lot of time in South Florida, with dates for Fort Myers, Florida on the FIRST George W's birthday (22nd) at the Barbara B. Mann Hall, and Miami Beach, Florida (is this different from plain old Miami, Florida? I don't know!) at the wonderful Jackie Gleason Theater on the 24th. Earlier in the month shows a Feb. 7th concert in waterlogged Houston, Texas at Jones Hall, and a Feb. 9th show in Savannah, GA at the Johnny Mercer Theatre. Mathis returns to Caesars Atlantic City April 19th and 20th. Later in the year I see a show in Charlotte, North Carolina (watch out, Fab) at the Ovens Auditorium on May 4th. 2002 is looking wonderful (nope, won't do it) with Johnny Mathis is still very much in demand!
Unfortunately, still no Canadian or other foreign dates that I can see. Looks like he's left you guys for good. Let's hope he'll change his mind soon!
In the meantime, to those who have lived in the United States without having seen Johnny Mathis in concert, what's up with that? There is ample opportunity, so lose your mistrust of the flying machines and go.
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