PRESENTS

Welcome to the Grapevine News. This section of the Mathis Chronicles contains my views about anything I find or am sent about Johnny Mathis on the Internet and elsewhere, that had been overlooked by the "official" sites. Occasionally, I report on things not directly related to Mathis but have a connection, may even make up a question to ask myself and try to answer. Readers are welcome to share their experiences here also. So enjoy and thanks for coming.

VOL. 2 NO. 10 - MAY 23, 2003

FOOTLIGHTS: I'd like to introduce a soon-to-be new addition to my Buy Mathis Music page: Footlights, a wonderful source of the old as well as the new. A friend of mine says that back in the day, in New York City, you could spend HOURS in this store, located at 113 East 12th Street in Manhattan, and find just about ANYTHING you could possibly want that was in some way related to the theater. My next trip to NYC, I will put them on the list of sights to see! Fittingly, they have a good selection of some the more hard-to-find Johnny Mathis recordings. Example: they have a copy of the Natalie Cole/Johnny Mathis duet album called Unforgettable, a wonderful recording which was only released overseas, for only $11.95 American. Check them out using this hyperlink, maybe you'll find that lost treasure you've been looking for!

HOMETOWN PROUD: Mathis' alma mater, the beautiful San Francisco State University, are proud of the achievements picture of their former alumnus in getting the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. This page shows not only their pride, but a great headshot wearing his cap and gown.

DANCE WITH HIS FATHER: It's hard to believe, but it's been three years this month since the short-but-fabulous Mathis on Broadway was released. It's time to get back into the studio. Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased I'm Coming Home is being released this summer, such as it is, even though it feels like Sony's the farmer scattering his crumbs to those of his chickens who still have a taste for his feed. But more on that later.

I got to hear the title cut from the upcoming Luther Vandross CD, Dance With My Father on the radio this weekend. Words don't express fully how poignant the song is, especially in light of the recent tragedy. It's a perfect tribute for anybody who had a close relationship with their father. Of course, this immediately put me in mind to my Mathis, who adored his father and lost him while still relatively young. By my research, Mathis has yet to do a song written by the prolific Mr. Vandross, and I could think of several he COULD do. Of course, the ultimate would have been for Luther to write a song especially for Johnny Mathis, but this may never come to pass now. But there's the next-best thing. Listening to the words to this beautiful song, which will have its public debut somewhere around Father's Day, "Dance With My Father" would be perfect for Mathis to do on a future album, not only as a tribute to memories of good times with his father, but also as a perfect homage, a nod of approval, a pat on the back even, from one master singer to another.

WHAT WAS HE THINKING?? I noticed the official site quotes the producer of the reissue of I'm Coming Home (I'll find out who's to blame for this) claims there are no bonus tracks because there was nothing left to add to it. Now, that's the kind of a statement that can lead one to believe that this guy, at least on the surface, has his head up his backside as far as creativity is concerned, isn't it? I mean, surely he doesn't truly believe this.

Can't anyone, besides me, think of a good reason, with not one, but two Thom Bell-produced albums in existence, why they couldn't have added at least two or more cuts from 1977's Mathis Is to the tail end of I'm Coming Home, especially since they didn't have the forethought to release said album in the first place, or release them both together as two-fers?

This music is representative of some of the most well-produced, well-arranged music Mathis ever sang! Beautiful Philly-soul stylings on songs such as "Loving You, Losing You", "Heaven Must Have Made You Just For Me", and "World of Laughter"; and the hauntingly beautiful "Lullaby of Our Love". You get the picture? Yet as we have it now, as it WILL BE come June, Sony's going to generously hand us yet another half-hour recording being sold for damn close to $20 American. And yes, we're going to buy it, too. I'm telling you, I just don't understand people, I really don't.

UNTIL YOU COME BACK TO ME: Luther's still hanging in there! Continue to him some love and prayers.

TOUR BUS: The bus stops next in Detroit, Michigan. Visit See Mathis Live! for details. New dates for 2004 added! Yay!

©2003 Iris Gross Georg. All rights reserved.

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