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. 3 NO. 1 - JANUARY 29, 2004

RESCHEDULED: Oh, oh! Johnny Mathis didn't take his flu shot! According to a Los Angeles Times article dated 12/11/03, Mathis performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa for the rich folks' private 30th anniversary Candlelight Concert and the Candlelight Encore feeling less than 100%. The article states that Mathis was superb, nonetheless. I understand, however, that he did go ahead and cancel the "non-corporate" concert; but he's up and better now, and that show has been rescheduled for the 18th of January. I know that's a bummer for the people who had flown in to see him, but it's great news for the many Southern Californians, Vegans and Arizonians who I'm positive will drive to see the show and lend their support!

AND HE'S OFF: Gotta love this venue! In early May, Johnny Mathis is making his first appearance at--get this--a combination horse track and casino! Tickets go on sale April 7 for the show at Dover Downs in Dover, Delaware. You guys in the Philadelphia area ought to get there easily. I don't know...would you dress up for this one?

SECRET LOVE: While doing some net shopping a few weeks ago, I heard a sublime version of Secret Love as done by Johnny Mathis on the radio show "Swinging Down the Lane with David Miller", which airs Sunday nights on public radio station KGOU in Norman, Oklahoma. It was a spotlight on 1954, and for some reason they didnšt use the more famous version by singer Doris Day. Just as well; in my opinion, Mathis' rendition runs circles around it, but of course didn't come out until much later, which is why it was something of a surprise to hear it.

In fact, Secret Love, written by Paul Francis Webster and Sammy Fain, has been covered by artists as diverse as Pat Boone to the great Billy Stewart; but in March of 1954 young 18-year-old Mathis was only on the cusp of discovery by George Avakian. The song actually came from the film, "Calamity Jane," which was featured in the documentary, "The Celluloid Closet" and starring Mathis friend Howard Keel and Doris Day in the title role. It's now out on DVD, if you want to check it out via Netflix or Amazon.com.

The arrangement on Mathis' version is sublime, and it points to the fact that arrangement is everything. In the documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Love", the best documentary nobody ever saw, one of the famed Funk Brothers pretty much confirmed this when he made the arguably undeniable suggestion that "you could have had Deputy Dawg up there singing and we would have made him sound good." There are myriad ways a good voice paired with a bad arrangement just doesn't work. But Mathis' voice in the hands of master arranger Glenn Osser is a brush in the hands of Rembrandt. Nothing was lost.

The album that features Secret Love is Faithfully. It truly is one of the better of the early Mathis albums. Hopefully, they'll get around to releasing not only this album, but ALL OF THEM in some digital format someday. I'd like to see them do this while Mathis still walks among us, but by now I'm just disillusioned enough to know that won't happen.

And for those of you who dig the Big Band beat (and don't have to ask what that is), David Miller's "Swingin' Down the Lane" is a great show whether they play Johnny Mathis or not! I've provided a link to the website to the show for your convenience, where you can get a taste of upcoming programs.

UNTIL YOU COME BACK TO ME: I'm still rooting for Luther, my generation's Mathis! Join me in sending love his way. And NEVER underestimate the power of prayer!

TOUR BUS: The bus stops next in Costa Mesa, California and Palm Desert, California. Visit See Mathis Live! for details.

©2003 Iris Gross Georg. All rights reserved. Absolutely NO part of this website may be used without my written permission.

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