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. 4 NO. 1 - JANUARY 16, 2005

WON'T BE LONG NOW!: Finally, we get to see what this new album, Isn't It Romantic, is going to look like! I'm seeing two images show up, and it wouldn't be the first time a Mathis album had more than one cover. But, at the Sony store we have this image, and at Amazon.com we have this other image. I favor the one at Amazon.com, but I think both are great. Mr. Claxton did his usual stellar job in capturing this living legend in action. It's my hope that they'll have a songbook in the works with sheet music for the professionals among us, and some extra photos for those of us who simply love to look at Mathis' face. I wish they would have done that with Mathis on Broadway, but then I also wish they would have used a a different photo for the cover. Of all the ones they used for that one, they put the best one inside the size of a postage stamp. Not smart. But, I don't always understand their vision. It unfortunately comes down to a choice of that or nothing! At least on this new production that doesn't appear to be a problem. The black and white art, as I mentioned last time, is stunning, and this will go down as one of his best covers. The new album is due out Tuesday, February 1st. It has only ten songs: "A Cottage For Sale", the title, "Our Love is Here To Stay", "This Can't Be Love", "There's a Kind of Hush", "The Rainbow Connection", "Almost Like Being In Love", "Dindi", "Day By Day", and "Over The Rainbow". Some sites list another track, substituting "Let the Good Times Roll", for "Over The Rainbow". So not only is there confusion over the cover artwork but the actual tracks, as well. In any case, this has the makings of a classic! I can't wait until Groundhog Day!

ME AND MY FRIENDS: Good news! Johnny Mathis will have a song on good friend Dionne Warwick's new duet album after all. Whether it will be new or rerun, I don't know just yet. Ms. Warwick's album should be out this summer.

COOL STORY:  A writer recalls meeting Johnny Mathis as a young child. A heartwarming story as her father took care of Mathis' ailing mother.

UNTIL YOU COME BACK TO ME: The Lord chose not to take Luther Vandross for reasons only He knows, and I'm thankful. Aa new biography is in the stores, called simply "Luther" by Craig Seymour. Authorized biographies tend to be boring as hell and basically worthless, but I skimmed it and it looked pretty good. I hope you'll join me in continuing to send love and encouragement to Luther. He believes in the power of love, as well as the power of prayer, and so do I! I'm thinking of you, Luther! Keep fighting!

TOUR BUS: The bus stops next in Santa Rosa, California, Greenville, South Carolina, and Sarasota, Florida. Visit See Mathis Live! for details.

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