Most people give Frank Sinatra kudos but I have to disagree I feel Matt Monroe is by far underated and should have received more recognition in North America. He is one of the greatest vocalist ever. Sure wish I could have seen him in a live performance. Thank Fil.
I grew up listening to him as my parents played his records. I didn’t like to admit that I liked him as it wouldn’t have been ‘cool’ but I did. Listening to him now reminds me of my parents who have sadly passed in the last couple of years
Been listening to Matt for some 55 years +he is one of the greatest voices that graced the pop,balladeer world.Matt is legendary,he is looking down singing in his easy distinctive style.
Awww, Matt’s voice was one that would make me swoon when I was a young lady (some 50 years ago!). I appreciate that you cover a great variety of genres. Your analysis of Matt was very interesting and pointed out things I never noticed. Good job!
As a lifelong Matt Monro admirer I must congradulate you on doing an astonishing job of analyzing the great mans voice. I knew he was great but to hear his voice in all it's purity is truly outstanding.
Ah, Matt Monroe- From Russia with Love, Portrait of my Love, Softly As I Leave You, Born Free - such beautiful emotive songs that he sang so perfectly. What a voice !!! Thanks again for another great video of a truly great artist 👌
I am a huge Matt fan and think this is his best song. The song was a Eurovision Song contest entry for Austria in 1964, Matt heard it and had Don Black write English lyrics. Frank Sinatra was a fan of Matt and loved his phrasing, Matt and his lovely voice left us way too soon. Great analysis Fil, enjoyed it very much.
Glad you are doing some of these older legends of music. What a smooth rich voice he had. I remember him from some of the film themes he sung, such as the James Bond theme "From Russia With Love", theme from "Born Free" & "On Days Like These" from "The Italian Job". He also had hits with "Portrait of My Love", "My Kind Of Girl", "Softly As I Leave You" & "Yesterday".
I had never heard of him before and so this was someone who I was asking why Fil was doing an analysis. But wait, I've heard those songs before, so this is someone that sang to me and I know him. Thanks for telling his story. I've often said that Fil has the best comments section on You Tube, and you are proof positive of that. I started listening when he had under 13,000 subs and we had a great time on the comments sections. It's still the same.
I had a Matt Monro song in my collection: On Days Like These. But I had not realized he sang the themes for From Russia With Love and Born Free. Now that you mention, I'm saying "but of course he did those songs, who else has such a smooth voice"?
I was nine years old standing in my upstairs bedroom, as I heard him sing, that song, on the Radio downstairs. Just a child, and I was in a mediative state, listening to him sing. I did not move, until the song was done. One of the Greats from England, loved by so many in the USA, and worldwide. I think I have commented on Fil’s site about Matt. Thanks
Matt Monro was arguably the greatest voice of the 20th century. Just a natural with no vocal training. Had he not made a bad career decision by leaving the U.S. and going back to the UK just when people were becoming aware of him, he'd have always been mentioned with the top singers of all time. Great review! Now please, Tony Bennett.
Matt Monro was one of Frank Sinatra's favorite vocalists -- with very good reason. I loved his version of "From Russia with Love." Man, what a magnificent voice! Thanks Matt! Thanks, FIL!
There are plenty of perfectly trained vocalists out there, not many can perform, express sentiment, feelings etc while singing, and have command of their performance, the stage etc, this is where there is a difference. There is no shortage of great vocalists with impeccable technique, not all of them have the performing and "acting", personable skills. Merci/Thank you.
I discovered Matt a few years ago with his version of "Softly As I Leave You". Sinatra recorded the song too...but Matt's rendition is better by far in my opinion...for some of the reasons you point out in this video. Matt is so into the story he's telling in his singing a song that you can feel it even in vocal only...no visual. I love, Fil, that you're delving into artists from the past. I'd love to see you do Doris Day..."When I Fall In Love" or anything from the film "Love Me Or Leave Me". Thanks Fil, for what you do.
Great video. The first time I heard Matt Monro he was singing "I Get Along Without You Very Well." That last note he sang on that just blew me away. Listen to it if you get a chance. Thanks for all of your videos. This is my favorite channel of this genre.
Brilliant analysis of Matt's incredible voice. I'm a 'crooner' going to sing my Matt Monro set tomorrow and enjoyed your insight into Matt's 'emoting' and his use of vibrato, glissando, cut-offs and 'spoken' incorporation of elements; the end of your analysis was incredible discovering the two 'octave' range. Thanks
Great voice, great performer! I never heard of him nor did I ever hear this song. Great analysis too Fil, you're ever so kind. I appreciate that & hope the performers you analysed do as well. 💜
This would sound brutal with many singers - with the backing music removed but here we have a chance to appreciate just what a great singer Matt was. Great tone and delivery - like Karen Carpenter - it all sounds effortless !
Matt Monro is quite captivating... Such an honest delivery. It's like a heart to heart. It's very theater. He hold this all by himself. Thanks for doing an analysis on him. I have never heard of him til today. I do hope this doesn't get blocked. His body language really takes it up a notch.
Just found this. Have never seen where the vocal was isolated such as this. I have a vocal reducer on my equipment but this was very interesting. Thanks, appreciate your enthusiasm and astute observations, as Matt is the greatest!
I first heard of Matt Munro back in the 60's when the movie "Born Free" came out. He sang the title song but it wasn't a hit. I was old enough to see the movie and fell in love with both it and the song.
Oh, dear. Somehow I had managed to forget this wonderful performance. The song and the voice were made for each other. It's now on my playlist, where it should have been all along. How, with the sadness of the lyrics, does it leave me uplifted?
I was 18 in 1974 and the likes of Matt Monro was seen as old fashioned, my mom loved him, we have just lost her at the age of 91, clearing out her vinyl LPs which she had well over 100, we couldn't give them away, such a shame we ended up having to split them between about 10 charity shops and hope they could make some money off them, I never realised he had such a good voice 😢
When I worked at the BBC, there was a bloke in R&D who was referred to as 'golden eyes', because he was an expert in the quality of images/video compression etc., and apparently had extremely acute eyesight.
You really delve in with your observations. I appreciate that a lot. Matt was one of a kind. Have you ever done an analysis of John Gary's singing? Elvis thought he was one of the best singers.
Dude, you are brilliant at analyzing these singers. I really get into hearing what you have to say and is great fun watching how much you enjoy doing and watching their video. Keep on Rockin' man! 🤟
I went and listened to the original tune first to see if I'd heard it before..I sat down after work..tired..and found that the isolated vocals just pulled me right in and kept me there... especially towards the end..wow..lol..liked this one too..☺️👍
His name wasn't familiar to me, but his voice sure was. This was a very cool analysis of his smooth mastery! I don't know if I would recognize a photo of John Williams, but almost all his movie themes ring memory bells for me, too.
Lynn Dow if you're familiar with the 1966 film "Born Free" Matt Monro recorded the title songs, Andy Williams also had a hit with "Born Free" Matt Monro - Born Free (The Big Ben Show, 31.12.1982) ua-cam.com/video/VE-BYbkHWI8/v-deo.html
This was simply magnificent. Crikey, could the man sing ! I remember my Dad telling me, as he popped a cassette tape into its slot in his Corolla, that this was a Kiss recording ( the band I was maddest about as a lad ),..only to hear, to my horror, either Nat ‘ King ‘ Cole or Matt Monro blaring from the speakers. Not all that many years afterward, I realised what a superb introduction to musical and vocal brilliance he kept on feeding to me.
I've always loved Matt's voice, this song in particular and his delivery. I understand his voice was untrained. I think it said somewhere he didn't even warm up or practice he just sang! He was a smoker too and didn't really look after his voice as such. Such a gift.
I have never heard of him, but I like his tone and the song itself. I looked him up on UA-cam and really like the same song with the music. He even reminds me of Andy Williams.
I have some vinyl and a CD box set of his. Great stuff, singing in Spanish too, 3 albums I believe!!! Silky smooth, shame he passed away so early at 58. Oh yeah, vocals for From Russia with Love (final credits) and the Italian Job, On days like these,, superb.
Hi Fil…I remember Cliff Richard giving a shout out to Matt and his singing Softly As I Leave you. Matt’s widow shared that Cliff was Matt’s favorite singer when it came to Softly As I Leave You….I know Cliff was deeply touched by hearing that special comment! Cliff has the voice to immediately take you back to Matt’s music! Love it you did the fabulous Matt Monroe! ✌️
I discovered Matt when Richard Carpenter made a comment that Karen really liked his voice and diction. That sent me searching for Matt Monro. What a wonderful discovery. Both great singers gone way too soon.
Truly brilliant artist and such a distinctive voice. I was lucky growing up with older brothers and sisters who all loved people like Matt, Gene, Andy Williams, Perry Como, the list goes on. All of them brilliant in their own right.
Thank you for highlighting Matt Monroe. In Australia he was known as 'Golden Tonsils'. I have 2 vinyl albums of Matt Monroe, may need to de-dust and play them. As you said, he not only sings the song but performs and feels the song, which is also highlighted in the movie theme song that he performed 'Born Free'. As mentioned already by other posts, the name of other songs he had success with his own interpretation of those songs. Some other songs were Yesterday When I Was Young, Autumn Leaves, Danny Boy, Totally enjoyed the video.
Such a voice! I will listen to more of his music now -thanks Fil!! Fil Would you at some point review Elvis Presley His Hand in Mine? I find it particularly beautiful both musically and more importantly spiritually Heading for open heart surgery this am and praying God is great!!!!!
Hey Fil !.. YOU are the best analyst of voices..THE CHAMPION !... Matt Monro...One of my faves..👍...Terry Parsons...Former double deck driver, right..The ease...range...interpretation...FIVE STARS.... How about the tragic, Dick Haymes ?...I think he was the best baritone of that era...But, didn't have the stage presence of Frank, Nat, Bing..But, I think his pipes were better. Matt Monro...Again, BIG-TIME PROPS&THANKS TO YOU FIL ! You're quite talented in your own right 👍 Keep up your TREMENDOUS work, Fil...Very appreciated ! Your fellow artist&fan, Nat King Currie
Thanks, a great analysis of what makes his interpretations of songs so compelling. You have perhaps explained what was often said about Matt (Terry Parsons), was that when he went ‘on stage’ to perform in London’s pubs and clubs in the early years, those attending stopped whatever they were doing and LISTENED to him. He ‘commanded’ attention. His version (the first recorded?) of ‘Yesterday’, with simple piano accompaniment is, to my ear, astonishingly poignant. (You can view a performance on youtube) An elegiac transitional moment in popular music and how ironic that his ‘style’ of performance was about to be swept away by the vibrance of 60s ‘pop’, led by -- the Beatles!
You point about the talking voice and the singing voice reminded me how surprised I was when I first heard Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music and solo artist) speaking. His speaking and singing voices are totally different. He has a very pronounced and recognisable vibrato when singing, rare in his era/genre, and yet sounds like just a normal chap when speaking. This is in contrast to, for example, David Bowie, whose speaking and singing voice is more recognisably from one man.
Love Ferry! He is almost a crooner. Avalon is perfection. I can listen to that album on reply for hours. Moody, eclectic, romantic. Same thing with "Dance Away" Love how you hear him strike the match and inhale (not that smoke is good for you) just so evocative of his heartache. And BF's cover of Lennon's "Jealous Guy."
The contrast between singers singing and speaking voices can sometimes make you do a double take. Sometimes if you didn't know it you wouldn't believe it was the same person. I've noticed it especially with classical singers but a good example in pop and blues is Paul Jones who speaks like a toff and sings like a rebel.
I feel like an idiot for having absolutely no idea who this guy is. My parents had a fairly extensive crooner collection: Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Andy Williams, Al Martino, Ray Price, Pat Boone, Englebert Humperdinck etc. but nothing from this talented vocalist. Thanks for bringing him to my attention.
Sadly, I didn't listen to Matt when growing up in the sixties other than him performing a James Bond title song. Recently, however, appreciating musical talent rather than musical culture I can see how good he was. He had the musicality of Tony Bennett combined with the timing of Sinatra. Had he been American I am sure he would have been a megastar.
Matt was on his way to mega stardom in the U.S. while he headlined in Vegas. He then made a bad career decision by moving back to the UK. The UK, oddly, never appreciated how great a voice he had. He was appreciated though, in many parts of the world.
YES!!!! You’re analysing Matt! How wonderful! I’ve loved him since I was a child….(I think he was sadly quite ill by this time. Not that you’d know it). Well he is from the Uk😎. I’ve always said that he has the cleanest voice ever❣️ Born Free and from Russia With Love are 2 of my favourites. Have you done one on Andy Williams yet? I recommend…omg… so hard…’Speak Softly Love’.
I was so jazzzed to see you go deep and old-school for Matt Munro, Fil! Matt was big around the time I was born, but I knew of him just because I’m a big-time music-geek. I learned of him from hearing this devastating drum-and-bugle-corps rendition of “Softly, As I Leave You”, and had to find out “who did that?” The only other top-flight vocalist I can think of who could go from singing to spoken-word without a break was Frank Sinatra. Tellingly, Frank once remarked that “Matt Munro is the only singer I’d gladly pay to hear.” Now, *that* is a recommendation 😁🎶😎!
Fantastic that you've reviewed Matt's vocals. I don't think he gets enough praise for how great a singer he was.
Yes, I always felt he was underrated.
Most people give Frank Sinatra kudos but I have to disagree I feel Matt Monroe is by far underated and should have received more recognition in North America. He is one of the greatest vocalist ever. Sure wish I could have seen him in a live performance. Thank Fil.
Totally agree!!!!!!!!
Even Frank himself said he thought Matt was better. Frank called him the purest and greatest voice he'd ever heard.
I grew up listening to him as my parents played his records. I didn’t like to admit that I liked him as it wouldn’t have been ‘cool’ but I did. Listening to him now reminds me of my parents who have sadly passed in the last couple of years
Been listening to Matt for some 55 years +he is one of the greatest voices that graced the pop,balladeer world.Matt is legendary,he is looking down singing in his easy distinctive style.
Thank you
Awww, Matt’s voice was one that would make me swoon when I was a young lady (some 50 years ago!). I appreciate that you cover a great variety of genres. Your analysis of Matt was very interesting and pointed out things I never noticed. Good job!
As a lifelong Matt Monro admirer I must congradulate you on doing an astonishing job of analyzing the great mans voice. I knew he was great but to hear his voice in all it's purity is truly outstanding.
Thanks!
Ah, Matt Monroe- From Russia with Love, Portrait of my Love, Softly As I Leave You, Born Free - such beautiful emotive songs that he sang so perfectly. What a voice !!!
Thanks again for another great video of a truly great artist 👌
I am a huge Matt fan and think this is his best song. The song was a Eurovision Song contest entry for Austria in 1964, Matt heard it and had Don Black write English lyrics. Frank Sinatra was a fan of Matt and loved his phrasing, Matt and his lovely voice left us way too soon. Great analysis Fil, enjoyed it very much.
Glad you are doing some of these older legends of music. What a smooth rich voice he had. I remember him from some of the film themes he sung, such as the James Bond theme "From Russia With Love", theme from "Born Free" & "On Days Like These" from "The Italian Job". He also had hits with "Portrait of My Love", "My Kind Of Girl", "Softly As I Leave You" & "Yesterday".
I had never heard of him before and so this was someone who I was asking why Fil was doing an analysis. But wait, I've heard those songs before, so this is someone that sang to me and I know him. Thanks for telling his story. I've often said that Fil has the best comments section on You Tube, and you are proof positive of that. I started listening when he had under 13,000 subs and we had a great time on the comments sections. It's still the same.
I had a Matt Monro song in my collection: On Days Like These.
But I had not realized he sang the themes for From Russia With Love and Born Free.
Now that you mention, I'm saying "but of course he did those songs, who else has such a smooth voice"?
I was nine years old standing in my upstairs bedroom, as I heard him sing, that song, on the Radio downstairs. Just a child, and I was in a mediative state, listening to him sing. I did not move, until the song was done. One of the Greats from England, loved by so many in the USA, and worldwide. I think I have commented on Fil’s site about Matt. Thanks
The 1970s sure had great music. I'm glad I was around for it. Thanks for sharing this analysis video. Cheers, Fil! ✌️
Me too💚
Matt Monro was arguably the greatest voice of the 20th century. Just a natural with no vocal training. Had he not made a bad career decision by leaving the U.S. and going back to the UK just when people were becoming aware of him, he'd have always been mentioned with the top singers of all time. Great review! Now please, Tony Bennett.
Fil, you are my favorite reviewer. Always with intelligent insightful comments.
Matt Monro was one of Frank Sinatra's favorite vocalists -- with very good reason. I loved his version of "From Russia with Love." Man, what a magnificent voice! Thanks Matt! Thanks, FIL!
His version? It was his song.
@@Shaki123 -- I've heard other singers do it too. Matt's was the original version.
@@walterfechter8080 that's what I said.
He was called the British Frank Sinatra
Fil, really appreciate your enthusiasm, your thoroughness and your genius! Thank you for being such a great guide and teacher!
Matt Monro had an incredible voice. Love this song. Great choice.
There are plenty of perfectly trained vocalists out there, not many can perform, express sentiment, feelings etc while singing, and have command of their performance, the stage etc, this is where there is a difference. There is no shortage of great vocalists with impeccable technique, not all of them have the performing and "acting", personable skills.
Merci/Thank you.
Thanks Fil, and thanks to your comments section. I didn't know of Matt, but he has sung many songs that I know. Great analysis.
Merci.
Remember him singing Born Free way back in the day when I was a young kid. Didn't know his name then, but learned it later on. :)
I discovered Matt a few years ago with his version of "Softly As I Leave You". Sinatra recorded the song too...but Matt's rendition is better by far in my opinion...for some of the reasons you point out in this video. Matt is so into the story he's telling in his singing a song that you can feel it even in vocal only...no visual. I love, Fil, that you're delving into artists from the past. I'd love to see you do Doris Day..."When I Fall In Love" or anything from the film "Love Me Or Leave Me". Thanks Fil, for what you do.
Always thought Sinatra was overrated. Now Michael Buble, he out Sinatra's, Sinatra. (IMO).
My Dad met Matt many times in london... Stunning voice ....Very underated ..Sinatra loved His voice.
Great video. The first time I heard Matt Monro he was singing "I Get Along Without You Very Well." That last note he sang on that just blew me away. Listen to it if you get a chance. Thanks for all of your videos. This is my favorite channel of this genre.
Matt is my favorite singer of all times, Matt with the golden voice..love it...❤❤❤❤❤
Excellent analysis. Thank you.
Matt interprets a song brilliantly. His voice was incredibly stunning.❤
Brilliant analysis of Matt's incredible voice. I'm a 'crooner' going to sing my Matt Monro set tomorrow and enjoyed your insight into Matt's 'emoting' and his use of vibrato, glissando, cut-offs and 'spoken' incorporation of elements; the end of your analysis was incredible discovering the two 'octave' range. Thanks
Such an interesting observation. Singing voice, talking voice, storytelling and the vocal tracking in the graph. Thanks!
Brilliant analysis, Fil. I've always loved the way he told a story when he was singing. And what a voice - no autotune needed there!
He was very classy. An interesting note is that he was first famous in Hong Kong as during his military career there he had his own radio show.
Incredible voice, way up there with the absolute best. Still love to listen to Matt Monro. Thanks for doing this one.
Thank you for this video! Matt Monro is one of my favourite singers. He was a natural.
Thank you for this
One of my all time favorite singers. Thank you for covering this video
Great voice, great performer!
I never heard of him nor did I ever hear this song.
Great analysis too Fil, you're ever so kind. I appreciate that & hope the performers you analysed do as well.
💜
This would sound brutal with many singers - with the backing music removed but here we have a chance to appreciate just what a great singer Matt was. Great tone and delivery - like Karen Carpenter - it all sounds effortless !
Well said.
Absolutely brilliant analysis - Great Review. 😲
Matt Monro is quite captivating...
Such an honest delivery. It's like a heart to heart. It's very theater. He hold this all by himself. Thanks for doing an analysis on him. I have never heard of him til today.
I do hope this doesn't get blocked. His body language really takes it up a notch.
Just found this. Have never seen where the vocal was isolated such as this. I have a vocal reducer on my equipment but this was very interesting. Thanks, appreciate your enthusiasm and astute observations, as Matt is the greatest!
One of my Favs ,ever...WHAT a voice
Yay!!!! I discovered Matt about 18 months ago he's now one of my all time faves. I really am glad you're showing his brilliance.
I first heard of Matt Munro back in the 60's when the movie "Born Free" came out. He sang the title song but it wasn't a hit. I was old enough to see the movie and fell in love with both it and the song.
Oh, dear. Somehow I had managed to forget this wonderful performance. The song and the voice were made for each other. It's now on my playlist, where it should have been all along. How, with the sadness of the lyrics, does it leave me uplifted?
I was 18 in 1974 and the likes of Matt Monro was seen as old fashioned, my mom loved him, we have just lost her at the age of 91, clearing out her vinyl LPs which she had well over 100, we couldn't give them away, such a shame we ended up having to split them between about 10 charity shops and hope they could make some money off them, I never realised he had such a good voice 😢
Whoa yeah, the boy can sing... He was by the 1980s called a 'crooner', he was a true singer.
Matt Monro was another crooner with excellent vocal control. I like his version of "Born Free"
Yes, my Mum loved that song, as did I 💛
@@leandabee Both Matt Monro and Andy Williams had a hit with that song.
@@drewpall2598 It's Matt's song. Andy couldn't match Matt's control.
First time I ever heard this man sing was Born Free and been a fan ever since beautiful voice a story teller.
When I worked at the BBC, there was a bloke in R&D who was referred to as 'golden eyes', because he was an expert in the quality of images/video compression etc., and apparently had extremely acute eyesight.
You really delve in with your observations. I appreciate that a lot. Matt was one of a kind.
Have you ever done an analysis of John Gary's singing? Elvis thought he was one of the best singers.
The best of the crooners, IMO. What a gorgeous voice.
Matt was such a good story teller that this song, and Softly As I Leave You, always make me sad and can even reduce me to tears!!
Brilliant explanation, thank you
Frank Sinatra said he was glad Matt Monroe was English & not American because he was so good!
Thank you Fil (yet again)!!
Great video . Best crooner voice ever even superior to Sinatra , Como, Crosby, etc
A terrific and accurate review of a great song and a wonderful performer.....🤘🤘
Not bad for a bus driver ! Brilliant actually !
Goosebump central.
Dude, you are brilliant at analyzing these singers. I really get into hearing what you have to say and is great fun watching how much you enjoy doing and watching their video. Keep on Rockin' man! 🤟
Love this stuff, Fil…..outstanding presentation, well done, bud.
He was fabulous
His songs are a staple in our household got exposed to him at a young age, deeply appreciate how good his voice is. The control is really amazing.
Just wonderful, what a singer
I went and listened to the original tune first to see if I'd heard it before..I sat down after work..tired..and found that the isolated vocals just pulled me right in and kept me there... especially towards the end..wow..lol..liked this one too..☺️👍
His name wasn't familiar to me, but his voice sure was. This was a very cool analysis of his smooth mastery! I don't know if I would recognize a photo of John Williams, but almost all his movie themes ring memory bells for me, too.
Lynn Dow if you're familiar with the 1966 film "Born Free" Matt Monro recorded the title songs, Andy Williams also had a hit with "Born Free" Matt Monro - Born Free (The Big Ben Show, 31.12.1982) ua-cam.com/video/VE-BYbkHWI8/v-deo.html
Loved him singing “Portrait of My Love”.❤️
This was simply magnificent. Crikey, could the man sing ! I remember my Dad telling me, as he popped a cassette tape into its slot in his Corolla, that this was a Kiss recording ( the band I was maddest about as a lad ),..only to hear, to my horror, either Nat ‘ King ‘ Cole or Matt Monro blaring from the speakers. Not all that many years afterward, I realised what a superb introduction to musical and vocal brilliance he kept on feeding to me.
Nat King Cole, pure gold.
I've always loved Matt's voice, this song in particular and his delivery. I understand his voice was untrained. I think it said somewhere he didn't even warm up or practice he just sang! He was a smoker too and didn't really look after his voice as such. Such a gift.
I have never heard of him, but I like his tone and the song itself. I looked him up on UA-cam and really like the same song with the music. He even reminds me of Andy Williams.
Wow!! What a guy to sing such a song .. so deep 💓😊🎄🌹👍😘 thanks so much Fil - he’s a star in my eyes -always loved him - now I know why 😄💓🥰🙏🌹🎄🤶🇦🇺😘
Wow. I remember this song but never knew who sang it. Got chills listening to him, and yes, he has a very theatrical presentation.
I have some vinyl and a CD box set of his. Great stuff, singing in Spanish too, 3 albums I believe!!! Silky smooth, shame he passed away so early at 58. Oh yeah, vocals for From Russia with Love (final credits) and the Italian Job, On days like these,, superb.
I would love to see an analysis of Andy Williams. He had an extremely powerful and accurate voice. One of the top voices of the 20th century, imo.
Hi Fil…I remember Cliff Richard giving a shout out to Matt and his singing Softly As I Leave you. Matt’s widow shared that Cliff was Matt’s favorite singer when it came to Softly As I Leave You….I know Cliff was deeply touched by hearing that special comment! Cliff has the voice to immediately take you back to Matt’s music! Love it you did the fabulous Matt Monroe! ✌️
I love ❤️ Matt’s voice! Even better than Sinatra.
I discovered Matt when Richard Carpenter made a comment that Karen really liked his voice and diction. That sent me searching for Matt Monro. What a wonderful discovery. Both great singers gone way too soon.
Thank you… love Matt!
Truly brilliant artist and such a distinctive voice. I was lucky growing up with older brothers and sisters who all loved people like Matt, Gene, Andy Williams, Perry Como, the list goes on. All of them brilliant in their own right.
Another great analysis. Always loved MM's voics. I've always thought that this song would be perfect for a Pet Shop Boys cover.
Love Matt's song
Thank you for highlighting Matt Monroe. In Australia he was known as 'Golden Tonsils'. I have 2 vinyl albums of Matt Monroe, may need to de-dust and play them. As you said, he not only sings the song but performs and feels the song, which is also highlighted in the movie theme song that he performed 'Born Free'. As mentioned already by other posts, the name of other songs he had success with his own interpretation of those songs. Some other songs were Yesterday When I Was Young, Autumn Leaves, Danny Boy, Totally enjoyed the video.
Matt Monro
Fabulous singer..one of the best.. Thank you for this analysis ..enjoyed it very much. Please do Glen Campbell 🥰
Barbara Dixon singing Caravans is another example of someone having such a good voice they can forget about the singing and deliver a story.
Let's face it, Matt is a complete bloody genius.
Great job, as always, Phil. Fantastic choice for analysis, also. Matt Monro was one of the best.
Beautiful classic voice.💗
Such a voice! I will listen to more of his music now -thanks Fil!!
Fil Would you at some point review Elvis Presley His Hand in Mine? I find it particularly beautiful both musically and more importantly spiritually Heading for open heart surgery this am and praying God is great!!!!!
Another great job keep up the good work
He is the best i just love him
From i use go to the movies they use to play his song and i get to love it and now i am 72 year old and i still play it
Hey Fil !..
YOU are the best analyst of voices..THE CHAMPION !...
Matt Monro...One of my faves..👍...Terry Parsons...Former double deck driver, right..The ease...range...interpretation...FIVE STARS....
How about the tragic, Dick Haymes ?...I think he was the best baritone of that era...But, didn't have the stage presence of Frank, Nat, Bing..But, I think his pipes were better.
Matt Monro...Again, BIG-TIME PROPS&THANKS TO YOU FIL !
You're quite talented in your own right 👍
Keep up your TREMENDOUS work, Fil...Very appreciated !
Your fellow artist&fan,
Nat King Currie
Thanks, a great analysis of what makes his interpretations of songs so compelling.
You have perhaps explained what was often said about Matt (Terry Parsons), was that when he went ‘on stage’ to perform in London’s pubs and clubs in the early years, those attending stopped whatever they were doing and LISTENED to him. He ‘commanded’ attention.
His version (the first recorded?) of ‘Yesterday’, with simple piano accompaniment is, to my ear, astonishingly poignant. (You can view a performance on youtube)
An elegiac transitional moment in popular music and how ironic that his ‘style’ of performance was about to be swept away by the vibrance of 60s ‘pop’, led by -- the Beatles!
You point about the talking voice and the singing voice reminded me how surprised I was when I first heard Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music and solo artist) speaking. His speaking and singing voices are totally different. He has a very pronounced and recognisable vibrato when singing, rare in his era/genre, and yet sounds like just a normal chap when speaking. This is in contrast to, for example, David Bowie, whose speaking and singing voice is more recognisably from one man.
Love Ferry! He is almost a crooner. Avalon is perfection. I can listen to that album on reply for hours. Moody, eclectic, romantic. Same thing with "Dance Away" Love how you hear him strike the match and inhale (not that smoke is good for you) just so evocative of his heartache. And BF's cover of Lennon's "Jealous Guy."
@@pookiepookie8669 He had class. You either have it or not. He did. A very classy vocalist. And imho "Avalon" is the perfect album.
The contrast between singers singing and speaking voices can sometimes make you do a double take. Sometimes if you didn't know it you wouldn't believe it was the same person. I've noticed it especially with classical singers but a good example in pop and blues is Paul Jones who speaks like a toff and sings like a rebel.
I feel like an idiot for having absolutely no idea who this guy is. My parents had a fairly extensive crooner collection: Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Andy Williams, Al Martino, Ray Price, Pat Boone, Englebert Humperdinck etc. but nothing from this talented vocalist. Thanks for bringing him to my attention.
Frank Sinatra rated him very highly, it's a shame he isn't as well known. He was a big star in the UK.
Sadly, I didn't listen to Matt when growing up in the sixties other than him performing a James Bond title song. Recently, however, appreciating musical talent rather than musical culture I can see how good he was. He had the musicality of Tony Bennett combined with the timing of Sinatra. Had he been American I am sure he would have been a megastar.
Matt was on his way to mega stardom in the U.S. while he headlined in Vegas. He then made a bad career decision by moving back to the UK. The UK, oddly, never appreciated how great a voice he had. He was appreciated though, in many parts of the world.
Matt Monro the best singer ever. I really liked his voice and diction.
YES!!!! You’re analysing Matt! How wonderful! I’ve loved him since I was a child….(I think he was sadly quite ill by this time. Not that you’d know it).
Well he is from the Uk😎. I’ve always said that he has the cleanest voice ever❣️
Born Free and from Russia With Love are 2 of my favourites.
Have you done one on Andy Williams yet? I recommend…omg… so hard…’Speak Softly Love’.
Pretty sure he was Sinatra's fave singer. Mum loves him. Born Free is stunning
Such beautiful perfection 😌. Would like to see a Lou Rawls one 😃. Thank you Fil 👏👏
Amen to that-they say Sinatra said Low Rawls had "..the best pipes in the business!". Love Matt Munro though and I enjoyed this analysis♥
i live close to Matt Monro in London a very nice man easy to talk to beautiful singer..
It's been difficult to talk to Matt Monro since February 7, 1985, when he passed away.
@@reneleclerc6119 yep it sure has i should have put lived not live im talking about in the 60s...hows that..
Another very nice critique, Fil! I had not heard of him before, but he does have such a smooth voice. A little Sinatra style.
I was so jazzzed to see you go deep and old-school for Matt Munro, Fil!
Matt was big around the time I was born, but I knew of him just because I’m a big-time music-geek. I learned of him from hearing this devastating drum-and-bugle-corps rendition of “Softly, As I Leave You”, and had to find out “who did that?”
The only other top-flight vocalist I can think of who could go from singing to spoken-word without a break was Frank Sinatra. Tellingly, Frank once remarked that “Matt Munro is the only singer I’d gladly pay to hear.”
Now, *that* is a recommendation 😁🎶😎!
Matt Monro