Johnny Mathis
I’ll Buy You A Star/Live It Up!
Collector’s Choice Music

Johnny Mathis
Rapture/Romantically
Collector’s Choice Music
www.collectorschoicemusic.com
By George W. Harris

This summer, Collectors Choice Music has teamed up with Sony Music to put out a bushel load of Johnny Mathis discs from the time that he was THE vocalist of the pre-rock crowd. The two releases of double discs that matter most to jazz fans will be reviewed here, unless you’re interested in Mathis doing stuff by Simon and Garfunkel.

Back in 1961, Johnny Mathis actually put out a record that qualifies as a jazz release! I’ll Buy You A Star and Live It Up both feature arrangements under the baton of Nelson Riddle, and their quality will surprise you. First of all, Mathis’ voice during this time was simply the best: mixing the rhythmic inflections of Nat King Cole, the sweetness of Clyde McPhatter (of the Drifters) and the loneliness of Bobby Vee (or was it Vinton? Or was it Rydell? Oh well). You’ll be amazed how comfortable Mathis is sounding assertive and confident during a s lick “The Best Is Yet To Come” as well as the tapping “Too Much To Soon.” This guy is not as lonely as a kitten in a tree! He’s having a good time; he really loosens up on “When My Sugar Walks Down The Street.” Even on the slower tunes, like “Smile” he sounds like he knows that this recording is special. When these were originally released, they were his worst selling records. Just goes to show you why reissues are so important.

In 1962, Mathis jettisoned Riddle for then-up-and-coming arranger Don Costa, who does his magic on this double cd set that includes 1962’s Rapture and 63’s Romantically. While the mood is definitely for wooing, the way it’s done here is with taste and sophistication. Mathis is at his Bambi best on “Moonlight In Vermont” and “September Song.” Costa, meanwhile, puts some clever touches on “Getting To Know You” and an autumnal “Stella By Starlight.” Mathis makes a great case on these discs for making you wonder if we really needed the British Invasion in the Kennedy years after all.