Open Fire, Two Guitars
Encyclopedia
Open Fire, Two Guitars is the eighth album released by legendary singer Johnny Mathis
. Of his recordings, it is his seventh original studio album (his fifth album was the compilation "Johnny's Greatest Hits
.")
and Tony Mottola
plus an upright bass (Frank Carroll on nine of the tracks, Milt Hinton
the rest) for rhythmic support. This allows the purity, sensitivity and sheer beauty of the Mathis voice to shine through. The album is a testament to the statue of Mathis in 1959 that Columbia Records
allowed him to make an album outside the proven formula of his previous albums as well as the courage of the artist in allowing his vocal instrument to be so completely exposed without the security of the full orchestra. Quite a feat for a 23-year-old singer with only 2 years of recording experience behind him. The result is an artistic triumph for Mathis and the album remains one of his most treasurable among his legion of fans.
are featured on this released ("In The Still Of The Night
" and "I Concentrate on You
.") Mathis explores the work of George Gershwin
and Ira Gershwin
with "Embraceable You
" while dipping into the repertoire of his musical hero Nat King Cole
with "When I Fall In Love
." For the first time, Mathis interprets a song by Richard Rodgers
and Lorenz Hart
giving a stunning performance of "My Funny Valentine
." The album opens with "Two Guitars" from the team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller known for their many hits songs including a number of classics written for Mathis' contemporary Elvis Presley
.
Johnny Mathis
John Royce "Johnny" Mathis is an American singer of popular music. Starting his career with singles of standards, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the Billboard charts...
. Of his recordings, it is his seventh original studio album (his fifth album was the compilation "Johnny's Greatest Hits
Johnny's Greatest Hits
Johnny's Greatest Hits is the fifth album release by vocalist Johnny Mathis and the first compilation of his hit singles released by Columbia Records in 1958...
.")
Overview
In a major departure from all his previous albums, Mathis sings with the backing of two guitars played by Al CaiolaAl Caiola
Al Caiola is a guitarist who plays jazz, country, rock, western, and pop music. He has been both a studio musician and stage performer...
and Tony Mottola
Tony Mottola
Tony Mottola was an American guitarist who released dozens of solo albums. Mottola was born in Kearny, New Jersey, and died in Denville, New Jersey.-Career:...
plus an upright bass (Frank Carroll on nine of the tracks, Milt Hinton
Milt Hinton
Milton John "Milt" Hinton , "the dean of jazz bass players," was an American jazz double bassist and photographer. He was nicknamed "The Judge".-Biography:...
the rest) for rhythmic support. This allows the purity, sensitivity and sheer beauty of the Mathis voice to shine through. The album is a testament to the statue of Mathis in 1959 that Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
allowed him to make an album outside the proven formula of his previous albums as well as the courage of the artist in allowing his vocal instrument to be so completely exposed without the security of the full orchestra. Quite a feat for a 23-year-old singer with only 2 years of recording experience behind him. The result is an artistic triumph for Mathis and the album remains one of his most treasurable among his legion of fans.
Track listing
- "Open FireOpen FireOpen Fire is the first live album by American hard rock/heavy metal band Y&T, released in 1985 through A&M Records. It was recorded in the same year....
" - 3:52 - "Bye Bye BlackbirdBye Bye Blackbird"Bye, Bye, Blackbird" is a song published in 1926 by the American composer Ray Henderson and lyricist Mort Dixon. It is considered a popular standard and was first recorded by Gene Austin in 1926.- Song information :...
" - 4:07 - "In The Still Of The NightIn the Still of the NightIn the Still of the Night may refer to:* In the Still of the Night, a 1932 popular song by Hoagy Carmichael and Jo Trent* In the Still of the Night, a 1937 popular song by Cole Porter...
" - 2:35 - "Embraceable YouEmbraceable You"Embraceable You" is a popular song, with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin. The song was originally written in 1928 for an unpublished operetta named East is West. It was eventually published in 1930 and included in the Broadway musical Girl Crazy. where it was performed by...
" - 3:28 - "I'll Be Seeing YouI'll Be Seeing You (song)"I'll Be Seeing You" is a popular song, with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Irving Kahal. Published in 1938, the song was inserted into the Broadway musical Right This Way, which closed after fifteen performances. The song is a jazz standard, and has been covered by countless musicians.The...
" - 4:26 - "TenderlyTenderly"Tenderly" is a popular song published in 1946 with music by Walter Gross and lyrics by Jack Lawrence.Copyright 1946 by Edwin H. Morris & Company, Inc....
" - 2:58 - "When I Fall In LoveWhen I Fall in Love"When I Fall in Love" is a 1952 popular song recorded by many artists.When I Fall in Love may also refer to:* When I Fall in Love , an album by Chris Botti, with a version of the 1952 song...
" - 4:31 - "I Concentrate on YouI Concentrate on You"I Concentrate on You" is a song written by Cole Porter for the 1940 film Broadway Melody of 1940, where it was introduced by Douglas McPhail.-Notable recordings:...
" - 3:16 - "Please Be KindPlease Be Kind"Please Be Kind" is a 1938 song composed by Saul Chaplin with lyrics by Sammy Cahn.-Notable recordings:*Mildred Bailey - *June Christy - Cool Christy *Ella Fitzgerald - Songs in a Mellow Mood and the MCA release "Ella & Ellis"....
" - 3:24 - "You'll Never KnowYou'll Never Know"You'll Never Know" is a popular song. The music was written by Harry Warren and the lyrics by Mack Gordon, based on a poem written by a young Oklahoma war bride named Dorothy Fern Norris....
" - 4:07 - "I'm Just A Boy In Love" - 2:44
- "My Funny ValentineMy Funny Valentine"My Funny Valentine" is a show tune from the 1937 Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart musical Babes in Arms in which it was introduced by former child star Mitzi Green...
" - 3:37
Billboard Album Chart
The album was yet another sales bonanza for Mathis peaking at #4 on the Billboard album chart in its original release despite the pared down backings.Highlights
As had been the case on a number of previous albums, the songs of Cole PorterCole Porter
Cole Albert Porter was an American composer and songwriter. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, he defied the wishes of his domineering grandfather and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theatre...
are featured on this released ("In The Still Of The Night
In the Still of the Night
In the Still of the Night may refer to:* In the Still of the Night, a 1932 popular song by Hoagy Carmichael and Jo Trent* In the Still of the Night, a 1937 popular song by Cole Porter...
" and "I Concentrate on You
I Concentrate on You
"I Concentrate on You" is a song written by Cole Porter for the 1940 film Broadway Melody of 1940, where it was introduced by Douglas McPhail.-Notable recordings:...
.") Mathis explores the work of George Gershwin
George Gershwin
George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
and Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century....
with "Embraceable You
Embraceable You
"Embraceable You" is a popular song, with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin. The song was originally written in 1928 for an unpublished operetta named East is West. It was eventually published in 1930 and included in the Broadway musical Girl Crazy. where it was performed by...
" while dipping into the repertoire of his musical hero Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres...
with "When I Fall In Love
When I Fall in Love
"When I Fall in Love" is a 1952 popular song recorded by many artists.When I Fall in Love may also refer to:* When I Fall in Love , an album by Chris Botti, with a version of the 1952 song...
." For the first time, Mathis interprets a song by Richard Rodgers
Richard Rodgers
Richard Charles Rodgers was an American composer of music for more than 900 songs and for 43 Broadway musicals. He also composed music for films and television. He is best known for his songwriting partnerships with the lyricists Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II...
and Lorenz Hart
Lorenz Hart
Lorenz "Larry" Milton Hart was the lyricist half of the famed Broadway songwriting team Rodgers and Hart...
giving a stunning performance of "My Funny Valentine
My Funny Valentine
"My Funny Valentine" is a show tune from the 1937 Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart musical Babes in Arms in which it was introduced by former child star Mitzi Green...
." The album opens with "Two Guitars" from the team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller known for their many hits songs including a number of classics written for Mathis' contemporary Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
.
External links
- [ All Music Review]