Romantically (Johnny Mathis album)
Encyclopedia
Romantically is the twentieth album released by traditional pop vocalist Johnny Mathis
. It was his sixteenth original studio album with four compilations of hit singles having been released by the singer at this point. It is also the final original studio album recorded by the singer for Columbia Records
prior to his moving to Mercury Records
. Mathis had recorded exclusively for Columbia Records
from 1956–1963. After a brief stint with Mercury Records
, Mathis would return to Columbia Records
in 1967.
, Mathis is heard on a program of songs reminiscent of any number of his preceding albums. The songs range from standards, Broadway
and movie songs through to a number of rare items resulting in a fine representation of the singer at this point in his career.
stage come two songs penned by Rodgers and Hammerstein
, "Getting To Know You
" from 1951's "The King And I
" and "The Sound of Music
" from the 1959 show of the same name. Also from Broadway
comes "September Song
" from 1938's "Knickerbocker Holiday
". Interestingly the 1953 film "Lili
" featured the song "Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
". When the story of that film was used for the 1961 show "Carnival!
", "Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
" was replaced in the score with "Theme from "Carival!"
". Mathis sings both these songs on this album. Standards included on this set include Harold Arlen
's "It's Only a Paper Moon
", another nod to two of Mathis' musical heroes, Nat King Cole
and Ella Fitzgerald
. Fitzgerald also recorded "Moonlight In Vermont
" and "Autumn in New York
" as did Frank Sinatra
. Mathis sings both here in beautifully realised performances.
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...
. It was his sixteenth original studio album with four compilations of hit singles having been released by the singer at this point. It is also the final original studio album recorded by the singer for 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...
prior to his moving to Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
. Mathis had recorded exclusively for 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...
from 1956–1963. After a brief stint with Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
, Mathis would return to 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...
in 1967.
Overview
Collaborating for a third time on album with arranger/conductor Don CostaDon Costa
Don Costa was an American pop music arranger and record producer, best known for his work with Frank Sinatra.-Career:...
, Mathis is heard on a program of songs reminiscent of any number of his preceding albums. The songs range from standards, Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
and movie songs through to a number of rare items resulting in a fine representation of the singer at this point in his career.
Track listing
- "Getting To Know YouGetting to Know You (song)"Getting to Know You" is a show tune from the 1951 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I. It was first sung by Gertrude Lawrence in the original Broadway production and later by Marni Nixon who dubbed for Deborah Kerr in the 1956 film adaptation...
" – 3:11 - "Moonlight Becomes YouMoonlight Becomes You*"Moonlight Becomes You" , a 1942 popular song by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke*Moonlight Becomes You , a 1994 album by Willie Nelson*Moonlight Becomes You , a 1998 TV-movie starring Donna Mills...
" – 3:40 - "Hi-Lili, Hi-LoHi-Lili, Hi-Lo"Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo" is a popular song with music by Bronislau Kaper, and lyrics by Helen Deutsch. The song was published in 1952. The song was featured in the movie Lili which starred Leslie Caron.-Recorded versions:...
" – 3:30 - "Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love)Friendly Persuasion (song)"Friendly Persuasion" is a popular song with music by Dimitri Tiomkin and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. It was published in 1956 and appeared in the 1956 film of the same name.The best-known version of the song was recorded that year by Pat Boone...
" – 3:51 - "Autumn In New YorkAutumn in New YorkAutumn in New York may refer to:* "Autumn in New York" , a jazz standard composed by Vernon Duke in 1934*Autumn in New York , a 2000 romance-drama directed by Joan Chen and starring Richard Gere, Winona Ryder and Anthony LaPaglia...
" – 4:50 - "In Wisconsin" – 3:15
- "All That Is Missing" – 2:58
- "The Sound of MusicThe Sound of Music (song)“The Sound of Music” is the title song from The Sound of Music, composed by Richard Rodgers to lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It was originally sung by Mary Martin in the 1959 stage musical of the same name. It was sung by Julie Andrews in the 1961 film, with a reprise by the Von Trapp family...
" – 3:22 - "Theme from "Carnival!"Love Makes the World Go 'Round (1961 song)"Love Makes the World Go 'Round" is a popular song written by Bob Merrill for the 1961 for the musical Carnival! which debuted on Broadway in 1961....
" – 2:33 - "Too Young To Go Steady" – 3:42
- "It's Only a Paper MoonIt's Only a Paper Moon (song)"It's Only a Paper Moon" is a popular song. Published in 1933, it was written by Harold Arlen with lyrics by E. Y. Harburg and Billy Rose. It was written originally for an unsuccessful Broadway play called The Great Magoo, set in Coney Island. It was subsequently used in the movie Take a Chance, in...
" – 3:53 - "September SongSeptember Song"September Song" is an American pop standard composed by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson, introduced by Walter Huston in the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday. It has since been recorded by numerous singers and instrumentalists...
" – 4:07
Billboard Album Chart
This was Mathis' nineteenth consecutive charting album peaking at #23 on the Billboard album chart in its original release.Highlights
From the BroadwayBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
stage come two songs penned by Rodgers and Hammerstein
Rodgers and Hammerstein
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II were a well-known American songwriting duo, usually referred to as Rodgers and Hammerstein. They created a string of popular Broadway musicals in the 1940s and 1950s during what is considered the golden age of the medium...
, "Getting To Know You
Getting to Know You (song)
"Getting to Know You" is a show tune from the 1951 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I. It was first sung by Gertrude Lawrence in the original Broadway production and later by Marni Nixon who dubbed for Deborah Kerr in the 1956 film adaptation...
" from 1951's "The King And I
The King and I
The King and I is a stage musical, the fifth by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The work is based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon and derives from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who became governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in...
" and "The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music (song)
“The Sound of Music” is the title song from The Sound of Music, composed by Richard Rodgers to lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It was originally sung by Mary Martin in the 1959 stage musical of the same name. It was sung by Julie Andrews in the 1961 film, with a reprise by the Von Trapp family...
" from the 1959 show of the same name. Also from Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
comes "September Song
September Song
"September Song" is an American pop standard composed by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson, introduced by Walter Huston in the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday. It has since been recorded by numerous singers and instrumentalists...
" from 1938's "Knickerbocker Holiday
Knickerbocker Holiday
Knickerbocker Holiday is a musical written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson ; it was directed by Joshua Logan. Among the songs introduced was the "September Song", now considered a pop standard.- History :...
". Interestingly the 1953 film "Lili
Lili
Lili is an American film. An MGM release, it stars Leslie Caron as a touchingly naïve French girl, whose emotional relationship with a carnival puppeteer is conducted through the medium of four puppets...
" featured the song "Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
"Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo" is a popular song with music by Bronislau Kaper, and lyrics by Helen Deutsch. The song was published in 1952. The song was featured in the movie Lili which starred Leslie Caron.-Recorded versions:...
". When the story of that film was used for the 1961 show "Carnival!
Carnival!
Carnival is a 1961 musical with the book by Michael Stewart and music and lyrics by Bob Merrill. The musical is based on the 1953 film Lili.-Background:...
", "Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
"Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo" is a popular song with music by Bronislau Kaper, and lyrics by Helen Deutsch. The song was published in 1952. The song was featured in the movie Lili which starred Leslie Caron.-Recorded versions:...
" was replaced in the score with "Theme from "Carival!"
Love Makes the World Go 'Round (1961 song)
"Love Makes the World Go 'Round" is a popular song written by Bob Merrill for the 1961 for the musical Carnival! which debuted on Broadway in 1961....
". Mathis sings both these songs on this album. Standards included on this set include Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen was an American composer of popular music, having written over 500 songs, a number of which have become known the world over. In addition to composing the songs for The Wizard of Oz, including the classic 1938 song, "Over the Rainbow,” Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the...
's "It's Only a Paper Moon
It's Only a Paper Moon (song)
"It's Only a Paper Moon" is a popular song. Published in 1933, it was written by Harold Arlen with lyrics by E. Y. Harburg and Billy Rose. It was written originally for an unsuccessful Broadway play called The Great Magoo, set in Coney Island. It was subsequently used in the movie Take a Chance, in...
", another nod to two of Mathis' musical heroes, 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...
and Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
. Fitzgerald also recorded "Moonlight In Vermont
Moonlight in Vermont
Moonlight in Vermont can refer to:*Moonlight in Vermont , a 1943 film*"Moonlight in Vermont" , a popular song best known in a recording by Margaret Whiting with Billy Butterfield's Orchestra...
" and "Autumn in New York
Autumn in New York
Autumn in New York may refer to:* "Autumn in New York" , a jazz standard composed by Vernon Duke in 1934*Autumn in New York , a 2000 romance-drama directed by Joan Chen and starring Richard Gere, Winona Ryder and Anthony LaPaglia...
" as did Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
. Mathis sings both here in beautifully realised performances.