Johnny Mathis - Love Is Blue '1968

Tracks list

After a less than encouraging stint on the Mercury label in the mid-60s,
traditional pop (i.e. easy listening) vocalist Johnny Mathis had returned to his
former home, Columbia Records. Once back, they gave him the JonMat Records
vanity imprint for his output. Love Is Blue (1968) is a typical Mathis
long-player for the time, as the singer doles out readings of then-concurrent
popular chart hits, with a few classics mixed in. Adding immeasurably to the
projects overall sound are arrangements by Robert Mersey -- who had also
contributed to the artists previous long-playing collection, Up, Up and Away
(1967). Enthusiasts of Mathis are treated to his singular vocal styling applied
to a host of familiar material -- most of which doesnt stray too far from the
originals or hit versions. While certainly not depicted or portrayed as a
concept or tribute album, nearly half of the platter contains songs penned by
the formidable team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. These include the opener I
Say a Little Prayer -- with a slight lyrical alteration from ...put on my
makeup... to ...get shaved and set up... -- as well as The Look of Love, Dont Go
Breaking My Heart, and Walk on By. Jimmy Webb -- who was supplying chart-toppers
to the likes of the Fifth Dimension and Glen Campbell -- is the source for By
the Time I Get to Phoenix. When compared to Campbell, Mathis imbues the material
with a more understated and subtle empathy. Perhaps the entry that is most
dissimilar to its origins is the update of the Beatles -- or more accurately
Paul McCartneys -- Here, There and Everywhere. The slowed tempo and copious
orchestration turn the melody into an epic torch song, as opposed to the less
heavy-handed treatment heard on the Beatles Revolver (1966). On the other hand,
Never My Love -- a sizable side for the Association in the early fall of 1967 --
retains a similarly light and otherwise unaffected overhaul. Several of the
discs highlights are left until the end with Moon River arguably besting Andy
Williams on sheer emotive tone. Another definite upgrade is Venus -- the ballad
that Frankie Avalon sent to the top of the Pop Singles survey in 1959. Here it
is served with decidedly more soul than saccharine. Perhaps wanting to save one
the of the best inclusions for the conclusion, the title track, Love Is Blue, is
tagged on at the very end. Paul Mauriats upbeat Baroque flavor is all but
forgotten as Mathis chooses passion over strictly pop in his excellent delivery.
As is the case with much of his output of the era, exactly which the listener
prefers is more a matter of personal taste than the effectiveness of the
interpretation. In 2009, Collectors Choice Music paired Love Is Blue with
another late-60s Mathis LP Up, Up and Away (1967) -- both made available for the
first time in several decades.

Tracklist:
 01. Johnny Mathis - I Say a Little Prayer (02:15)
 02. Johnny Mathis - By the Time I Get to Phoenix (03:16)
 03. Johnny Mathis - The Look of Love (03:42)
 04. Johnny Mathis - Dont Go Breakin My Heart (02:21)
 05. Johnny Mathis - Here, There and Everwhere (03:35)
 06. Johnny Mathis - Never My Love (02:39)
 07. Johnny Mathis - Moon River (From Breakfast at Tiffanys) (03:06)
 08. Johnny Mathis - Walk On By (03:01)
 09. Johnny Mathis - Venus (02:37)
 10. Johnny Mathis - Love Is Blue (03:12)

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