Handsome, athletic, gifted with pipes the timbre of Ella Fitzgerald's, Mathis and orchestral collaborators Percy Faith, Ray Conniff, Frank DeVol, and Glenn Osser crafted sparsely orchestrated, delicately sung hits celebrating love's opening moments. Mathis sings convincingly of love's discovery ("Gina," "Maria," the oh-so-good "Small World.") and fear of the unknown ("Chances Are," "It's Not For Me To Say," the definitive vocal "Misty," featuring music's most romantic introduction). Teenagers fell for this music which shared, at best, a thread with rock n' roll; Mathis sung the confusion and exhiliration they felt, only more tenderly.

The 60s-70s film songs (themes from "Star is Born," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Love Story," plus Jimmy Webb's "Didn't We") are well-sung, romantically done filler. They keep up the album's romantic mood, but lack the drama (and bombast)of the Streisand/Williams originals. Better to hear "Wonderful, Wonderful" and even the hokey "What Would My Mary Say?" for the jazz singer Johnny Mathis might have become but (fortunately, for him and us), did not. A classy set, and highly recommended.

20 of 24 found the following review helpful:


Johnny Mathis's Voice Keeps Me Going  Jan 22, 2001
I have almost every album of Johnny Mathis, as well as the "16 Most Requested Songs by Johnny Mathis." Since my husband passed away this past year, and he also loved to hear Johnny sing, I listen to him on CD every morning before I go to work, and as soon as I come home from work. His beautiful voice (with so much sweetness in it) just makes my day and he is just unique. I like many singers, but Johnny Mathis is the very best. One of my biggest wishes is to meet Johnny Mathis in person one day.

Last fall my brother drove me to San Antonio, TX, to hear him in concert at the Magestic Theater. Of course, it was a tremendous thrill for me to hear and see him in person. He is just the best of all, and I love him -- I thank him for being him.

Johnny Mathis, having the voice that he does, has to be a very kind and sweet person. I just love him, and his voice fills a void in my heart.

Thank you, Johnny.

Marcia Hendricks

10 of 11 found the following review helpful:


Mathis the Master  Jun 12, 2000
This album contains the classical Mathis selections, the ones we know him for. It also has some wonderful cuts of songs known from other artists that Johnny records in his own style. Any Mathis fan, in fact any lover of popular music will delight in this album. A hint - listen for the transition from clarinet to Johnny's voice in Misty. It is exquisite!

12 of 14 found the following review helpful:


Johnny Mathis: His cyrstal-clear diction and intimate throb make a romantic swirl of energy and passion!  Dec 16, 2006 By Matthew G. Sherwin
Johnny Mathis had--and still has--an unusual amount of talent; and this CD offers us an excellent assortment of his most requested songs. The quality of the sound is excellent; and Johnny's voice is strong, vibrant and full of energy.

The CD boasts many of Mathis' greatest hits including "Chances Are;" "It's Not For Me To Say;" "Wonderful! Wonderful!;" and "A Certain Smile." Johnny Mathis delivers these romantic ballads with a smooth, velvety voice that makes them more beautiful than most crooners ever could have done. The musical arrangements are all very well constructed.

There are other songs on this CD which, while they are lesser known successes for Mathis, remain great examples of how Johnny made a song so very special with his incredible voice. He performs the song "Evergreen" with great sensitivity; and I especially like the ballad entitled "Misty." There's also the angst-ridden song about a lost love entitled "Didn't We."

Howard Garwood contributes an excellent essay about Johnny's life and career in the liner notes. The lyrics aren't there but you'll hardly need them anyway: Johnny Mathis sings so well with that crystal-clear diction of his that you'll never wonder what he's singing! Terrific!

Johnny Mathis remains one of the greatest American singers of the 20th century. His talents can never be forgotten because his sensitive renditions of all of his songs were flawless. I highly recommend this CD for fans of classic pop vocals. May you get this CD and enjoy it over and over again as I did! SMILE

12 of 14 found the following review helpful:


A voice as smooth as honey  Nov 23, 2000 By G. Sawaged
What a voice! He exudes romance and innocence. I love this cd, and I would have given it 5 stars except for one song..and that is 'What will my Mary say'. Even in the liner notes, Johnny admits it's not one of his favourites either. Even though he does his best with it, it's just not Johnny. He doesn't suit the part of a cheater. But the public seemed to like it, which is why it ended up on his 'Most Requested Songs' cd. But that aside, it is still certainly worth owning.

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