ORDERING DETAILS HERE

the 1967 CLASSIC BBC TV CONCERT – TWO GREATS TOGETHER

A TOUCH OF CLASS
When Matt Monro Met Nelson Riddle

Unfortunately, two of the finest performers of popular music only ever actually worked together on one occasion. It was 14 July 1967, a BBC Television concert at the TV Centre, Wood Lane, West London. And what a night it turned out to be. As Matt Monro himself said “It was spectacular”. The event was the brainchild of Vic Lewis. Vic, himself an outstanding band leader in his own right, had been Nelson Riddle’s European manager since 1960. In that capacity he organised several TV and radio shows for Nelson, including being with Sue Raney and Danny Williams plus a concert tour with Shirley Bassey. Therefore it was inevitable that Nelson Riddle, regarded at the time as the finest arranger in the world, should meet up with Matt Monro by a long way Britain’s outstanding vocalist. Two great talents merged together.

Nelson Riddle in the preceding 20 years had worked with the who’s who of outstanding singers – Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, Judy Garland – the list goes on. Nelson had also recorded a number of albums and singles in his own name as well as scoring many films and television series.

Matt Monro first became noticed when his recording of PORTRAIT OF MY LOVE entered the New Musical Express charts in late 1960, reaching number three. This was soon followed up with MY KIND OF GIRL, the lead in baring a strong resemblance to Nelson Riddle’s for Frank Sinatra on SWINGIN’ DOWN THE LANE! Matt was to have a whole string of hits through the early 1960’s including SOFTLY AS I LEAVE YOU, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, WALK AWAY and YESTERDAY. All arranged by Johnny Spence who provided such splendid support for Matt in those days.

It was inevitable that his fame should spread to the USA and he worked on albums with two of the all time greats Billy May and Syd Feller. Matt was dubbed Britain’s Sinatra, but he was more than just that – a top class performer in his own right.

The reel to reel tape of the classic concert had been made by Dick Turpin, a Sinatra Music Society member. Dick passed the tape to former committee member Bryan Officer. Thirty years on Bryan stumbled across the tape in his loft and considered that such a gem should be made available to a wider audience. Thus, this compact disc was born.

Michele Monro, Matt’s daughter, was approached and once some logistical problems were overcome, provided her wholehearted support and offered much useful background detail. Michele runs the Matt Monro Appreciation Society and can be contacted through her website www.mattmonro.com

Vic Lewis was, as ever, a source of information, not to mention composing with Don Black track nine WHEN YOU BECOME A MAN.

The compact disc was re-mastered and re-engineered by Alan Bunting, well known for bringing to life many lost and mutilated recordings from bygone years.

A TOUCH OF CLASS When Matt Monro Met Nelson Riddle NRAS005 is only available to members of the Nelson Riddle Appreciation Society and the Matt Monro Appreciation Society.
ALAN WRIGHT
Nelson Riddle Appreciation Society
April 2006

Available Now

Click Here for Details

PREVIOUS CD's

The Collection

Tesco Exclusive

The Very Best Of

The Singers, Singer

His Finest