Johnny Mathis at @San Jose Civic 9 24
Highline Gina, let it be me, ?2
Henry Mabcini tri ute
Who Momenyt v
Second half
Strangers in Paradise , secret love, a crowd fa orite
A certain smile
Brazil really showed Mathis versatility
Betcha by golly wow broght him a little current, perhaps thebonlybsong he sung post 1963-
But bigbsurprise of the night was Mathis ending show with A rocking Ray Charles big band number, let rhe goos times roll, - and he certainly ha d the band . Mathisbis one of a few pop artists t hat performs with full orchestras-or close to it, as well as his own rythmn section including his drummer of 40 years.
It was fun to see for I ce the usually placid Mathis really rock out, and the crowd at San Joae Civic loved it
The other of many highlitsbwas his performing with justa suits tip notch guitarist for about five so ngs near the end. The sound quality was impeccable and it showcased Mathis' still strong voice without the orher competi g instrums ts .
I blistered ckosedly tobtheb lyrics to all the so gs ,for the first time. Once comes away with confirmation that Mathis is pure Romantic. His somgs are often about unrequited love and love gone wrong and yearning for perhaps the impossible , eg Stranger in Paradise.
M
But Romantic .using of the 50s and 60s always seemed idealized AND often with imaginary lovers and unrealistic certainly by today's standards. But it was fun to fantasize. Isn't escape really what it's all about. Few ever meet that dream girl or boywe heard about so often I the lyricsbof the old so gs, thi k Bobbybdarins 'Dream Lover,' or the broken roys'and others 'Dream Girl'. At least there was hope back then. Eve. If only I. A song. Today such romantic ballads hardly exist .
Misty was a other great rowd pleaser coming near the end
Mathis seemed to perform all the. BIg hits during g y his near 2 hour show- alo g with.ost secondary hits
MAthism is quite the throwback, not oN ly IN Romanticism but lack of effect. Most of the show was just Mathis singing while walking back and forth with an occasional ha d gesture. No gimmicks. Just the different styles of music speaki.g for themselves es- and almost all pre-70s. No digital gimmicks or politics. Just good old fashioned melodi. Music performed beautifully. When's the last time you could say t gat
In Mathis ' extensive , loving tribute to Mancini In which he sang a half dozen standards and lesser known Songs,
He sang one about
Treasure g, perhaps one of theose idealized lovers ' minute by minute.'
There sbsokethimg to be Said about savoring everyday, if not minute- and the few still active performers -all now in their 80-
Maybe he's tired born Hannes are, hos biggest hit, aabhebperdormed itbamongbopenimg nimbers
Mathis also gave us his interpretations of Beatles' “Yesterday, ',one of the high points accompanied only by guitar, ” “When I Fall in Love,' which he calls his calls his most personal song, “Let It Be Me,” and “Betcha by Golly, Wow!”
He had the audience swaying to the samba beat of “Mas Que Nada” and an unbelievable rendition of “Brazil” which ended the show until a most desired encore of “Let The Good Times Roll.”
The wonderful orchestra was led by Scott Lavender. Before intermission, the comedian and musician, Gary Muledeer entertained the audience with his humor and his impersonation of Johnny Cash. Muledeer ended his performance with “Mothers Don’t Let Your Sons Grow Up to be Cowboys.”
Spending the evening with the incomparable Johnny Mathis was truly “Wonderful, Wonderful.”
Approx set list
Setlist
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When I Fall in Love
(Victor Young and His Orchestra cover)
Play Video
Morning of My Life
(Bee Gees cover)
Play Video
It's Not for Me to Say
Play Video
Chances Are
Play Video
I'm on the Outside (Looking In)
(Little Anthony & the Imperials cover)
Play Video
Wild Is the Wind
Play Video
Oh Shenandoah
([traditional] cover)
Play Video
Let It Be Me
(Gilbert Bécaud cover)
Play Video
Let Go
Play Video
It Had Better Be Tonight (Meglio Stasera)
(Henry Mancini cover)
Play Video
Two for the Road
(Henry Mancini cover)
Play Video
Charade
(Henry Mancini cover)
Play Video
Days of Wine and Roses
(Henry Mancini cover)
Play Video
Moment to Moment
(Henry Mancini cover)
Play Video
Moon River
(Henry Mancini cover)
Play Video
Second set following intermission with comedian Gary Mueldeer. Johnny changed suits.
Pure Imagination
(Gene Wilder cover)
Play Video
Sands of Time
(George Forrest & Robert Wright cover)
Play Video
Baubles, Bangles and Beads
(George Forrest & Robert Wright cover)
Play Video
Stranger in Paradise
(George Forrest & Robert Wright cover)
Play Video
Secret Love
(Doris Day cover)
Play Video
A Certain Smile
(Sammy Fain & Paul Francis Webster cover)
Play Video
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Play Video
Betcha by Golly, Wow
(The Stylistics cover)
Play Video
Misty
(Erroll Garner cover)
Play Video
Yesterday
(The Beatles cover)
Play Video
You and Me Against the World
(Paul Williams cover)
Play Video
My Foolish Heart
(Victor Young cover)
Play Video
99 Miles From L.A.
(Albert Hammond cover)
The Twelfth of Never
Mas que nada
(Jorge Ben Jor cover)
Brazil
Let the Good Times Roll
(Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five cover)
(Outro)