Johnny Mathis ~~ Live ~~ West Side Story Medley

[capatga]

This is surreal ,look at the emotion

[lenoremewton]

@capatga - it is- good word - surreal- to me, he is singing this medley from the 'inside --> out" - i feel that about most of his singing- he gets 'inside' the song- and makes you feel it. Love it.

[chyman]

Johnny Mathis was, in my opinion, at his most sexy and desirable stage in his life. and that voice just peaked with his looks. i tell you, had i been born in 1947 and lived in hollywood, i wouldve nabbed him.

[35777]

@chyman ....You would have to get in line to nab him...lol............I agree, he was at his best in his 40's, so wasn't I....lol

[chyman]

@35777 HAtahahaha

[flodigarry1]

Heart-breakingly beautiful in it's sensitivity. Quite simply adore this man, always have, always will. Thank for giving me the chance to see this.

[lenoremewton]

@flodigarry1 - beautifully put- you can see how wonderful Johnny would have been on the theatre stage- . You're very welcome- please enjoy.,

[gemeyes2]

WOW!!! What does one say after this performance..Johnny Mathis is simply the greatest singer in the world and in this lifetime...we are so blessed to have him with us for all these years..the feelings and emotions he puts in a song.. I have been lucky several times to see him sing live..and what an incredible experience..Just saw him front row seat in Cleveland, Ohio..Wow..and he signed some photos for me too. What a nice man..And handsome too!!

[lenoremewton]

@gemeyes2 - not much- to add. This medley is so precious in it's delivery- one could easily imagine Johnny on a Broadway stage singing this- expressing the heartfelt emotion. Very nice - your recent JM experience. Thanks for sharing.

[beaglemom06]

I am a long time fan of Johnny Mathis, saw him in concert once years ago. The man and his music is timeless.

[lenoremewton]

@beaglemom06 Enjoy- ! Timeless is a wonderful way to describe Johnny's voice-. This is a beautiful medley- and I love his phrasing- .

[mcoble84]

Left me breathless!Thank you! He says he is a singer not an entertainer but he sure is on this video.

[lenoremewton]

@mcoble84 so glad you like it- he is really a singer/actor here- to me- but it's just semantics- he feels the words and expresses them with such respect. enjoy!

[done7ful]

THANK YOU!!! This reminds me of why I have to see him when he comes back to California in December. I just saw him for the first time live in June and I'd never had

an experience like that before. It's his voice and not the "show" that just had me and the audience in AWE!! GOREGOUS VOICE! I can't wait to see him again!

Thank you! I always look forward to your posts!

[lenoremewton]

@done7ful - You're very welcome! Very glad to 'remind' you- you are in good company:). He is- an experience in and of himself- hope you get back to see him. I would love to see him perform in a holiday show- so great for you! Thank you for your kind comment- it's wonderful to know these videos are bringing this kind of joy- makes it all worthwhile.

[mathismagic37]

Lenore - How wonderful. I do have the video of this concert, but it is truly wonderful to see it here on YouTube. You already know how much I love each and every one of his performances. I look forward to seeing more when you can upload them.

MATHIS FOREVER!!!!!

[lenoremewton]

@mathismagic37 Thanks so much- it's great to be able to just click on a piece of the video- here and elsewhere-. I'm hard pressed to find more here that would be different- and while these songs were already up- again- it was the distinctively different delivery that I was focusing on- not repetition. But- i'm always open! Cheers.

[Only69now]

Spellbinding, the most awesome singer in the world ever. All I can do is echo all the great comments of others here. JM has always been my fav vocalist (not to mention handsomest) since he began this fabulous career. I was never blessed to see him in person; so, these videos of him are treasures to me. Thank you lenoremewton for the joy you bring to us all. God bless

[lenoremewton]

@Only69now - i'm so, so glad I chose this one! but as I've said one can't chose a 'bad' one (video)- this one just seems to strike a specific chord- for me- it's Johnny's poetic, 'reverent', delivery- it just goes right to our hearts. And I'm so glad the live videos shared hold such special meaning. I have been terrifically fortunate to see him- albeit I started 'late'- each performance is an 'experience'. You are very welcome and thank you - blessings to you. Enjoy.

[Hetty4u]

Oh Thank You very much

this is soooo beautiful

xxxx

Hetty

[lenoremewton]

@Hetty4u - so glad you like it- as i've said- i'm just so pleased this is bringing so much pleasure to everyone! It's hard to say more- so I will just let the video - and Mr.M - continue to speak for him/itself.:) enjoy

[archer112765]

I will repeat what most have said here, Lenore, Thank you so much for posting this wonderful medley of songs from West side Story.

[lenoremewton]

@archer112765 - Thank you, Bruce, i'm so glad you are enjoying it. Being a singer you appreciate as everyone else does the work it takes to create such magic. Very pleased to share it. Thanks for coming back. Enjoy:)

[Dijon1213]

Thats the real Johnny Mathis............Mathis at his best...............I remember Johnny doing this at his shows back in the 60s and 70s

[lenoremewton]

@Dijon1213 - so, so glad you enjoyed it and it brings back those fabulous memories. He just keeps bringing us more pleasure and these are wonderful treasures. Thank you.

[lenoremewton]

@Dijon1213 - I'd just like to add- that while everyone has more than a 'soft spot' for these wonderful performances of Johnny's from earlier in his career- - as someone who has been fortunate to see him several times in the past few years- the "real' Johnny Mathis shows up every time- and audiences are enthralled beyond measure each time. I know that these pieces do tap special memories though.

[lhasa13]

Lenore, What can I say everything he sings is good. Thank you so much for sharing. I love everything he sings. Sincerly Joan

[lenoremewton]

@lhasa13 - You're so welcome, Joan. I love the distinctive intracasies of his music and delivery. Enjoy:)

[jmsgirlger1]

This is the ultimate Mathis.. "Maria" is a timeless masterpiece..this concert was amazing...and I love the last song"Danke Schon" because John forgot the words but his improvisation was so funny.... what fun we had all those years ago!

[lenoremewton]

@jmsgirlger1 - I agree- it is wonderful. And I forgot to mention - if anyone would like to see the (2) other videos posted from this Germany concert, check out 19rebel57's channel for "Come Running" and "Brazilian Medley"- both wonderful. I love the last song as well and toyed with sharing that one. It's adorable:) Thank you- so glad this re-sparked your fun memories!

[jrmbabe4ever]

WOW!!! This song was well liked during Johnny's concert in the Philippines around 1960. He was so young then and gave a powerful performance of this number, the audience gave him a standing ovation. Brings back memories every time I hear this song by him. Thank you for sharing this to us JM fanatics.

[lenoremewton]

@jrmbabe4ever - I am thrilled with the response to this video- one can't pick one that's not great- but i chose this to showcase the distinctive way Johnny performs the same pieces (West Side Story Medleys and Maria)- they are all wonderful and different - b/c he infuses such expression with each performance. We are learning of standing "O's" all over the world of this medley and Maria. . I'm very pleased to even be able to share it. And, hey, it TAKES a fanatic to know ONE! :) Thank you!

[svnnhshirl]

No words can describe his live performances - only your own inner thoughts and feelings will be remembered, after he sings! The pianist is Jim Barnett, Conductor/Pianist, for Johnny, from 1974-78. I added Jim's name to a video description last year, and he revisited the site, and commented to me, "Thanks, Shirley, for remembering me." I appreciated his comment and he appreciated mine, in return. He deserved the recognition, as do all of the people, who work for Johnny Mathis!

[lenoremewton]

@svnnhshirl - Thank you for mentioning the pianist, Jim Barnett. He was a wonderful accompanist as well as pianist in his own right. How lovely that he had the opportunity to see your 'applause' for him. The 'no man is an island' (while Johnny accapella is a wonder in itself..), those who support him are deserving. I'm always impressed each time I hear him honor his own musicians and those who join him locally at each performance. He clearly respects their gifts.

[19rebel57]

In February 1960, we went to Las Vegas on our HoneyMoon. Johnny Mathis was appearing in the Copa Room, of the Sands Hotel. It was planned that we would be attending his show while there, on that important occasion! Around the middle of his performance, John sang "Maria" .... that was the first time I saw him sing 'Maria" ,,,, and it was stunning! He got a standing ovation, right in the middle of the show, with shouts of Bravo! Soon after, "Maria" became the grand finale of his concerts!!

[lenoremewton]

@19rebel57 Thanks,Maria, for sharing such a lovely memory- you must've been in heaven. It's quite a 'spiritual' experience to hear him sing this. I don't think we could ever run out of adjectives- and then as other say- the rest is what we feel that is indescribable. I can only imagine the thrill you must've had then- and every time you heard it after that.

[777Moonbeam]

Thank you so much for the beautiful video. Johnny has such an enchanting voice and presence.

[lenoremewton]

@777Moonbeam - Thank you- I agree- 'enchanting'- such a perfectly descriptive word for him . So glad you enjoyed it. Lucky us.

[ReadMeReadYou]

When I was growing up and "West Side Story" was so popular (the movie), you'd think Johnny was the only voice from that movie itself which, of course, he wasn't in, but we sang "Maria" and, as far as we were concerned, he was Tony. To this day, if you mention "West Side Story," my generation thinks, Johnny Mathis.

[lenoremewton]

@ReadMeReadYou - thank you for sharing your history with this beautiful music- and the legacy that links this score with Johnny- synonomous. Enjoy.

[wildpoppies]

This medley is epic. I first heard Johnny introduce this into his show at the Westchester Premier Theatre in Tarrytown, NY in the 70's and it remains just as mesmerizing now as it was then. Johnny is beloved for all of his performances, but I believe there has always been something a little different about his West Side Story anthology as it seems to have been divinely messengered just for him alone. He serves the gift well and like no other.

Thank you for your always wonderful presentation.

[lenoremewton]

@wildpoppies - Thank you for your comments- as I said his other expressions /performances of this medley are always exceptional. This particular one is so poignant, rich, vulnerable- classic. I'm glad you like it.

[wildpoppies]

@lenoremewton Yes, and it should not be overlooked that the beginning medley excerpts from the score hold tremendous beauty in and of themselves, giving more power to "Maria". The magnificence of this work by Bernstein/Sondheim, like Mathis, is of an "unrepeatable" kind. Mathis is fantastic for fearlessly changing and evolving, and though his shows may now hold choices equally splendid, it is all well and good because the heart remembers the "unrepeatable" kind for lifetimes and lifetimes.

[lenoremewton]

@wildpoppies Thank you. And, for me what is consistently 'repeatable' about Johnny -and I was thinking of this earlier today- is the utter joy people experience in being in his 'performing presence'. At times it hardly matters what he sings- the experience of him transcends the songs at this point- while beautiful and interesting pieces always matter- make a difference- it is he alone and his evolved essence that captures hearts and lifts our imagination.