Matt Monro: I GET ALONG WITHOUT YOU VERY WELL (1962)

British balladeer Matt Monro (1930-1985) sings "I Get Along Without You Very Well" (written by Hoagy Carmichael). This version is arguably better than Frank Sinatra's classic version. Monro was sometimes called the "British Sinatra," and Sinatra himself praised Monro's talent.

Although Monro achieved only moderate chart success in America, he was very popular internationally, recording hit songs such as the theme songs from the James Bond movie "From Russia With Love" and the film "Born Free." His vocal style influenced many younger singers, including Karen Carpenter, Cass Elliot, and Michael Buble. (Karen is seen briefly at the end of this video "listening" to Matt.)

Compilations of his songs continue to sell well today, more than 20 years after his death, as new generations discover his deep, rich, velvet voice.

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In his 1994 book, "The Carpenters: The Untold Story," Ray Coleman wrote that Karen Carpenter admired Matt Monro so much that she sometimes imitated his pronunciation in the recording studio, for example, pronouncing "you" as "yew." At such times, her brother Richard would tease her that she was on her "Matt Monro kick."

Richard also commented in this book, "We should have been doing a lot more songs of the caliber of 'I Get Along Without You Very Well.'"

This piqued my interest, so I wrote to Richard's website to ask: Did he and Karen actually record a still-unreleased version of this song? Or was he just speaking hypothetically?

Richard Carpenter responded:

"No, not hypothetically. While Karen was in the hospital in New York, I made her some multi-artist cassettes to help her pass the time. On one I put 'I Get Along Without You Very Well' sung by Matt Monro. Karen had always been a fan of his, but had not heard his version of the Hoagy Carmichael standard until this (1982). She called and thanked me for the tape and singled this track out, wanting to sing it herself. Between both our illnesses, we'd lost enough time in the studio and I knew A&M would want us to do new stuff upon our return, so I suggested we pass. Of course, Karen was gone shortly thereafter and I am still upset that we didn't record not only this standard, but any number of others. Karen was born to sing great ballads and, let's face it, they're just not writing too much now that possess much melody or great lyrics."

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Matt Monro photos from:
http://www.mattmonro.com/
http://www.mattmonro.org.uk/

Matt Monro video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1BSCWQaKeE

Richard Carpenter's website:
http://richardandkarencarpenter.com/fans_ask_Archive-All.htm

Category:

Music

Tags:

• matt
• monro
• get
• along
• without
• you
• very
• well
• hoagy
• carmichael
• 1962

[skateitalian]

Personally, I think this is in the top 5 of his finest works. He sings so effortlessly and with such wonderful phrasing. Better tonal quality and control than Sinatra and almost anyone, except maybe Andy Williams.

[OceanKingNY]

This is my all-time favorite recording by Matt. Not only does he hit all the notes perfectly, but he is totally in character as he sings. He seems to "get" the song in a way that few singers do.

[arpeggio1358]

@skateitalian I've heard him called the British Sinatra, but I've always thought of Sinatra as the American Matt Monro. As you say, Monro's voice is so much better than Sinatra's, along with his control and phrasing.

[OceanKingNY]

@arpeggio1358 I would say that the "American Matt Monro" was not Sinatra, but actually Karen Carpenter.  She grew up listening to her parents' Matt Monro records, her lower register was very similar to Matt's, and if you compare their recordings, you can hear that Karen learned much of her phrasing and intonation from Matt.

[east37thstreet]

monro puts more power behind this song than frank, but i still like frank's better

[OceanKingNY]

I know what you mean. Frank's version will always be a pop culture classic, coming from the legendary "In the Wee Small Hours..." album. He captured the emotion of the song perfectly.

But Matt made the song his own, too -- no small feat, considering the competition. His version is much more than a routine cover.

I think that some young people hearing both versions for the first time today might think that Matt's version came first.

[conorjakcl]

beautiful song sung by one of the all time greats 10 out of 10

[JazzRocks]

Matt Monro - a singer's singer. Like Jack Jones. Wonderful interpretation of a gorgeous song.

[zilioziliomais]

Ele foi o cantor da minha juventude, juntamente com Pat Boone, Bom demais recordar. O que se cantam hoje é brincadeira. Bem: Cada tempo no seu tempo.

[TerryComo2010]

@pointreyes6 Your comment proves it is a matter of opinion

[TerryComo2010]

@OceanKingNY Never thought of this but I agree with you.

[coywin]

Another fabulous voice gone too soon. I was living in Europe when I discovered Matt Munro.

[daveybeno]

great voice , but Sinatra's is better, stop comparing they were different singers, Matt was power and tuneful, Frank was emotions and feelings x

[pwnmonkeyisreal]

have u guys heard chet baker's version? it's much more quiet and lonely, but also very good.

[pointreyes6]

Poor arrangement of this amazing tune

[river2walk]

Bing Crosby said Matt Monro's version of this song was '' one of the most beautiful songs I ever heard ''hard to argue with that! A pity then that despite being ranked as one of the very best by Crosby and Sinatra, Matt Monro by all accounts a warm friendly and sentimental man could not settle in America.There is no doubt that not only was Monro Britain's greatest ever singer of ballads, but he was also among the best singers of any era worldwide with album sales of over 100 million to prove it!

[aaflyer98]

Because of Karen Carpenter, I have discovered Matt Munro! Wonderful voice and music.

Wish Karen would have had the opportunity to record this classic and many others.

[bmacphee1]

Sings great, looks like Ricky Gervais