Johnny Mathis, San Diego CA, Sunday September 22, 2019
Seeing Johnny Mathis for the first time in concert was everything I expected and so much more. It turned out to be an experience I will always treasure. A week shy of his 84th birthday [[September 30th) the man looks great and sounds wonderful, he has obviously taken great care with his instrument. As a long time fan I expected he would sound good, especially for his age. But I was not quite prepared for how good he sounded period! It was impressive. The notes he could hit, the energy he could summon, his phrasing and the natural volume of his voice were all head-shakingly awesome.
Mathis performed here in San Diego at Copley Symphony Hall an intimate [[2,500) venue. Copley Hall is a classic old theatre [[the Fox) that was saved when the rest of the block was leveled to make way for a high rise. The tower was eventually constructed around the theatre, which when restored became home to the San Diego Symphony. Copley is known for its excellent acoustics, it was the perfect place to see Mathis.
The two-hour show was divided into three parts, first a roughly 45 minute set with Johnny, the 25 piece orchestra, and his rhythm section. Followed by a solo comedy and song set by a member of the entourage and long time Mathis friend [[don’t remember his name, my bad) and a 20 minute intermission. Then Johnny, the orchestra and rhythm section returned for a second 45 minute set that also included Johnny singing accompanied by only the guitarist [[”Yesterday” “You And Me Against The World” “Beware My Foolish Heart”).
During the intermission all you heard was people saying how great he sounded. It was a pretty lively and vocal audience [[old and young), lavishing Johnny with much appreciation and affection. The atmosphere was very congenial, even familial, with signature songs like “The Twelfth Of Never” eliciting unabashed swoons of delight from audience members.
Johnny as always was the consummate gentleman and very unassuming. At the beginning of each of his sets he simply walked onto the stage unannounced and started singing. Mathis enjoys what he does, and it shows, he was having a great time. He was warm, friendly and seemingly very at ease with himself sharing antidotes, etc. Mathis is class personified.
Other songs on the program:
All the hits were there “It’s Not For Me To Say” “Chances Are” “Gina” “Wonderful! Wonderful!” “Wild Is The Wind” “A Certain Smile” “Misty” etc. Some surprises like “I'm On The Outside Looking In” “Betcha By Golly Wow”, some standards like “Stranger In Paradise” “Secret Love” “When I Fall In Love”. A segment devoted to Henry Mancini [[“Days Of Wine And Roses” “Charade” “Moon River” others). He closed with a Brazilian segment that included “Mas Que Nada”. The encore was Louis Jordan’s “Let The Good Times Roll” during which most of the audience was up and dancing.
Full circle note:
My affection for Johnny's music started when I was very young, around six. My mom was crazy on Mathis and the “Heavenly” and “Johnny’s Greatest Hits” albums were always in heavy rotation. She also had a stack of his singles on the dark red and gold Columbia label. Mom went to a Mathis concert here in San Diego around '62/'63 [[I would have been about 12). She kept the hand-out program sheet for the evening and the program book that was on sale in the lobby as mementoes. After she passed, they became mine.
I took the book with me to the concert on the outside chance I might get to meet Mathis and have him autograph it, and maybe even tell him the story behind it. That didn’t happen. But I did get a wall of a man on Johnny’s security team to take the book to him during the intermission. The book was promptly returned to me after the show was over, signed by Mathis. Mom would have got a kick out of that.
