Johnny Mathis - Open Fire, Two Guitars (2015) [Hi-Res]

Open Fire, Two Guitars is the eighth album released by legendary singer Johnny Mathis. Of his recordings, it is his seventh original studio album. In a major departure from all his previous albums, Mathis sings with the backing of two guitars played by Al Caiola and Tony Mottola plus an upright bass (Frank Carroll on nine of the tracks, Milt Hinton the rest) for rhythmic support. This allows the purity, sensitivity and sheer beauty of the Mathis voice to shine through.

„The open fire of the title is a warm hearth, not an invitation to gunplay. On this 1959 album, Johnny Mathis creates an atmosphere of fireside intimacy by dispensing with his usual orchestral accompaniment so that the purity of his voice entices the listener's full attention. Al Caiola and Tony Mattola play the two guitars that supplement Mathis' crooning, with an upright bass providing the album's only other instrument. Producer Mitch Miller is often associated with gimmicky or novelty productions, but his work on Open Fire, Two Guitars is perfectly understated, emphasizing the gentle caress of Mathis' voice over the relaxed counterpoint of the two guitars. The songs give prominence to the pop standards of Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter, and the Gershwins, but the title track, 'Open Fire,' is a new composition by Leiber & Stoller. The album's effect seems nearly a cappella at times, but 'In the Still of the Night' finds Mathis intoning the lyrics over gently rhythmic guitar figures that educe new harmonic complexities from a well-known song. The enduring popularity of Open Fire, Two Guitars is attributable in part to its hypnotic aura of closeness and confidentiality, but also to the simple instrumentation that appeals to many rock-era listeners' preference for guitars over orchestral arrangements.“ (Greg Adams, AMG)

'...A minimal backing of two acoustic guitars and bass provide a warm, intimate setting for Mathis' wistfully tremulous singing style and the extraordinary range, depth and delicacy of his delivery. The selections of lilting ballads from Leiber & Stoller, George & Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter is similarly faultless.' (Q-Magazine)

Johnny Mathis, guitar, vocals
Al Caiola, guitar
Tony Mottola, guitar
Frank Carroll, bass
Milt Hinton, bass

Recorded January 1959
Engineered by Cliff Morris, Robert Waller, Harold Chapman
Produced by Mitch Miller

Digitally remastered

Tracklist:
01. Johnny Mathis - Open Fire (Album Version) (3:48)
02. Johnny Mathis - Bye Bye Blackbird (Album Version) (4:05)
03. Johnny Mathis - In The Still Of The Night (Album Version) (2:30)
04. Johnny Mathis - Embraceable You (Album Version) (3:24)
05. Johnny Mathis - I'll Be Seeing You (Album Version) (4:25)
06. Johnny Mathis - Tenderly (Album Version) (2:55)
07. Johnny Mathis - When I Fall In Love (4:28)
08. Johnny Mathis - I Concentrate On You (Album Version) (3:13)
09. Johnny Mathis - Please Be Kind (Album Version) (3:20)
10. Johnny Mathis - You'll Never Know (Album Version) (4:01)
11. Johnny Mathis - I'm Just A Boy In Love (Album Version) (2:38)
12. Johnny Mathis - My Funny Valentine (Album Version) (3:32)