Olé (Johnny Mathis album)

Olé
Studio album by Johnny Mathis
Released	1965
Genre	Pop
Length	32:49
Label	Mercury
Producer	Johnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis chronology
This Is Love (1964) Olé (1965) Love Is Everything (1965)

Olé is the 21st original studio album released by Johnny Mathis. It is his fifth album for Mercury Records.

Overview

Of the many studio albums of Mathis, this is undoubtedly his most unusual, a collection of Latin American songs sung in the original languages. The album shows his gift for language as well as his courage as an artist to experiment with material outside his known style and repertoire. Also, the inclusion of classical music on this album is a testament to Mathis' talent and technique.

The album features arrangements by Allyn Ferguson who served as Mathis' musical director at the time while the orchestra was conducted by Jack Feierman.

Track listing

1. "Granada" (Dorothy Dodd, Agustin Lara) - 3:11
2. "Without You (Tres Palabras)" (Osfvaldo Farres, Ray Gilbert) - 2:45
3. "Medley: Genrique/Felicidade" (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius De Morres) - 4:20
4. "Manhã de Carnaval (Morning of the Carnival)" (Luiz Bonfa) - 3:12
5. "Samba de Orfeu" (Luiz Bonfa, Antonio Maria) - 2:23
6. "La Montaña" (Augusto Alguero) - 3:35
7. "Babalu" (Margarita Lecuana, Bob Russell) - 2:45
8. "Serenata" (Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish) - 3:37
9. "Bachianas Brasileiras, Pt. 1-3" (Heitor Villa-Lobos) - 7:01

Billboard Album Chart

To this point, Mathis had enjoyed an incredibly successful run of hit albums with 25 consecutive entries on the Billboard album chart. This album was his first since 1957 not to place on the chart.

Highlights

For Olé, Mathis chose a selection of Latin American music that ranges from popular songs, film music and light classical songs. "Serenata" with English lyrics had been a hit for Sarah Vaughan while "Babalu" was a signature song for Desi Arnaz who often performed it on the "I Love Lucy" television series.

A notable film from 1959, "Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus)", featured the music of Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes and Luiz Bonfá. From its score come "Manhã de Carnaval (Morning of the Carnival)" and "Samba de Orfeu" both of which are given authentic interpretations in the original Portuguese language.

Moving to the light classical music on the album, "Granada" has long been a favorite of operatic tenors with versions recorded by such luminaries as Franco Corelli and Plácido Domingo. The work of Heitor Villa-Lobos was often performed and recorded by Victoria de los Angeles. For this album, Mathis performs the composer's Bachianas Brasileiras.

References

Stone Temple Pilots make reference to this album's artwork in the hidden track on 1994's Purple.

External links

• All Music Review