AMG Review of Gold: A 50th Anniversary Celebration

John Bush
All Music Guide

On the 50th anniversary of his first release, Johnny Mathis personally assembled and notated this collection of hits from throughout his career. Beginning, as it should, with a baker's dozen of recordings from his prime era of the '50s, Gold: A 50th Anniversary Celebration includes nearly all of his best work (although it skips his '60s and '70s material). Also, standing alongside his most popular songs -- "Chances Are," "Wonderful! Wonderful!," "It's Not for Me to Say," "When Sunny Gets Blue," and "Misty" -- the compilation includes a pair of previously unreleased items. The first, "So Many Stars," was recorded in 1989 with Sergio Mendes behind the desk; it's a warm Brazilian ballad that betrays a few period touches. The second is a beautiful version of "The Shadow of Your Smile," recorded in 2006 with Chris Botti and Dave Koz.