| I'll Buy You a Star | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Johnny Mathis |
| Cover: | I'llBuyYouAStar.jpg |
| Released: | February 27, 1961[1] |
| Recorded: | February 7, 1961 February 10, 1961 February 13, 1961[2] |
| Genre: | Vocal[3] |
| Length: | 41:51 |
| Label: | Columbia |
| Producer: | Irving Townsend |
| Prev Title: | The Rhythms and Ballads of Broadway |
| Prev Year: | 1960 |
| Next Title: | Portrait of Johnny |
| Next Year: | 1961 |
I'll Buy You a Star is an album by American pop singer Johnny Mathis that was released on February 27, 1961,[1] by Columbia Records and was the first of two album collaborations with arranger and conductor Nelson Riddle. This LP includes both ballads and swinging uptempo material throughout a mix of songs that range from the new to the familiar and obscure.
The album made its first appearance on Billboard magazine's album chart in the May 5, 1961, issue and reached number 38 during its 23 weeks there.[4]
The first compact disc release of the album came on May 7, 1996,[5] and included four bonus tracks that were recorded during the sessions for this album and originally released as singles or included on Mathis compilations. The same four tracks were included with this LP on disc one of the two-CD set released on June 9, 2009, while the other disc featured his 1962 project Live It Up!.[6]
Allmusic's Joe Viglione was especially impressed. "The voice of Johnny Mathis is always distinctive and compelling, but when blended with Nelson Riddle,… the results are extraordinary."[3] Viglione pointed out that what set this recording apart "is that there is a smooth continuity of styles, a departure from the usual Mathis formula which would have the singer switching musical genres on many of his albums with only his voice to keep things consistent."[3] As an example he wrote, "Where another '60s LP, So Nice, would blend current Top 40 and show tunes, a combination carried over to Mathis's projects in the '70s, Riddle works on the same level, equally talented and matching Johnny, their skills weaving a texture that creates a superior work of art -- and one without the necessity of a Top 40 hit."[3] He does single out a couple of tracks in particular. "'The Best Is Yet to Come' is sassy and smart, the horns fitting nicely under the singer's perfect vocal instrument. 'Smile' is elegance suspended in space -- the instrumentation and voice swimming together, wrapped in a warm production."[3] He concludes, "It's a fabulous set of recordings for those who appreciate music as art."[3]
In their capsule review at the time of release, Billboard wrote, "Nelson Riddle provides fine backing" and that Mathis "is most effective on the ballads."
Source:[2]