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Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams, “You’re All I Need to Get By”: Covers No. 25 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; John Mat; cottonbro studio, MART PRODUCTION, Ron Lach from Pexels; Paul Brennan from Pixabay]In the 25th edition of COVERS (2023), Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams delivers a compelling rendition of “You’re all I Need to Get By.”

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer.  It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 25th edition of COVERS (2023), 🎙 Johnny Mathis and 🎙 Deniece Williams delivers a compelling rendition of 🎵 “You’re All I Need to Get By”, originally performed by 🎙 Marvin Gaye and 🎙 Tammi Terrell.

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Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams, That's What Friends Are For[📷: John Mat]

🎙 Johnny Mathis and 🎙 Deniece Williams = two amazing musicians.  The chemistry when they collaborated, back in 1978, was awesome.  The collab was the album, 💿 That’s What Friends Are For.  A particular musical selection stands out from That’s What Friends Are For, a cover of 🎵 “You’re All I Need to Get By”.  Fittingly, the soul classic, written by 🎼 ✍  Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, and originally performed by 🎙 Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, commences the duets album.  Gaye and Terrell took “You’re All I Need To Get By” to the top 10 of the pop charts 10 years earlier, which tells you what you need to know about the significance of the record.  Notably, Mathis and Williams achieved a dash of pop success too, peaking at no. 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their rendition.

sleepingMathis and Williams do their thing on “You’re All I Need To Get By,” PERIOD! The arrangement and production are sensational.  The active, robust bass line is a big selling point, as is the groove and bright, lush strings.  The vocals speak for themselves. Individually, both sing exuberantly, yielding the right personality for this love-oriented number.  Furthermore, they blend and mesh well when duetting, never overpowering each other.  You buy what the duo is selling. Yes, 🎵 “You’re All I Need to Get By” is a cover, but it’s a dynamic and fun cover in the hands of Mathis and Williams.

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🎙 Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams • 💿 That’s What Friends Are For🏷 John Mat • 🗓 1978

Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams, “You’re All I Need to Get By”: Covers No. 25 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; John Mat; cottonbro studio, MART PRODUCTION, Ron Lach from Pexels; Paul Brennan from Pixabay]

 


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.