Customer Reviews

Catch a Rising Star / Encore

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My daughter just purchased this CD and another from here...I received them today. They are a Birthday gift for me. My old LP's have worn out and are scratched, and receiving these was a wonder to behold. John's voice is as beautiful as the day he sang them..without echo chambers and "maniuplation" that is so common with "singers" these days. John was one of those rare singers who when you heard him "in person" the voice was as perfect as his recordings, in fact it was even better. I was lucky enough to hear him perform in person a number of times during his career. He is much missed by all his fans. friends and family.

The first album which was Mr. Gary's first LP recording "CATCH A RISING STAR" was probably one of his best. "ONCE UPON A TIME" is a signature piece of Mr. Gary's and is timeless and lovely. "YELLOW BIRD" is a playful calypso song with two part harmony...the two parts being Mr. Gary's wonderous voice. "UNCHAINED MELODY" is probably the most beautiful rendition of that often over recorded song. Rumor has it that this was "THE KINGS" favorite version. "EBB TIDE" another song which isn't sung enough. "MORE" was another song that Mr. Gary often sung on stage.

His second LP was "ENCORE" and that was another masterpice of music and more Marty Gould's perfect arrangments for Mr. Gary's 3 octave voice. This contains many songs that were not often sung by the pop singers of the 60's and 70's. Many movie themes and award winning songs,including the haunting "STELLA BY STARLIGHT" which evokes such tender feelings of love. Two songs from "KISMET' are here both of which are very complex and need to be sung by a singer with a broad vocal range. "AND THIS IS MY BELOVED" and "STRANGER IN PARADISE". I also hope that they release more double LP's especially "SPANISH MOONLIGHT". Alas..this is edited, I e-mailed the makers of these CD's and they say as of this time no more John Gary CD's in the works....DARN.

These double CD's are what all John Gary fans have been waiting for and we thank the publishers.

"Catch a Rising Star" was the first of John Gary's albums and, I think, still represents some of his finest work. What a boon it is to have him back in circulation again on CD! I'll challenge anyone to listen to John's version of "Unchained Melody" and not be moved. He starts out simple and direct, with just a background guitar; increases the intensity with power to spare, and then drifts quietly somewhere off into the stratosphere! In John Gary's hands a song becomes an experience and you find yourself getting caught up in the lyrics even if you've heard them dozens of times before. And he negotiates that 3-octave range with such ease - rising from a warm bronzed baritone to a pure, natural tenor.

Gary was born to serve the love song and there is a rich sampling of them here: "Ebb Tide", "Somewhere Along the Way", "Once Upon a Time", and "Till" - to name just a few, backed by Marty Gold's always inspired orchestral backgrounds.

If you love classic love songs or if you're just being introduced to them (let's hear it for a long overdue revival of the love song in this country!); if lyrics really matter to you, you owe it to yourself to check out John Gary. Once he draws you in, with one listen you'll be hooked!

This is the third of three great 2fers released by Collectables Records and may I add, much anticipated. John Gary's popularity came during the 60's and has endured time. Let the myths that his music would not be marketable or profitable be ended; the masses have waited for his albums on CD. (Hoping the distributors will make a "2fer" out of his "Spanish Moonlight" and "Country & Western Favorites" albums next!) The remastering of these wonderful old songs is impeccable, as is any of the work that Collectables does (their work on Andy Williams' catalog stands among some of the best reissues on the market in years). But on to the music: John's soaring vocals on YELLOW BIRD and STELLA BY STARLIGHT are highlights and among John's very best recordings. But it is his work on two songs made famous by the Righteous Brothers, EBB TIDE and UNCHAINED MELODY that will absolutely floor you. John's trademark three octave vocals are at their most sensuous and brilliant here. John's arrangers on these two albums are to be commended as well.
THE POSSUM SONG is a cute bit of folk art, written by John Gary himself! He has fun with that one, and you will too. I must name my favorite on the first sides as SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY. With John's sweeping vocal, the arrangement harkens one back to a ballroom affair, complete with a sumptuous trumpet solo (wish I knew who it was!) The ENCORE sides are just as good, and we even find John with a pretty good crack at "swinging" OL' MAN RIVER, but in my opinion he was best to stick with ballads, because his voice was too beautiful to "go fast". Other songs of note here are the lovely TENDER IS THE NIGHT, the touching A BEAUTIFUL THING and the great IT'S BEEN GRAND KNOWING YOU. Please check out the other two "2fers" from the Collectables label, for at long last we have some of John Gary's greatest albums on CD format. This is music that you will thoroughly enjoy for years to come.

John Gary could sing a song and interpret it in such a way that you'd swear you never heard anything so beautiful before. His three octave voice shows on this two-fer CD which give us all the tracks from two of his early record albums entitled Catch A Rising Star and Encore.

"My Kind Of Girl" has a catchy melody as John sings wonderfully of the girl he likes to be with. The brass enhances the natural beauty of this beautiful and the key changes are sublime! John sings "My Kind Of Girl" flawlessly! "Your Cheatin' Heart" proves John could carry a country melody very well; he sings this with great sensitivity and the musical arrangement makes good use of the piano. How's about those strings on "Your Cheatin' Heart," too?

"Yellow Bird" gets the usual Latin treatment in the musical arrangement; but Gary sings this so well he makes his interpretation the definitive rendition of "Yellow Bird." I like the percussion and the flute works well for this number. "Unchained Melody" shines like gold as John Gary sings this passionately with all his heart and soul. The guitar, brass and strings add to "Unchained Melody" to make this a great number.

"More" opens with John Gary singing a portion of the song as a creative intro; and when the actual number starts John Gary's performance really takes off! The strings work well on "More;" and I like the effect created by the brass, too. "Tender Is The Night" opens with a great musical flourish; and John comes in to sing this flawlessly. The strings have a great arrangement on "Tender Is The Night," too. Moreover, "Melodie D'Amour (Melody Of Love)" sports another Latin beat as John sings this without a superfluous note. Great percussion on "Melodie D'Amour (Melody Of Love)," too!

John Gary tackles "Ol' Man River" with a faster than usual tempo; and his excellent diction makes for a solid performance of this classic ballad. The CD ends with "Stranger In Paradise" from the show entitled Kismet; John sings this to perfection with a great arrangement featuring the strings, flute and horns.

The liner notes have the original liner notes for the record albums when they were released in 1963 and 1964; and we get miniature replicas of the front covers of the record album jackets, too.

John Gary really scored a grand slam home run with the two record albums on this CD entitled Catch a Rising Star and Encore. I highly recommend this CD for anyone who likes John; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals will love this CD for years to come.

John Gary has, with out a doubt the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. I had forgotten just how exceptional his voice is until I ordered this CD. I hadn't listened to him in years and I wish I hadn't waited so long. Anyone who loves truly beautiful music and a voice with the range he has, will treasure this CD. Sue Coon

ONE OF THE CURRENT CROONER WITH A BEAUTIFUL VOICE. HE HAS THE ABILITY TO CHANGE HIS VOICE UP AND DOWN WITHOUT LOOSING THE TUNE.

I had John Gary's albums in the 1960's. When I saw these CDs I ordered them immediately. And when they arrived, I listened to them with my wife (who never heard him sing before). His voice is simply amazing! My wife loved the songs; and so did I. I really believe that he is one of the great singers. His three octave range is beyond BEAUTIFUL. The music is wonderful.

These were John Gary's first recordings and when LP's first came out. I got these when they were first released and, when dept. stores had their own music depts., John Gary appeared at the store and autographed his albums and I still have them to this day. I no longer have a turntable and am so glad to have the CDs to play. John Gary's voice was perfect and you could understand every word. His style was simple and beautiful.

An awesome CD! Part of my own personal anthology. I was thrilled to find it!

This is one of 3 of his cd's I purchased recently. He is one of my favorite singers. Beautiful music to listen to!!!