Impossible Dream

Jack Jones | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 1, 1995)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca Special Products
• ASIN: B000002QU6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #464,883 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. She Loves Me

2. Call Me Irresponsible

3. Alfie

4. Michelle

5. The Impossible Dream

6. And I Love Her

7. Angel Eyes

8. Dear Heart

9. Lady

10. Wives and Lovers

Editorial Reviews

Until very recently, it has been "impossible" for Jack Jones fans to find his classic Kapp material on CD, so the last few months have indeed been like a "dream": first Universal puts out three twofers overseas, and now we’re grabbing the cream of his Kapp crop for our own label! The Impossible Dream went to #9 on the 1966 charts and remains Jack’s creative high point and one of the signature vocal albums of the decade; we’re reissuing it here with original artwork and new liner notes. A Collectors’ Choice Music exclusive! --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Master stylist backed by Master arranger, in a GAS reference album from the 60s, March 21, 2006

By 

Carlos from Rio "Carlos from Rio" (Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Impossible Dream (Audio CD)

I am used to saying that a great stylist results from good voice and technique and from the right choice of repertoire and arranger. What a beautiful example we find here in these takes by Jack Jones, all arranged by the late great Marty Paich except for three tracks arranged by Pete King.

I would not pick up some songs which were already overexposed at that time in their ultimate and unbeatable renditions by Tony Bennett (`The Shadow of Your Smile' under arrangement by Johnny Mandel) or Sinatra (his smash hit `Stranger in The Night'*). Anyway this proves Jones courage for such a choice. He's brilliant overall!

It's also interesting to notice that covers to other songs worked very well and sounded fresh and new when Jones and Paich decided to give up the obvious task by recreating the original theme in a new and independent conception. The swinging tunes are the featured ones in this case.

What a dream to have this album back in CD format! I was in my teens when I bought it and first played it in my turntable. Day after day, it was like having everyday breakfast, there was the need to listen to it - Jones at his best and Paich brilliant and creative as ever in the swinging uptempo tunes and surprisingly inspired in the slow ballads. A dream come true.

The Swinging Tunes that have made my mind go round and round all these years:

- I Will Wait for You - I love the cool take by Jones maybe influenced by Paich's bigband arrangement. It may not be what one may consider the most appropriate for such a romantic song by Michel Legrand, the famous theme from `The Umbrellas of Cherbourg'. However it worked very well and original. Or else it would be one more romantic version in the place.

- All or Nothing At All - an extraordinary 6/8 waltz in uptempo, creative arrangement by Paich. Nelson Riddle's arrangement for Sinatra* would not pair. Maybe my favorite track amongst all in the album.

- What Now My Love - this is the English version to `Et Maintenant' recorded emotionally and strongly by the author French pianist and singer Gilbert Becaud. Here Jones also cools down in another original Paich's bigband arrangement. Closing is sensational with percussion and bass underlining Jones' voice.

- You Better Go Now - a bigband arrangement which begins with Jones' voice underlined by bass and with an inventive closing. Also a sax soloist would deserve credit.

The romantic tunes that have filled me with thrill all these years:

- Then Was Then and Now Is Now - one of the most surprising Paich's arrangements for a romantic slow ballad with all that beautiful violin section combined with a discreet but noticeable trumpet. A beautiful trumpet solo which should be credited.

- Feeling Good - another slow ballad, here with a strong and impressive performance by Mr. Jones. Closing high tones by Jones creeps me emotionally until today.

- Alfie - very hard to say I prefer Dionne Warwick's original with her singular interpretation to this vigorous Jones' take, also brilliantly arranged.

- This Is All I Ask - what a gem! What a song! What lyrics so beautiful. What sensitive arrangement by Marty Paich. Jones in great, great performance which has never got out of my head.

- The Shadow of Your Smile - the classic standard by Johnny Mandel, theme from `The Sandpiper', in a good rendition and good arrangement though Tony Bennett's is certainly the reference as arranged by Mandel.

- The Impossible Dream - the famous theme from `Man of La Mancha' with a beautiful arrangement by Pete King. Jones opens the album program with a strong performance.

- Strangers in The Night - a widely known original by Sinatra* here covered with a beautiful and original arrangement by Pete King.

- My Best Girl - just a pretty waltz, well arranged, well sung.

* from the album `Stranger in The Night' on Reprise also available here @Amazon.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Crystal Vocal from a Master, October 27, 1999

By 

Carlos from Rio "Carlos from Rio" (Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Impossible Dream (Audio CD)

The cream of the cream of the American Song under the ellegant voice of one of the best singers ever. This is a compilation from original albums recorded for the late Kapp label.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Mastered from LP, April 9, 2008

By 

Eyes wide open - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Impossible Dream (Audio CD)

Collector's Choice have to be thanked for reissuing this masterpiece, but it is very disappointing that they did not go back to the original master tapes. The CD is obviously taken from an LP source, with very flat sound and even cracks and pops here and there. Since this is a legitimate reissue licensed from Universal Music, Collector's Choice should have had access to the master tapes. Very, very disappointing! Please get your act together, Collector's choice!