Customer Reviews

Jack Jones Paints a Tribute to Tony Bennett

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If there's anything more annoying than the comparative neglect Jack Jones is receiving these days, it's the dismissive or patronizing comments of listeners, even Jack Jones "fans," who seem incapable of comprehending what an album such as this represents. This is not another "commodity" by a pop star; it's not a lounge act; it's not a nostalgic whiff of the past; and it's certainly not an example of an artist who is coasting or taking his audience in the least bit for granted.

Don't mess with this album unless you're up to the challenge that it represents. Or prepare for it by first trying to extract the beauty from Sinatra's "Close to You," or a late Billie Holiday recording, or Bill Evans' Vanguard session, or for that matter an Ode by Keats or a string quartet by Brahms. The musicianship of both Jones and pianist Mike Renzi on this album is of the highest order (listen to the singer's phrasing on "San Francisco, then replay it, attending this time to the exquisite voicings of the piano). The chemistry is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Finally, listen to the music as much as its makers. Each of the performances is less about the performers than the songs themselves--and the drama that can be brought to life only by performers willing to lay it all on the line.

The quest for truth and beauty is fraught with perils. Thank God there are still a few brave souls willing to undertake it.

This si the absolute best cd Jones has ever recorded!!! This is the BEST!!! His voice is smooth and wow he holds and hits thsoe notes with more vocal control than anyone in the business. This is a great tribute to Bennett, and Benent I'm sure was greatful. and thank you Jack for having the courtosy of doing this tribute before Tony pases on. I'm sure many will record his songs after he's gone, but you had the decency to record this while he's around to enjoy it. This is Jack with a jazz trio at his best, singing like a real jazz pro! The Mike Renzi Trio is well featured here!

In my view, Jack Jones has always been underated as a vocalist. The main reason is that traditional pop music started to lose ground rapidly just as Jack's popularity was rising in the 1960's. Fortunately, good vocal music is becoming a little more fashionable again and greater singers like Jones and Bennett are getting the recognition they deserve.

I enjoyed Jack's interpretation of "Skylark" and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." There is no question that his voice has changed over the years. Still, I think his vocal style has matured and improved with age. I listened to Jack's version of "Shadow Of Your Smile" on the CD and compared it to a 1967 version on an album - the more recent version was the better of the two !

If you like pop standards, I think that you will enjoy "Jack Jones Paints A Tribute to Tony Bennett."

I confess I've never been a big Jack Jones fan--a pretty face with a pleasant voice. At least, not until hearing this album, possibly the best male interpretation of the American Songbook released over the past 20 years.

Yes, that would have to include Tony Bennett who, good as he is, is surpassed in this "tribute." Whereas Bennett often gives the listener the impression he's hanging around long enough to deliver his climactic, full-throated, signature high B-flat, Jack Jones on this album is breathing meaning into each and every note of the song. The boy with the homecoming-king good looks has come of age in this mature, reflective, soulfully sublime album.

It's ironic if not gratuitous that the songs are all associated with Bennett. Jones' revisions are so fresh and revealing that the predecessor's original versions are all but erased from memory. There isn't a false note, a let-down in the entire set, which gets better with each listening.

To take the comparison further, the sensitive, exquisite harmonies and voicings of pianist Mike Renzi bear little resemblance to the perfunctory and predictable accompaniments Ralph Sharon serves up for his boss.

I now have a major regret: If only Bill Evans had made that frankly disappointing recording session with Jack Jones. On the other hand, this Jack Jones bears little resemblance to the one I remember from 20 or even 10 years ago. And if Bill Evans is no longer with us, his spirit certainly lives in Mike Renzi.

As Jones once told me "This was a labor of love" referring to his Tony Bennett tribute. I had the honor of seeing him live, with Phyllis Diller, Jones was wonderful! He sang many of these tunes. On this cd we are lucky to hear Jones with Mike Renzi's jazz trio(which is sort of like Bennett's own Ralph Sharon Trio). This is sheding new light on Jones, Jones the jazz singer... this is art in the highest form, and Jones' appealing baritone is stronger and more appealing than ever! He has the greatest vocal control of any singer today, and he really is the greatest singer around today(giving steve Lawrence & Tony Bennett some competition). A great CD(get one for a friend for Christmas, it makes a great stocking stuffer).

Jack Jones is my favorite singer, bar none! This CD is highly recommended by me for the student of just plain good music! The only downside to the recording was the lack of energy sometimes projected. His rendition of "Skylark" and "One for My Baby" were without peer. It was certainly Grammy material and I want him to achieve the success he has always deserved. He appears to have no desire to be on top but rather he wishes to please himself and his fans. He would surely have more fans if his newer recordings were aired more and let's leave "Lollipops and Roses", etc behind. I have seen him in person four times, each time he has just been better and better. I realize it is virtually impossible to translate his pure voice, broad range, the coolest jazz rhythms, and overall versatility to any recording! He is perfection and his modesty in always alluding to the late Frank Sinatra or Joe Williams lead me to believe he doesn't know the talent he has himself. Once I heard him say no one could sing "Music of the Night" like Michael Crawford...come on, Jack....listen to yourself. I have seen him sing this on TV and in person, Crawford could not interpret this song as well. This CD is a tribute to Tony but it is also a tribute to Jack to try something new, yet again!

Five stars for Mike Renzi's playing alone - flawless styling and arrangements. A very novel rendition of "Just In Time". This is one of the best jazz vocal discs in my collection.

This CD marks a partial return to form for Jack Jones. For a change, he's doing only songs that are worthy of his talent and for that reason, he doesn't need to gussy up the songs with vocal tricks to make them more palatable. He sings them straight, and the results are generally very fine, especially on "You Must Believe in Spring" and "It Amazes Me." "One For My Baby" is more like Sinatra's version than Bennett's, though it has a hint of that honky tonk piano Bennett likes to use when he's singing it.

Jones' voice isn't what it once was, but he's still in there swinging. His best since his Michel Legrand album of the early 70's.

Not many voices in today's music world can hold up to the scrutiny of such an intimate setting as this CD provides. It is music for dreams. Jack Jones just gets better and better with every year, with every release.

I have been a Jack Jones fan for more years than I care to remember. My wife first heard him at a club called the Living Room in NYC. She was out with someone else,but she introduced me to this fine voice. I have many of his Albums and now CDs, but find this one to be his most moving. I have never considered myself a Bennett fan, but the selections on this Album are great. If they were part of Mr Bennetts collection, then the man has great taste in music. Mr Jones does not sing with the same power as he did 35 years ago, but he more than makes up for it in style and feeling. My one regret is their is not a cassette available for my car, so I guess I will tape it. I enjoyed it so much, I really felt I should buy it twice, so the company and the artist could get paid for an EXCELLENT recording.