Customer Reviews

The Very Best of John Gary

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Imagine the best qualities of Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Perry Como, then roll them into one, and you have an idea of what an astonishingly superb singer John Gary was.

Frank Sinatra once said that John Gary had the best voice of all popular singers. I would agree, except to add that Frank understated the matter. This album contains a very good sampling of the best of John's songs. John Gary had a vocal range absolutely unmatched by any man or woman I have ever heard sing, and his interpretations and musical sensibilities are equally impressive. I had the pleasure of hearing John sing live twice in New Orleans, and I was also lucky enough to meet him both times after the show with some of my family. He was as nice and humble a man as he was a vocal genius. He sang live as well as he did in the studio, which is truly incredible when you consider what a level of excellence that is.

I would strongly recommend this album, as well as most any other John Gary one can find, including ones such as Catch a Rising Star, John Gary at Carnegie Hall, Tenderly, and, especially, the John Gary Christmas album. The latter is absolutely the best traditional Christmas album that I have ever heard.

When John Gary died sometime in 1997, I was very saddened. I wrote a sympathy letter to his wife, but was never able to send it. If any of John's family is reading this, please know that there are many of us who continue to be touched by the wonderful musical legacy of John. He seemed like a really wonderful person and we are sorry he is gone. He will always be the greatest crooner of all time to us.

Perhaps he was just born too late. From the 30's through the 50's, pop stars became immortalized by starring in movies. But by John's time, that image boosting avenue was no longer available. But listen to him in Two Different Worlds, and you just have to admit; this was one of the 3 or 4 greatest pop singers of the 20th century. Gary is in the same league as stylists like Jolson, Torme, Bennett and Cole. And he's right there with the great voices of Crosby, Sinatra, Ekstein and the Mills Brothers.

To hear John Gary sing Ebb Tide or Unchained Melody is to hear those songs in their most beautiful incarnations. To denegrate his recordings would be foolish. To forget John Gary would be a crime.

Sadly, John Gary has gone through the years as one of the greatest, yet relatively unknown, singers in the world. An absolutely glorious voice, I feel he does not get enough attention or glory. That is why I am writing this. People, if you just happen upon this and wonder who he is, DO NOT HESITATE to order any of his work in music. You will never be disappointed with his talent and beautifully presented versions of so many wonderful songs. To me, and to another relatively unknown, yet exquisitely beautiful, entertainer named Natalia Melony, his version of "Unchained Melody" is simply the GREATEST - EVER. It's a MUST. Period. He reminds me of Nat King Cole, in that he never did a bad recording in his entire life! And if you ever happen to get the pleasure of watching and listening to a young, female version of John Gary - and I think many will agree with me, it is Natalia Melony. She is part Irish, part Ukrainian, and she has a similar way of singing. It's angelic and pure, like John Gary, with incredible range. In fact, I think that she would credit John Gary with having taught her the art of singing, because she used to harmonize with all his recordings when she was growing up. So, folks, take my word, as I claim to be quite the expert in really great musical performance, you can't ever go wrong purchasing a John Gary album. It will surely be a prized possession in your collection. Thanks for the opportunity to give some credit where it is way over-due. Peter Darwin

I have had a soft spot in my heart for John since I first discovered him during his summer show for Danny Kaye in 1966. I was 12 years old and was then, and still am, a music lover with very conservative tastes. I concur with many of the other reviewers that there is not nearly enough John Gary CDs out there. This one is a good start. It is contains my absolute favorite of John's songs, "Unchained Melody". Anytime that I felt the need to convert a friend to John's type of music, that was the one I used. They were doomed! It always worked. The rest of the collection is wonderful, and would be an asset to anyone's collection. And, I wholeheartedly agree with several of the other reviewers in the request to Lee or RCA or whomever, please release John's Carnegie Hall album and his Christmas album. My old LPs have been played almost to extinction! I will always cherish those lucky times over the years that I was able to see him in person. He was a gracious and dear man. I will miss him.

The first song I heard John Gary sing was "Once Upon a Time" and that was around 1964. I was stunned by the deep feelings of pure joy that voice invoked in me. It still give me chills. I bought all his LP records I could find but, alas, they are not playable anymore. I'm overjoyed with my new CD. I am purchasing another one for a friend who heard mine playing in my office. Her comment was, "Who in the world is that, and why don't I know about him?" I just found out from one of the other reviewers that he passed away this past year. How sad for his family and his fans, and how sad for those people who never discovered him. But aren't we the lucky ones that he left us the legacy of his beautiful voice and spirit.

It broke my heart when I had to give away my copy of this wonderful CD, because John Gary was one of the greatest male vocalists of this era. I was introduced to John as a child, watching his summer TV variety show, and was amazed at his voice.

My record collection includes three of his RCA albums (including his debut, "Catch a Rising Star") and his Cole Porter CD, which I own. I hope that one day the folks at RCA will consider releasing his earlier albums, which have been out of print for far too long. It's a terrible shame that we lost both John and Frank Sinatra in the same year (1998), but we are fortunate to have both artists represented in CD form.

RCA said John Gary was the "popular song's best friend", and they were so right. I usually stick to rock and roll and R&B, but when I was a kid, and my mom and dad would listen to John Gary records, I knew the guy was something special. Some of the songs on the Very Best of John Gary will literally make you cry, with his wonderful 4 octave voice. Although he passed away recently, his renditions of these hit songs still seem new, and will forever remain timeless. John Gary's son, Jason, hosts a web site dedicated to his late father, in memory of.

Listening to this recording is to transcend yourself to a place of awe and wonder! Awe, because of the peace and tranquility you receive from just listening to each track - and wonder, because you wonder how John Gary's voice can be so pure and have the range and clarity of so many octaves. (There is no falsetto, here!) The orchestrations, the diction and the breath control are mind-boggling! To say you feel a chill run up your spine with each and every high note, would not be an exaggeration. This recording is 5 Star from start to finish! If a man's life is summed up by his body of work in life - then this recording of John Gary's is definately the sum total!

Mr John Gary is blessed with a wonderful style, and sound to his singing and randitions of all the songs that he performs. I am privledged to own many albums by John Gary, and I can say that I still enjoy the songs each and everytime I hear them. Mr Gary's voice is so smooth, and had a wamth which allows you to hear every word he vocalizes. I wish he was touring the country like other popular singers are doing. I know that I would have my entire family come to see his performance. If anyone out there knows anything about John Gary doing any shows or performing in this country, would you please let me know by E-Mailing me at Framu@aol.com I sure would apprecciate any information you can forward to us in regards to Mr John Gary. I truly recommend that you take the time to just listen to any of his songs, and you will know what it feels like to hear a voice that is truly a warm and sincere sound that is clear as the sound of a fine instrument. God Blessed you Mr Gary. Keep singing your beautiful songs for us, and we will keep buying your albums. Sincerly Ralph & Maureen

Rarely is a voice found with the richness and versatility of this performer. At the unusual age of 15, I became a fan not of rock and roll, but of the performer and songs I am again enjoying at the age of 48. His phrasing, control, and depth on each recording make me enjoy songs I otherwise didn't previously care for. He didn't sing songs . . . he touched them, he massaged them, and he gracefully handed them to you with the gentleness of silk touching your skin. Listening to John Gary is not something you do while dusting . . . you are compelled to sit down and just listen. Be ready for an experience that will evoke your passions . . . you'll either cry or smile as he taps into your memories. It is my hope that some of his many other albums are reproduced, as I will buy them all.