Customer Reviews

Where Love Has Gone / My Kind of Town

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
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The good people at MCA/Universal are putting out some great discs at a helluva bargain; Sammy Davis, Carmen Mcrae, Eydie Gorme, and this great disc by Jack Jones (there are two other collections by Jack that I HIGHLY reccomend) The first half of this disc is beautifully orchestrated, right from opening strains the classic reading of its title track, WHERE LOVE HAS GONE, written by the incomparable team of Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn. Standouts on this album include the "alternate" lyrics used by Jack on the Rodgers & Hart evergreen IT NEVER ENTERED MY MIND, the fine jazz trumpet solo abetting Mr. Jones on WILLOW WEEP FOR ME, and the obscure gem THE LORELEI (not the Gershwin song of the same name I thought it was) Give TO LOVE AND BE LOVED a chance too; Sinatra's version is champ, but it's refreshing to hear what Jack did with it. Speaking of Ol' Blue Eyes, who else could sing MY KIND OF TOWN? Jack Jones, that's who! Complete with a new set of lyrics from Sammy Cahn and a jazzy new arrangement, Jack puts his own spin on this ode to the great city (from which THIS music lover hails) without ever trying to upstage Sinatra. Very classy, and very swingin'! The lovely SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY has a very melancholy arrangement and Jack's voice is at its most wistful on this track, which sets the mood perfectly. Perhaps my favorite track from the MY KIND OF TOWN sides is TRAVELLIN' ON, something of a country-meets-swing type song that gets downright gospel-like toward the great finish. And the great country standard KING OF THE ROAD closes out this wonderful disc, and Jack has a ball with it. Hoping to see more of this kind of product out there; Jack Jones' albums have been out of reach for far too long! Again, I also suggest the other two Jack Jones collections (WIVES & LOVERS//DEAR HEART and SHE LOVES ME//THERE'S LOVE AND THERE'S LOVE) to anyone who appreciates great music. Well worth the waiting time if theyre on special order! Listen and enjoy!

The first of the albums on this two CD set, "Where Love Has Gone" sounds as if it was Jones' attempt to remake Sinatra's "Only the Lonely," right down to the title track by Cahn/Van Heusen. While it doesn't reach that level, Jones reinterprets songs like "Willow Weep For Me" and "Angel Eyes" and makes them sound fresh and new. The second album, "My Kind of Town" contains more contemporary songs - contemporary that is to 1965, but is still well worth a listen especially on Neil Hefti's jazzy "I Must Know." Just great vocal pop music.

Moonchildiva has raised an important point. Jack is Jack, just as Matt Monro is Matt Monro. Neither of these great singers were trying to be Frank or Tony.

It's human nature to use comparison points, especially where you have such landmark artists as Sinatra, but it is also damaging to upcomers to have that hanging over them the whole time.

This is my third double Jack set and yet another classic collection from his golden period. When you look back at his releases from the sixties alone, he was one prolific guy. Not just in terms of the overall number of albums (all classics, too), but in terms of the speed of the recording process.

Jack often recorded an entire album of songs in two or three days, which is staggering considering how pampered (and under-talented) most modern artists are. There is just no way to get your head around how good Jack Jones is. He is beyond comparison.

There was a long debate in quantum physics over whether Light was a particle or a wave, as it could manifest as both under different circumstances. In the end, people had to conclude that it was neither, and that it was a quantum or sub-atomic entity in its own right.

In the same way, we need to accept the uniqueness of Jack Jones, and the fact that he exists independently of the Sinatras and the Bennetts, as the Diva suggested. Besides, any woman who looks like Joanna Cassidy from Blade Runner has to be taken seriously.

Another must-buy set at the usual superb Amazon.com price.

Jack stands on his own in the singing business, everyone's influenced by someone, and who better than perhaps Frank or Tony, but I don't believe Jack's trying to be anyone, trying to sing like anyone, trying to do someone else's songs -- don't listen to the ones who are saying this! Just buy this great CD (and other Jack Jones CD) and be prepared to be taken into a wonderful world of music that's beyond comparison. If you've heard all of Frank's music and all of Tony's music, then Jack's gonna be very refreshing. Here's a voice that will thrill you with its power.

www.....com

I bought this CD to replace the original record album (Where Love Has Gone). The sound quality is wonderful--we love it!

Jasmine's 2009 release of Jones's early recordings from the Fifties showed a promise which is fully fulfilled here, where Jones is given some mature material to record with excellent backing orchestras (arrangers / leaders are Glenn Osser, Marty Paich, Pete King, Harry Betts and Don Costa). The CD is made up of two original LPs from 1964 and 1965 respectively. Jones interprets the well worn war horses with an impressive understanding of the emotional range of the material and he is in fine voice throughout, although in the lower register there is a slight lack of warmth and resonance (at times he sounds exactly like Mel Tormé). He can whisper, belt, has peerless breath control and can swing with the best of them. In a very crowded field he would perhaps not stand out, but he can hold his own admirably. A satisfying disc and well worth your consideration should you want a change of menu from Sinatra et al.
Nb. I have no complaints about the soundscape on my copy; the drum roll the other reviewer refers to is clearly audible and sound is warm and clear.

Jack Jones performs brilliantly on this CD; this has all of the songs from two of his record albums entitled Where Love Has Gone and My Kind of Town. Jack' s voice is in excellent form here and he never once falters; this is a wonderful CD for his fans and even a great CD for starters if you're just getting into the great way Jack can sing out a tune. The sound quality on this CD is excellent and the artwork incorporates the original artwork from the record album jackets.

The album begins with Jack doing great justice to "Where Love Has Gone;" he sings this very well and his excellent diction enhances his performance all the more--and how's about the strings on this number? It's terrific. "Willow Weep for Me" is a classic that features Jack squarely front and center--right where he belongs! I love it. "Here's That Rainy Day" is very well done and again the strings work well for the musical arrangement. "Lush Life" has always been one of my very favorite classic pop tunes; and Jack aces this as effortlessly as if it were mere breathing. Of course, we know it really wasn't all that easy; Jack's talent always carries him through.

"To Love and Be Loved" charms me with its natural beauty; and "People" gets a very sensitive interpretation from this masterful singer. "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" is certainly easy on the ear; Jack's sophisticated phrasing makes this number shine bright! "What's New?" is also very beautiful. "By Myself" was sung by Judy Garland in the movie "I Could Go on Singing;" Judy would have been proud of Jack's rendition of this ballad! "My Kind Of Town" gets a slower tempo than I'm used to hearing but it all works very well; and listen for Jack to outdo even himself on the timeless love song "More."

"The Race Is On" gets a very spirited arrangement and it just plain sounds good even though the lyrics aren't all that happy. "I Can't Believe I'm Losing You" moves me; it's very poignant. "Travellin' On" has Jack doing his usual best; and that's grand. "Yes, I Can" is powerful and the drums enhance the arrangement very nicely. Great!

"I Must Know" is very dynamic; the arrangement glistens and Jack makes this brighter than silver and gold combined as he sings this to perfection--and beyond! "Time After Time" has Jack delivering this faultlessly; and the album ends strong with Jack Jones performing "King of the Road." I really like "King of the Road" and it tops off the album very well indeed.

Jack Jones remains a star to this day--catch him in concert if you can! This CD is nothing short of bliss for any Jack Jones fan. It's fantastic that Jack still goes strong and we are better off for his sharing his talent with us.

Thank you, Jack Jones!

"Where Love Has Gone," along with the Jane Morgan album "What Now My Love," was an attempt to capture the mood of Sinatra's classic "Only the Lonely." That the albums do, but it's important to point out that Jack Jones at no time is trying to recreate or to imitate Sinatra. He is totally his own singer and this album gave him an opportunity he rarely had to tackle really deep material. It's clear from the album he is a supreme vocal talent--gorgeous baritone, beautiful long phrasing, great breath control, impeccable pronunciation, on-the-nose intonation at all times and truly intelligent and emotional lyric interpretation. The album is, simply, a masterpiece and Sinatra himself praised it. The very dark and moody arrangements underscore the vocals perfectly; the whole album imparts almost a neurotically sad, about-to-storm mood. "Where Love Is Gone" was a Sinatra song, as was of course "My Kind of Town" but Jones has never been a Sinatra clone and that makes his work even more interesting. If there's any influence in what he does it is that of his father, a great singer and actor about whom I could write forever if only for his work in the 1930s "Show Boat."

If you are a fan of great male vocals in the Sinatra style this is a great CD. I had forgotten had good he was until I saw him in person last month. I ran out and ordered every CD of his I could find. This is one of the best.

I consider the first half of this twofer, Where Love Has Gone, to be one of the most breathtakingly beautiful albums I know. It's essentially a young man's Only the Lonely, featuring many of the same songs that Sinatra covered for his classic concept LPs (Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry, Here's That Rainy Day, Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye, To Love And Be Loved, It Never Entered My Mind, Willow Weep For Me, What's New?). In contrast to Frank's view of lost love, Jones' interpretations are more wistful than suicidal (after all, he was only 26 at the time), and his voice projects so much beauty into the most subtle, contemplative thoughts and the most anguished declarations. The soaring notes he reaches in Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry, Lorelei, and Here's That Rainy Day nearly bring tears to my eyes, for their sheer emotional power. Jones also performs a masterful cover here of Lush Life, known for its wandering, evolving melody that most pop singers only wish they could sing. While I'm aware that some dismiss Jones for recording these titles - most of them synonymous with Sinatra and other legends - I can say without hesitation that Jones' renditions have become my favorites, due to the sensitivity in his vocals, and for how he leaves me feeling that I know and care about him personally through his expressions of sadness.

The eight most sensitive, string-based selections for Where Love Has Gone were arranged by Pete King (and recorded in ONE day!). In listening to them, it's easy to understand how King was the man who heard young Jones perform live and recommended him to Kapp - his reverence for Jack's voice is so apparent, with his arrangements framing it like a rare jewel.

Special mention must be made of the way Jones' producers bookended this collection. The album begins with an original Jimmy Van Heusen/Sammy Cahn movie theme, Where Love Has Gone. And then, after Jones has carried us through this and so many other emotional highs, he settles himself (and us) into the jazzy closing tune, By Myself. Here's young Jack, with his whole life ahead of him, accepting his losses and the unknown that's ahead. He's feeling optimistic, and so are we, happy for this whole journey we've experienced.

My Kind of Town, by contrast, has no single theme or concept. It consists of songs compiled from different sessions recorded between 1962 and 1965 (a few lovely ballads, but predominantly fun and upbeat titles), and it was a huge commercial hit for Jones. My Kind of Town and Yes I Can feature personalized lyrics and rhythms written especially for Jack, clearly displaying his own identity rather than Frank's or Sammy's. Jones eventually became famous for some of My Kind Of Town's album cuts: More, Somewhere Along the Way, I Can't Believe I'm Losing You, and the positively irresistible I Must Know. Country music also joins in this mix. Here is where The Race Is On first appeared, featuring Jones' memorable, one-man, multi-track harmony. Travellin' On is an even more impressive surprise, as the slow introductory verse of this old, old cowboy tune transitions into a rousing big band number. And Jones adds considerable class to Roger Miller's King of the Road, the closing number to this very enjoyable CD.

Now, if I had been the one assigning albums for these twofer collections, I would've paired Where Love Has Gone with Jones' other reflective masterpiece, Jack Jones Sings, and My Kind of Town with his other mixed bag of styles and genres, For the 'In' Crowd. But, hey, I'm just a clueless American fan, and obviously MCA-UK knows better. ;-)