Early Jack Jones on JASMINE label

[Mark Fox]

'THIS COULD BE THE START OF SOMETHING' on JASMINE JASCD 551 released 9thOctober.

[mariana44]

Is this available in Amazon etc ??

[mariana44]

Its Ok-I just ordered direct from Jasmine records-8.99 plus £1.00 pp

[Gloria]

Friday is the announced release date from Amazon (UK & US). Well, after 50 long years, one record label is finally willing to release this material. I was always hoping that Capitol would release a formal compilation under their own banner - they've been licensing these songs out ever since firing Jack way back when - but that was wishful thinking. It looks like Jasmine has thrown the songs together in no chronological order, displaying Capitol's attempts at sellling Jack as a traditional crooner (with JJ sometimes polished, sometimes tentative), as well as a Bobby Rydell-style rock 'n' roller (I actually think Jack sounds pretty cool in this style). This is the kind of CD that Collector's Choice will sell lots of copies of - good for introducing JJ to new generations of fans.

[Mark Fox]

Marian-I put this here as I didn't want to hijack the main posting.

[Mark Fox]

Of course,it's available direct from jasmine-on line.

[Mark Fox]

My'review'copies are in the post so could be a while!

[Gloria]

It's funny to think that young Jack's recording of I'm a Fool to Want You (a.k.a. Sinatra's "Ava song") - with its Arabian-styled arrangement - will find wider exposure now. Hearing it raises the question: which SUBSTANCE could have inspired this looney interpretation of such a serious song? I wonder if Sinatra had heard it back then. If he did, that must've been his first impression of Jack Jones (but JJ thankfully earned Frank's respect within a few years). Maybe this recording will be popping up elsewhere soon . . like maybe, as theme music for a Rudolph Valentino symposium. Oh well, Jack, every superstar has his humble beginnings.

[Terence Lee]

The Jasmine CD can now be pre-ordered from Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Could-Be-S ... 58&sr=1-27

The cover photo is not very flattering. I don't remember Jack's teeth like that, do you Marian?

[Marian]

I have ordered this one from Amazon now Terence. Apparently release date, 23rd November.
I also note it is sent from Amazon EU. who failed to deliver my last Matt Monro purchase, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one.
Jack does have quite large teeth. This same pic is on one of his early album covers.
Marian

[Gloria]

Jack has always had a large, toothy smile - but it's just the extreme close-up of this photo that accentuates that feature. Capitol first used that photo when they reissued Jack's first album, This Love of Mine, replacing the original caveman cover (not much of an improvement, was it?). I noticed that Kapp, after Jack's first year with them - with Shall We Dance and I've Got a Lot of Livin' To Do - didn't let him flash the teeth for any more cover photos (must've thought he looked far sexier with the mouth closed).

You can tell that this Jasmine issue is being done on the cheap, as it's a rather poor colorization of the cover photo, with Jack's hazel eyes appearing to be chocolate brown.


Oddly, Amazon has updated my order for this CD, telling me that they're "preparing these items for shipment, and this part of your order cannot be cancelled or changed." This will seem strange, if U.S. customers are receiving this import earlier than Europeans. I guess I'll know within a week whether or not this is an error.

[mariana44]

I received my disc today, and I have to say it is a very strange selection of songs--I did not recognise a single song-title-if it had not been JJ I would not have had the least interest in it. I really think that the only people to buy it would be Jack Jones fans.

The back cover says "Made in Czech Republic"--which seemed odd to me. I find that the picture on the front is hardly recognisable as JJ, even in his early days-the back pic is much better.

[Gloria]

Eleven of the twelve songs taken from This Love of Mine are considered classics in traditional pop (the twelfth title, What Would I Do, was written by young Jack himself). The whole concept of that album was for Jack to sing the compositions of other singers, like Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Nat "King" Cole, Steve Allen and Frankie Laine. Jack's phrasing was rather clipped at this very young age, so he didn't sound like the smooth balladeer fans came to know a few years later. The song Make Way For the Joy was an early Burt Bacharach-Hal David song, written for Jack to sing in the Juke Box Rhythm film. A Very Precious Love was a popular 50s standard. The rock 'n' roll titles are mostly unknown, although Jack's voice sounds very strong in them, and more recognizable. I've already owned this material on LPs, so I already know what I'll be getting on the new CD. I've actually grown to like most of these recordings over the years - they're very misguided, but (dare I say this) they "have their charm." It's amazing how Jack was discovered shortly afterwards, with Pete King, Dave & Mickey Kapp, Marty Paich and Billy May all recognizing Jack's talent and how to use it, and with first class productions.

I believe that Capitol only owned three photos of Jack - the caveman pose, the toothy closeup, and a flattering photo featured on the LP's back cover (probably the same one reproduced for the CD's back cover). I'm sure these photos were included in a package deal, keeping the costs down for Jasmine .

[Marian]

I have the original "caveman" cover Gloria, and the one on the CD too on the reissue of Jack's first album. I nearly didn't order this one, but have now done so as it remains an important part of Jack's recording history.
I presume the tracks from this album are by now in the public domaine and Jack doesn't have any say as to if, when, or how they are released. I'm sure he would not approve if it has been cheaply produced.
All the tracks he does own, he withdrew off the market so that they cannot be misrepresented. The new album being released now has had considerable preparation and money spent on it to ensure the best possible result.
I'm sure we will not be disappointed with "I Never Had it So Good".
Marian

[mariana44]

Are we talking of the same cd--mine is called "This could be the start of something"--from Jasmine records.