Jack Jones – Master of the “Love Ballad”

“I am a singer…” croons Mr. Jones as he makes an unannounced appearance on the stage at Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency. After a few moments, however, he’s in his stride; the full headed white mane was ready to rumble. At the tender age of 74, his voice is full bodied and he’s eager to show off his abilities of fine breath control with many long sustained notes punctuating impeccable phrasing throughout the one and half hour show.
Songs from his latest album “Love Ballad” are a compilation of his greatest hits tour, including the best of the Great American Songbook such as “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” giving saxophone great Houston Person the opportunity to wail in a solo, “Just One of Those Things,” in double time, or “You Made Me Love You,” all allowing Mr. Jones the latitude to boast how good his upper register and falsetto sound. His casual approach aims to please as he frequently roams the room acknowledging all while he sings.
Loosening his tie and removing his jacket, he does his Wayne Newton thing, expressing his love for Brian Wilson’s classic “God Only Knows” — slow, easy as the instrumentals build to a determination. Matt Dennis’ classic “Angel Eyes” was slow and steamy; “You’ve Changed,” a quiet tender interpretation.
With a short time spent reflecting on his younger years and how he got started in the business, the evening was all about singing the songs and his superb delivery of the lyrics. But what would an evening with Jack Jones be without his iconic Grammy winning David/Bacharach “Wives and Lovers,” or “The Love Boat Theme,” or reliving his role as Don Quixote and “The Impossible Dream,” each getting their own oohs, aahs and intermittent standing ovations from an admiring opening night crowd.
Jack Jones is a specialty interpreter of songs, weaving the intricate lyrics of love, life and dreams. “Here’s To Life!”
Jack Jones appears at Feinstein’s with music director Lou Forestieri on piano, Chris Colangelo on bass, Kendall Kay on drums, Patrick Tuzzolino, on guitar and Houston Person on saxophone thru June 30th.