Jack Jones, Plus Margaret Whiting and Bob Manning Reups

Jack Jones is one of my favorite singers, but he has never appeared here. Today I'll present his first real chart success, and add a vocal reup bonanza with collections from Margaret Whiting and Bob Manning.

Jack Jones - Lollipops and Roses

"Lollipops and Roses" was Jones' first big hit, both as a single and as an LP. Tony Velona's lyrics would not pass inspection today, containing such couplets as, "One day she'll smile, next day she'll cry / Minute to minute, you'll never know why!" But the tune is lovely, as is Jones' ultra-romantic singing. The song would go on to win a Grammy in 1962.

While the album may have lifted the singer to fame, it was not his first. Capitol had him record the LP This Love of Mine in 1959. But that was it. A few years later, producer-arranger Pete King heard one of his personal appearances, and brought him to Kapp.

That label issued a blizzard of Jones LPs during his six years with the organization - there are 20 or so. And actually, Lollipops and Roses was not the first for Kapp - Shall We Dance hit the market slightly before it.

Jones's lush singing on the album at hand has shaped his image ever since, although subsequent recordings would show him to be more versatile. I've been listening to Jack Jones Sings from 1966, where his work with the bossa nova "A Day in the Life of a Fool" is very convincing.

This transfer of Lollipops and Roses comes from many years ago, but I have refurbished it for this post.

Margaret Whiting Reups, Plus Two New Singles

Another favorite of mine is the wonderful singer Margaret Whiting. I have a large collection of her records that I began sharing here as long ago as 2011. Now I have remastered all these posts, comprising her first LP and three substantial sets of singles. I've also added a new post of four songs to my singles blog. All told there are 52 song.

Here the links to these posts:

Two Rare Margaret Whiting Singles (new)

Margaret Whiting Sings Rodgers and Hart

1949-51 Margaret Whiting Singles

1953-56 Margaret Whiting Singles

Early and Rare Capitol Singles from Margaret Whiting

Margaret Whiting Meets Hopalong Cassidy

Bob Manning Reups

       

Bob Manning's sonorous voice puts many people in mind of Dick Haymes, although Manning was nowhere near as successful as that popular singer. But in the 1950s, Manning did do a fair amount of work for Capitol and RCA Victor, among other companies. Many years ago I devoted two posts to his releases, and have now remastered both collections, which total 22 songs.

Bob Manning on Capitol

Bob Manning - M-G-M and RCA Singles