Jack Jones Paints a Tribute to

It's always unfair when someone dismisses an artist altogether because of one corny tune he did. In the case of Jack Jones, there are those who denounce him as a cheesy Vegas lounge act because he provided the theme from the silly prime-time TV program The Love Boat. But to condemn Jones' entire career because of something cheesy he once stooped to recording is ridiculous. The singer is certainly quite capable of depth, as he demonstrates on this inspired tribute to one of his main influences, Tony Bennett. Definitely one of the best things he's ever done, the excellent CD finds Jones putting his own stamp on "Skylark," "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," "The Shadow of Your Smile" and other songs associated with Bennett. Jones' admiration for the pop icon is obvious, but he's wise enough to let his own personality come through. Although Jones is a pop vocalist rather than a jazz vocalist, he uses the influence of jazz to his creative advantage and employs an intimate trio of jazzmen that includes pianist/arranger Mike Renzi, bassist Craig Nelson and drummer Jimmy Blakemore. True to form, Renzi's arrangements are tasteful and sophisticated. Forget about the theme from The Love Boat; A Tribute to Tony Bennett is what Jones should be known for.