Search - John Gary :: The Very Best of John Gary

THE GREATEST TENOR OF ALL TIME

Canon | United States | 12/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Imagine the best qualities of Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Perry Como, then roll them into one, and you have an idea of what an astonishingly superb singer John Gary was.Frank Sinatra once said that John Gary had the best voice of all popular singers. I would agree, except to add that Frank understated the matter. This album contains a very good sampling of the best of John's songs. John Gary had a vocal range absolutely unmatched by any man or woman I have ever heard sing, and his interpretations and musical sensibilities are equally impressive. I had the pleasure of hearing John sing live twice in New Orleans, and I was also lucky enough to meet him both times after the show with some of my family. He was as nice and humble a man as he was a vocal genius. He sang live as well as he did in the studio, which is truly incredible when you consider what a level of excellence that is.I would strongly recommend this album, as well as most any other John Gary one can find, including ones such as Catch a Rising Star, John Gary at Carnegie Hall, Tenderly, and, especially, the John Gary Christmas album. The latter is absolutely the best traditional Christmas album that I have ever heard.When John Gary died sometime in 1997, I was very saddened. I wrote a sympathy letter to his wife, but was never able to send it. If any of John's family is reading this, please know that there are many of us who continue to be touched by the wonderful musical legacy of John. He seemed like a really wonderful person and we are sorry he is gone. He will always be the greatest crooner of all time to us."

So forgotten, it hurts

bob turnley | birmingham,al,usa | 07/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps he was just born too late. From the 30's through the 50's, pop stars became immortalized by starring in movies. But by John's time, that image boosting avenue was no longer available. But listen to him in Two Different Worlds, and you just have to admit; this was one of the 3 or 4 greatest pop singers of the 20th century. Gary is in the same league as stylists like Jolson, Torme, Bennett and Cole. And he's right there with the great voices of Crosby, Sinatra, Ekstein and the Mills Brothers. To hear John Gary sing Ebb Tide or Unchained Melody is to hear those songs in their most beautiful incarnations. To denegrate his recordings would be foolish. To forget John Gary would be a crime."

And John Gary is Natalia Melony's favorite singer, too!

Peter Darwin | 08/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sadly, John Gary has gone through the years as one of the greatest, yet relatively unknown, singers in the world. An absolutely glorious voice, I feel he does not get enough attention or glory. That is why I am writing this. People, if you just happen upon this and wonder who he is, DO NOT HESITATE to order any of his work in music. You will never be disappointed with his talent and beautifully presented versions of so many wonderful songs. To me, and to another relatively unknown, yet exquisitely beautiful, entertainer named Natalia Melony, his version of "Unchained Melody" is simply the GREATEST - EVER. It's a MUST. Period. He reminds me of Nat King Cole, in that he never did a bad recording in his entire life! And if you ever happen to get the pleasure of watching and listening to a young, female version of John Gary - and I think many will agree with me, it is Natalia Melony. She is part Irish, part Ukrainian, and she has a similar way of singing. It's angelic and pure, like John Gary, with incredible range. In fact, I think that she would credit John Gary with having taught her the art of singing, because she used to harmonize with all his recordings when she was growing up. So, folks, take my word, as I claim to be quite the expert in really great musical performance, you can't ever go wrong purchasing a John Gary album. It will surely be a prized possession in your collection. Thanks for the opportunity to give some credit where it is way over-due. Peter Darwin"