Good Times With The Handy Man 1955-1960 ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED SET

If you really like doo wop you will likely enjoy this collection.The first C.D. is DEEPLY steeped in the mid 1950's doo wop sound. The second C.D. is mostly Jones's solo recordings.This compilation starts with Jones's first recording session in 1955 and continues chronologically to his 1960 hits.For the purpose of explaining this collection, some brief history is beneficial.Jimmy Jones was born in 1942, by 1955 at 14 years old he was lead singer with a group called the Spirits of Rhythm.This story began when Apollo Records signed that group, and changed their name to The Sparks of Rhythm.Jones was lead on the recordings at the first Apollo session in the summer of 1955.Jones left the group after Apollo had released two songs, and both failed to chart.Jones then formed another group, they were signed by Savoy Records. And the company named the group The Savoys.The releases in April of 1956 from that company failed to do well.George Goldner arranged for their release from their Savoy contract, and signed them to his label Rama.This time the group was named the Pretenders. After three recording sessions in 1956 with Rama and no chart success, they left that label.They recorded one song for the label Whirlin' Disc, nothing happened there, so they moved on.They recorded as The Jones Boys for the Arrow label, an unusual version of "Handy man", but changed the title to "The Whistlin' man".This song is very reminiscent of the Coasters style. No success. That song is here.They recorded for Holiday label and Apt label, again so success.Jones gave up on the idea of having success with a group and started pursuing a solo career.Here for the first time is compiled Jones early recordings with some of his Cub/M.G.M. hits.1. 8 tracks from The Sparks of Rhythm from 1955.2. 4 tracks from The Savoys from 1956.3. 13 tracks from The Pretenders from 1956.4. 2 tracks from The Jones Boys.5. 17 tracks Jimmy Jones solo.All these tracks are original recordings from 1955 -1960, re-mastered.Jones recorded his self penned "Handy Man", it was released in 1959. As it climbed the charts, "Good Timin'" was released ---Briefly in 1960 Jimmy Jones was a major star, hugely popular in the U.S.A. and the U.K.His two top ten hits, "Handy Man" and "Good Timin'" were on top of the charts in both countrys, at the same time.His next two releases, though they are very good, didn't chart well.Jones recorded for several labels thoughout the 1960's, and on his own record label in the seventies,but never had another song chart.The four songs Jones had chart are:1. "Handy Man" b/w "The search is over", top ten hit in 1959.2. "Good Timin'" b/w "My precious Angel", top ten hit in 1960.3. "That's when I cried" b/w "I just go for you" top 100 in 1960.4. "I told you so" b/w "You got it", top 100 in 1961.The A & B sides of the first three songs are here, but not the A & B sides of the fourth.Jones was still only 14 years old during the 1956 sessions as The Pretenders, lending to a more youthful higher pitched falsetto voice.He becomes closer to high tenor, and more skilled and polished as you listen from track one,through to the last song.Having always loved Jimmy Jones music, I very much like all his solo tracks here, and some of the 'group' recordings.But the first C.D. is so deeply entrenched in the doo wop stlye, it's a bit more then suits my taste.The biggest surprise was to learn that "it's not clear if Jones sings or not" on five or so of the 'group' recordings included here.This double C.D. set contains 44 tracks, with actually 41 different songs.Three songs are here in two different versions.The booklet didn't live up to my imagination, with the Editorial Review stateing "extensive liner notes".The 'booklet' folds out so it has two addition flaps the size of the front cover. It does have three of those areas filled with notes, thats a plus.Each disc has a nice grayish picture of Jones.The front and back pictures of Jones on the C.D. case are nicer then usual graphics.From Jasmine Records, London. Date of release is Febuary of 2011.Digital processing, but totally mono recordings.Still the sound is pretty good. Especially on the Jones solo tracks.FOOTNOTE:If you like Jimmy Jones music, you may like the single disc 25 track C.D., "Handy Man" here on Amazon.Jones is wearing a red sweater, sitting on a large rock, with water in the background. That disc is all original recording on Cub label.It's stated on the C.D. "Special disc jockey record".All but three of those tracks are similar taste as "Handy Man" and other songs from that time frame.NONE of his later recordings are on that disc. That's my favorite collection.ALL A & B sides of his four charted songs are there. And they're ALL good!

Every since I first heard the Savoy's I have been trying to find their songs.Its been twenty years since the last record I got.It can be tricky when you find they had to change their name when leaving a record label.Anyway,it's a great journey to listen to.It wasn't easy for them.Thanks Amazon

Got this for a friend who is not computer friendly. He loves the oldies and is amazed that I can find and order just about anything he wants in these venues and they get to him in about 2 days. This set has 2 CD's and is what he wanted. He said it isn't stereo but it is an oldie you know. He is enjoying it very much. Packaged very well and came to him when it said it would. Reasonably priced. I was surprised that tax was charged so I guess Calif. is now charging taxes. That is too bad because is a little deterrent in ordering but as long as shipping is still free with Prime I guess I will continue to order.

This two disc set is a great value. The first disc features Jones' early doo wop material with various groups and an early version of "Handy Man" The second disc feaures mostly his solo material and contains the hard to get gem "That's When I Cried". The sound quality on this item is excellent.

Great

His voice sounds so great!

Good Timing and the rest is trash

he is great

DISC-1THE SPARKS OF RHYTHM(FEATURING JIMMY JONES ON LEAD TENOR)1.WOMAN WOMAN WOMAN(1955)2.DON'T LOVE YOU ANY MORE(1955)3.HURRY LOVE(1955)4.STARS IN THE SKY(1955)5.HANDY MAN(1960)6.EVERYBODY ROCK AND GO (1960)7.CRY ON MY SHOULDER(UNISSUED)8.SOMEWHERE(UNISSUED)THE SAVOYS(FEATURING JIMMY JONES ON LEAD TENOR)9.YOU(1955)10.SAY YOU'RE MINE(1955)11.WITH ALL MY HEART(1960)12.WE MADE A VOW(UNISSUED)THE PRETENDERS(FEATURING JIMMY JONES ON LEAD TENOR)13.I'VE GOT TO HAVE YOU BABY(1956)14.POSSESSIVE LOVE(1956)15.LOVER(VERSION 1 1956)16.PLAIN OLD LOVE(1956)17.THE BELLS ARE RINGING(VERSION 1 UNISSUED)18.THE BELLS ARE RINGING(VERSION 2 UNISSUED)19.LOVER(VERSION 2 UNISSUED)20.PART TIME SWEETHEART(1956)21.CLOSE YOUR EYES(1956)THE JONES BOYS(FEATURING JIMMY JONES ON LEAD TENOR)22.HEAVEN IN YOUR EYES(1957)23.THE WHISTLIN' MAN(1957)DISC-2THE PRETENDERS(FEATURING JIMMY JONES ON LEAD TENOR)1.TONIGHT(1958)2.I LOVE YOU SO(1958)3.BLUE AND LONELY(1958)4.DADDY NEEDS BABY(1958)JIMMY JONES SOLO5.YOU FOR ME FOR LOVE(1959)6.WHENEVER YOU NEED ME(1959)7.HANDY MAN(1960)8.THE SEARCH IS OVER(1960)9.GOOD TIMIN'(1960)10.MY PRECIOUS ANGEL(1960)11.I JUST GO FOR YOU(1960)12.THAT'S WHEN I CRIED(1960)13.EE-I-EE-I-OH(1960)14.ITCHIN'(1960)15.FOR YOU(1960)16.READY FOR LOVE(1960)1960 MGM LP-3847-"HANDY MAN"17.A WONDROUS PLACE18.NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD19.WHERE IN THE WORLD20.THEN I'LL KNOW21.TOO LONG WILL BE TOO LATEジミー・ジョーンズは1937年アラバマ州生まれ。何と言っても、大ヒットした"HANDY MAN"(1960年2位）と"GOOD TIMIN'"(1960年3位）の2曲で有名です。ジミー・ジョーンズのトレード・マークは、ファルセット（裏声）を駆使したその歌唱にあります。前者のヒットは、これもまたファルセットを駆使した歌手として有名なデル・シャノンによってもカヴァーされ、ヒットしています。後者は我が国では坂本九のカヴァーで有名でしょうか。どちらも黒人歌手とは思えないほどのポップな出来で、ヒット・パレードを賑わせました。しかし、このジミー・ジョーンズには長い下積み時代があったのです。1950年代の中ごろから、ドゥ・ワップ・グループのスパーク・オブ・リズム、サヴォイズ、プリテンダーズ、ジョーンズ・ボーイズ、それぞれでリード・シンガーをしていたのです。聴いてみると、たしかにヒットしそうな曲は正直あまりないかも....しかし、DISC-1の13曲目、"I'VE GOT TO HAVE YOU BABY"などはフランキー・ライモン調の明るい曲で、ジミーも例のファルセットで張り切っています。これなんかは少しくらい話題になっても良かったのでは？と思える曲です。彼の歌唱法は、このころにすでに出来上がっていたことがわかりますよ。本CDは、そんなジミー・ジョーンズのドゥ・ワップ時代から、ソロでヒットを出したカブ・レコード時代までを順に追った内容です。なお、ジミー・ジョーンズは、残念ながら昨年の2012年8月2日に亡くなってしまったようです。合掌。

Despite being a double cd, only a handful of tracks worth listening too.

Période nostalgie ,pour ceux qui aiment les ballades avec une voix sensuelle ;toujours agréable a re écouter ;comme Aaron Neville.

I purchased this album just for one record however there is many good songs on it for me to listen yo

Probably because I was expecting more great tracks like Good Timing, and again very little information on the tracks and I found the case of rather poor quality.