The album opens with Jack’s version of one of Lynn Anderson’s early releases, “Too Much Of You”. Great version handled flawlessly by Jack. This could have easily been a hit for him.
Jack’s version of the Connie Smith hit, “Cincinnati, Ohio”, is okay, but not anything special. The arrangement feels like it’s lacking a little something, soundwise, and I think it’s because the song works better with the fuller, Nashville Sound that’s heard on the Connie Smith record.
On the other hand, his take on the Bobby Lewis hit, “Love Me And Make It All Better” is stellar. Had the Lewis version not been a hit, Jack’s version could have easily been. It’s as good as the original.
You could argue that Jack Greene was an underrated vocalist, and this album could be good evidence. Some of his albums were lacking, but not this one, and another prime example is his take on the classic “My Elusive Dreams”. Very fine sound, here.
“Left Over Feelings” is one of the originals found on the album. Good quality piece, that isn’t quite the same league as some of the other songs, here, but still very listenable, and of course, heightened by a fine performance by Jack Greene.
Side one ends with another of the originals, the one I think is the best on the disc, “We’ll Try A Little Bit Harder”. Nice, care-free sound, with it’s medium tempo and lite sound. Very good ending for the first side.
Side two opens with a song that hit for Ray Price, “I’m Still Not Over You”. Of the covers I’ve heard, Wilma Burgess has the best, but Jack’s isn’t bad. Vocally stellar, and overall, a good track.
On Glen Campbell’s “Gentle On My Mind”, the sound is actually little fuller than the original, believe it or not. Good, solid performance on this track, I’d say one of the better covers I’ve heard.
Like many albums of this era, this disc is loaded with covers, which continue with Bill Anderson’s hit “No One’s Gonna Hurt You Anymore”, of which this version is great, nearly as good as the Anderson hit version.
The third of the original sounds, here, is “Don’t Put Your Hurt In My Heart”, a bluesy-type track that shows Jack’s ability with the blues sound, very well. The song, itself, is rather ordinary, but Jack’s performance makes the track stronger than many other artists would.
Hmmm….Jack Greene singing Buck Owens….does it work? Pretty well, actually, as he tackles the Owens ballad “Your Tender Loving Care”. Not nearly as twangy as the Owens original, utilizing a smoother style, but it works pretty well, here.
The album wraps with the title cut, a big hit for Jack Greene in late 1957, spending a month at number two, but never hitting number one. ”What Locks The Door” is a strong track that was worthy of it’s performance as a single. A Jack Greene classic that deserves mention in the same breath as “Statue Of A Fool”, “There Goes My Everything”, and “You Are My Treasure”.
Long out of print, I had little problem finding used copies of this disc, most around $10.
Of course, the title hit gets the Standout Track nod, while the Hidden Gem goes to “Love Me And Make It All Better”. ”Don’t Put Your Hurt In My Heart” isn’t bad, but the composition, itself, isn’t quite as strong as the other eleven, thus I give it the Weakest Track.
Overall, one could argue rather strongly that this was Jack Greene’s best album and it would be hard to argue against it. Even though it’s heavy on covers, the chosen tracks are high quality pieces that Jack and his producer, Owen Bradley, were able to take and make some very good alternative versions that are strong pieces. I have to rate this one a 4 out of 5.
Your thoughts?
Saving vinyl, one record at a time.
Tweet
Jack Greene "What Locks The Door" Classic Album Review
No comments:
Post a Comment