For the "In" Crowd is the nineteenth studio album by American singer Jack Jones, released in January 1966 by Kapp Records. The project saw him continue recording with producer Michael Kapp and working again with arranger Don Costa. For the "In" Crowd was met with a mostly positive critical reception, and also reached the pop charts.
In 1965, Jack Jones was still having regular pop and easy listening hits.[4] At the start of the year he had his final top 20 pop hit and another Easy Listening chart topper with "The Race Is On", and in the middle of the year he hit the top 10 on the easy listening charts again with "Just Yesterday". [5] This led him to continue recording contemporary-oriented singles like before, and later to record an album aimed at the current pop markets, titled For the "In" Crowd,[6] although his personal style didn't change.[6]
Recording and content
It contained a total of 12 tracks, with them being split into six on side one, and six on side two, with the album's runtime clocking in just shy of 28 minutes.[7] The album was made up of modern pop hits like "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" by Lesley Gore, "What the World Needs Now Is Love" by Jackie DeShannon and "Yesterday" by The Beatles.[6] But it also contained some different songs like his hit single "Love Bug" highlighted on the front cover, which had a country touch and originals like "The Weekend" and "Wildflower".[2] It also featured a swinging version of the title song "The 'In' Crowd".[8]
For the "In" Crowd was given a positive critical response following its release, and was noted for its commerciality. [2]Cashbox magazine stated that the "highly popular with the lovers of the tender romance ballad" Jack Jones makes an appearance in the rock idiom with a "package that should build his following even larger. Highlighted by winners from recent rock crops, including 'What The World Needs Now Is Love' and 'Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows'. The buoyancy and easy Jones stylings make the LP a strong contender for chart honors."[2]Record World magazine believed that the album was fresh; "The Jones boy scanned the recent bestseller charts for this package and selected a bunch of tunes well suited to his styling. The songs, arranged and conducted by the ubiquitous, tireless, peerless Don Costa are fresh and compelling. 'What the World Needs Now Is Love,' 'Yesterday,' 'Baby I'm Yours,' 'The Weekend' and a pretty newie, 'Wildflower.'[10] It was given a three-star rating by Encyclopedia of Popular Music as well.[9]Don Costa who had also worked with Jones on previous albums said that:
Jack is one of the few singers today who can adapt and interpret today's music without basically changing his own style.
—Costa's observation, Liner notes
Release, chart performance and singles
For the "In" Crowd was released by Kapp Records in January 1966 (KL 1465/KS 3465) and was the nineteenth studio album of his career. In the United Kingdom it was released by London Records (HAR 8286), with the front and back covers being changed a little bit.[11] The album was offered as a vinyl LP, both in stereo and mono. It debuted on Billboard magazine's Top LP's chart in the issue dated March 26, 1966, peaking at No. 147 during a two-week run on the chart.[12] The album debuted on Cashbox magazine's Looking Ahead Albums chart in the issue dated January 29, 1966, peaking at No. 102 during a seven-week run on the chart.[13] The album debuted on Record World magazine's 100 Top LP's chart in the issue dated February 5, 1966,[14] peaking at No. 75 during a four-week run on the chart.[15]
The project included three singles. The first was "Just Yesterday" issued in September 1965.[16] It reached the bottom half of the pop charts, (No. 73 Billboard Hot 100, No. 83 Cashbox Top 100 Singles).[17][18] The single also peaked at No. 5 on the BillboardEasy Listening chart.[5] The next single was "Love Bug" issued in November 1965. It was the most successful one included in the album, it quickly reached No. 71 on the Billboard Hot 100[17] and No. 56 on the Cashbox Top 100 Singles,[18] taking the No. 5 spot on the Easy Listening chart as well.[5] The single appeared on RPM's Adult Contemporary chart too, reaching No. 6.[19] The third and final single was "The Weekend" with "Wildflower" on the B-side, issued in January 1966 like the album.[20] It was ranked lower than the previous ones, bubbling under the Hot 100 at No. 23[21] and just reaching the Cashbox Top 100 Singles at No. 100.[18] "The Weekend" also peaked at No. 20 on the Easy Listening chart.[5]
↑"Just Yesterday"/"The True Picture" (7" vinyl single) (Media notes). Jack Jones. Kapp Records. September 1965. K-699.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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