Frank sinatra in Pop Vocal Music

"Love Songs [Columbia/Legacy]" (01/09/2001) Pop Vocal Sinatra, Frank, Legacy RecordingsCompilation producers: Didier C. Deutch, Charles L. Granata, Darcy M. Proper. Recorded between 1943 & 1952. Includes liner notes by James Gavin. Digitally remastered by Darcy M. Proper (April 2000, Sony Music Studios). Liner Note Author: James Gavin. Recording information: 12/01/1944-02/06/1952. Arranger: Axel Stordahl. This selection of classic Frank Sinatra ballads from the singer's heyday in the 1940s and '50s, when he was the darling of teenage bobbysoxers countrywide, features the singer at perhaps his purest, with his voice still achingly vulnerable on tracks like "I Fall in Love Too Easily" and "Embraceable You" (two of five previously unreleased alternate takes featured in this collection). Sinatra conjures both love's joy and heartbreak, and his delivery is perfectly complemented by Axel Stordahl's masterfully romantic string arrangements.

"The Essential Frank Sinatra: The Columbia Years" (06/10/2003) Pop Vocal Sinatra, Frank, Legacy RecordingsPersonnel includes: Frank Sinatra (vocals); Felix Slatkin (violin); Arthur Baker (clarinet); Bobby Hackett (cornet); The Ray Charles Singers. Compilation producers: Didier C. Deutsch, Charles L. Granata, Darcy M. Proper. Recorded between 1944 & 1952. Includes liner notes by Charles L. Granata. Personnel: Felix Slatkin (violin); Arthur Baker, Bobby Hackett (clarinet); Stacey Boyle (sound effects). Liner Note Author: Charles Granata. Recording information: 11/14/1944-06/03/1952. Arrangers: Heine Beau; George Siravo. An assortment of songs from the first two decades of arguably the 20th century's greatest male American singer, THE ESSENTIAL... captures Frank Sinatra at his early interpretive best in the 1940s and early '50s, performing novelty numbers like "The Coffee Song" and weary, after-hours blues like "One More for My Baby" with equal flair and verve. A rarity here is "The House I Live In," a patriotic hymn to American diversity, which demonstrates Sinatra's ability to perform even the most sentimental material convincingly.

"Platinum & Gold Collection" (08/19/2003) Pop Vocal Sinatra, Frank, RCA Records (USA)Personnel includes: Frank Sinatra (vocals); Tommy Dorsey And His Orchestra. Recorded between 1940 & 1942. Includes liner notes by Bill Kirchner. This is part of BMG's Heritage Platinum & Gold Collection. Personnel: Frank Sinatra (vocals); Pied Piper (vocals); Buddy DeFranco (clarinet); Bunny Berigan (trumpet); Tommy Dorsey (trombone); Buddy Rich (drums). Liner Note Authors: Reuben Jackson; Bill Kirchner. Recording information: Hollywood, CA (11/11/1940-07/01/1942); New York, NY (11/11/1940-07/01/1942). Twelve of the 87 songs that Frank Sinatra recorded with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra between 1940 and 1942 at the start of his career are featured in this entertaining and instructive best-of. The band's versatility is matched by Sinatra's youthful energy--the singer switches expertly from upbeat songs like "Oh! Look at Me Now" to smooth love songs like "I'll Never Smile Again," and his intimate delivery on the romantic "Night and Day" and "The Song Is You" heralds his later immense popularity among younger audiences.

"Duets/Duets II 90th Birthday Limited Collector's Edition [Box] [Limited]" (11/22/2005) Pop Vocal Sinatra, Frank, Capitol/EMI RecordsDUETS AND DUETS II contains a one-hour bonus CD, "Frank Sinatra Duets/The Radio Special." Personnel includes: Frank Sinatra, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Julio Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Charles Aznavour, Carly Simon, Liza Minnelli, Anita Baker, Bono, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Luis Miguel, Patti Labelle, Jon Secada, Linda Ronstadt, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Chrissie Hynde, Willie Nelson, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme, Lena Horne, Jimmy Buffett, Lorrie Morgan, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Neil Diamond (vocals); Kenny G (soprano saxophone). Personnel: Paul Viapiano, Ron Anthony (guitar); Michael Melvoin (piano); Chuck Berghofer, Dave Stone (bass instrument); Gregg Field, Jeff Hamilton (drums); Chrissie Hynde, Eydie Gorme, Gloria Estefan, Jimmy Buffett, Jon Secada, Kenny G, Lena Horne, Liza Minnelli, Lorrie Morgan, Luis Miguel, Luther Vandross, Neil Diamond, Patti LaBelle, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Julio Iglesias, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gladys Knight, Linda Ronstadt, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Barbra Streisand, Bono , Wille Nelson, Carly Simon, Charles Aznavour. During the 1970s and '80s, Frank Sinatra was so disheartened by the state of pop music and by the deterioration of his voice that he kept canceling album projects and recording sessions. This is a real shame because much of his best material from this same period has turned out to be from the very sessions that he quickly abandoned. This continued on until the early '90s, when Sinatra's wife Barbara persuaded him to record these two duets albums. She wanted to get him energized about his career again and she wanted to have a piece of his recorded legacy to call her own (royalties from Sinatra's Capitol Recordings go to charity, royalties from his Reprise recordings go to his children, while the ones from both of these duets albums mainly go to Barbara). Both of these albums were huge successes and have actually outsold most of his original releases. The only problem is that they shouldn't have been made in the first place. While neither disc is terrible, they are pretty bad when held against most of Sinatra's considerable back catalog. This matter only gets worse when all of the songs heard here are famous Sinatra standards done in the same tempos that everybody knows. So, not only is the 78-year-old Sinatra competing against his younger self, he's also competing against the exact versions of songs that he cut in his prime. This two-disc set is really aimed as a gift purchase during the holidays. If you really want to pick up some Frank Sinatra you'd be better served by getting a two-disc overview of his Capitol or Reprise years than this set. ~ Nick Dedina Capitol repackaged and re-released Frank Sinatra's Duets/Duets II as a slipcased box set to coincide with the singer's 90th birthday. It's not a bad way to acquire the albums if you don't already own them, and it does include one bonus track "My Way" with Willie Nelson, making this version of marginal interest to hardcore collectors. ~ Al Campbell

"Songs from the Movies" (03/14/2006) Pop Vocal Sinatra, Frank, Collectables RecordsArrangers: Alec Wilder; Percy Faith; Axel Stordahl. Collecting songs by a variety of legendary songwriters, including Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer, Jimmy Van Heusen, Yip Harburg, and Harold Arlen, this collection of Frank Sinatra classics from the 1940s features the singer's interpretation of tunes from 10 of the decade's most popular celluloid hits, including THE WIZARD OF OZ, ANCHORS AWEIGH, and EASTER PARADE.

"Come Swing with Me! [Remaster]" (01/08/2002) Pop Vocal Sinatra, Frank, Capitol/EMI RecordsPersonnel includes: Frank Sinatra (vocals); Billy May, Nelson Riddle, Skip Martin (arranger, conductor); Heinie Beau (arranger). Recorded between December 8, 1953 and March 6, 1962. Includes liner notes by Pete Welding. All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of Capitol Records "Entertainer Of The Century" series. The third Sinatra-Billy May album recorded for Capitol continues in the effortlessly swinging vein of its predecessors, COME FLY WITH ME and COME DANCE WITH ME. This period of Sinatra's recording career found him in a particularly nostalgic mood, as he was simultaneously working on I REMEMBER TOMMY, a look back at his days with the Dorsey band. The selections here also hark back to that time, though a bit less specifically. Featured are Sinatra's modernized swing takes on tunes like "Yes, Indeed" and "I've Heard That Song Before," Big Band classics associated respectively with former Sinatra bosses Dorsey and Harry James.

"Sings Songs from the Movies" (10/06/2003) Pop Vocal Sinatra, Frank, Sony Music Distribution (USA)Recording information: 11/10/1943-08/02/1950. Arrangers: Percy Faith; Axel Stordahl; Alec Wilder. Collecting songs by a variety of legendary songwriters, including Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer, Jimmy Van Heusen, Yip Harburg, and Harold Arlen, this collection of Frank Sinatra classics from the 1940s features the singer's interpretation of tunes from 10 of the decade's most popular celluloid hits, including THE WIZARD OF OZ, ANCHORS AWEIGH, and EASTER PARADE.

"The Voice" (03/03/1999) Pop Vocal Sinatra, Frank, Classic RecordsPersonnel includes: Frank Sinatra (vocals); Axel Stordahl, George Siravo (conductor); George Van Epps, Matty Golizio, David Barbour, Allan Reuss (guitar); David Frisina, Mischa Russell, Raoul Polikian, Leonard Posner, Fred Buldrini, Mac Ceppos, Sid Harris, Maurice Hershaft, Harry Katzman, Silvan Kirsner, Leo Kruczek, Felix Orlewitz, Merle Pitt, Zelly Smirnoff, Harry Urbont, Jack Zyde (violin); Samuel Freed , Jr., Sidney Brecher, Soloman Deutch, Harold Furmansky, Allan Harshman, David Sterkin, Garry White (viola); Mitch Miller (oboe); Harold Lawson, Don Logiudice, Babe Russin, Leonard Hartman (saxophone); John Ryan, Frank Siravo, Herman Alpert, Philip Stevens, Arthur Shapiro (bass); Nat Polen, Noris Shawker, Johnny Blowers (drums). Originally released on Columbia (743). Master Sound releases are 24-karat gold CDs remastered from first-generation masters. This process utilizes 20-bit technology and Sony's "Super Bit Mapping" system. Personnel includes: Frank Sinatra (vocals); Axel Stordahl, George Siravo (conductor); George Van Epps, Matty Golizio, David Barbour, Allan Reuss (guitar); David Frisina, Mischa Russell, Raoul Polikian, Leonard Posner, Fred Buldrini, Mac Ceppos, Sid Harris, Maurice Hershaft, Harry Katzman, Silvan Kirsner, Leo Kruczek, Felix Orlewitz, Merle Pitt, Zelly Smirnoff, Harry Urbont, Jack Zyde (violin); Samuel Freed , Jr., Sidney Brecher, Soloman Deutch, Harold Furmansky, Allan Harshman, David Sterkin, Garry White (viola); Mitch Miller (oboe); Harold Lawson, Don Logiudice, Babe Russin, Leonard Hartman (saxophone); John Ryan, Frank Siravo, Herman Alpert, Philip Stevens, Arthur Shapiro (bass); Nat Polen, Noris Shawker, Johnny Blowers (drums). Recorded between 1945 & 1950. Originally released on Columbia (743). Most of the Sinatra recordings available during the 1950s consisted of his contemporary work for Capitol Records. But every so often his former label, Columbia Records, would get something together on LP from among his '40s and early-'50s sides. The Voice was one of a handful of '50s long-players showcasing the first phase of Sinatra's solo career, and at the time it wowed listeners -- the focus is on the ballads, and the dozen represented here constitute a bumper crop of classics, all resplendent in the singer's richest, most overpowering intonation and most delicately nuanced work. The sensibilities, from the lushly seductive "Laura" to the gently self-satisfied "(I Got a Woman Crazy for Me) She's Funny That Way," show off a huge emotional range, and the latter song may be the highlight of the album, displaying a soft yet smugly confident brand of machismo, all of it drenched in Axel Stordahl's overflowing string arrangements, yet quietly bold in its emotional content. It's that stretch of subtexts that, coupled with the beauty of Sinatra's instrument and Stordahl's arrangements, make the singer's Columbia material so striking to hear -- his subsequent work on Capitol and Reprise would be defined differently, and usually more directly, along with the texture and range of his singing. The Columbia material tended to get neglected, both in the marketplace and most listeners' minds, as his career extended across the decades, but hearing The Voice anew is a reminder of just how overpowering Sinatra's sound could be, even in the early phase of his solo work. This album -- which was actually a re-editing (and something of a corruption) of his 78 rpm album The Voice of Frank Sinatra -- was a huge seller at the time of its release in 1955, and it's a sign of just how large it loomed in Columbia's history that it was among the earliest releases selected for inclusion in Sony Music's audiophile-oriented Mastersound CD series of the early '90s, deluxe packaging, gold CD and all. ~ Bruce Eder

"No One Cares [Remaster]" (01/08/2002) Pop Vocal Sinatra, Frank, Capitol/EMI RecordsPersonnel includes: Frank Sinatra (vocals); Gordon Jenkins, Nelson Riddle (arranger, conductor). Recorded between 1953 and 1959. Includes liner notes by Pete Welding. This is part of Capitol Records "Entertainer Of The Century" series. Personnel: Frank Sinatra (vocals). Liner Note Author: Pete Welding. Unknown Contributor Role: Larry Walsh. Arranger: Gordon Jenkins. This 1959 recording stands with ONLY THE LONELY and IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS as one of Sinatra's premier albums of "saloon songs"--those songs in which he takes the role of the jilted lover drowning his sorrows in drink and telling his sad story to anyone who'll listen (most likely the bartender, as in ONLY THE LONELY's "One For My Baby"). When it comes to elegant displays of heartsick despair, latter-day crooners like Chris Isaak can't hold a candle to the old master. Sinatra inhabits these songs so convincingly it's hard to believe his real life was the lurid, Hefneresque tale that it actually was. On chestnuts like "Stormy Weather" and "I'll Never Smile Again," his is the voice of a man bereft of love and unable to vanquish his obsessions. On the gorgeous ballad "I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You," he doesn't even get that far; his character can't even escape the wall of self-doubt that renders his romantic aspirations futile. Gordon Jenkins's orchestrations complement Sinatra's brokenhearted plaints perfectly throughout the proceedings.

"Where Are You? [Remaster]" (01/08/2002) Pop Vocal Sinatra, Frank, Capitol/EMI RecordsPersonnel includes: Frank Sinatra (vocals); Gordon Jenkins, Nelson Riddle (arranger, conductor). Recorded between April and May 1957. Includes liner notes by Pete Welding. All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of Capitol Records "Entertainer Of The Century" series. Personnel: Frank Sinatra (vocals). Liner Note Author: Pete Welding. Arrangers: Gordon Jenkins; Nelson Riddle. This 1957 recording marks Sinatra's first collaboration with arranger Gordon Jenkins. Jenkins was an innovator whose sympathetic orchestrations for Sinatra, second only to those of Nelson Riddle, would mark a bright period in the singer's long, celestial career. Besides his phenomenal vocal abilities, one of the things that set Sinatra apart from his contemporaries was his conceptual vision. He was one of the first pop singers to release albums that were thematically connected groups of songs, rather than just a haphazard collection of singles (take that, SGT. PEPPER!). The material Sinatra chose for WHERE ARE YOU reflects a mood of wistful regret and romantic longing, a mood the Chairman could mine more effectively than anybody this side of Mark Eitzel. The unadulterated sadness of "Lonely Town" is as beautiful as it is unrelenting. Sinatra sings like a man painted into an emotional corner, powerless to change his predicament, and condemned to watch life and love blossom all around him while he remains isolated. "I'm A Fool To Want You" finds him examining the futility of his desires, backed by an unforgettable minor-key melody and a subtle, ghostly string arrangement. And that's not even mentioning the four bonus tracks.

"16 Most Requested Songs" (05/16/1995) Pop Vocal Sinatra, Frank, Legacy RecordingsPersonnel includes: Frank Sinatra (vocals); Axel Stordahl (conductor, arranger); Bobby Tucker Singers, Ken Lane Singers (background vocals); Harry James & His Orchestra. Compilation producer: Didier C. Deutsch. Recorded between August 31, 1939 and June 3, 1952. Includes liner notes by Arnold Jay Smith. Digitally remastered by Mark Wilder (Sony Music Studios, New York). This is part of Legacy's 16 Most Requested Songs series. These 16 fine selections are all taken from Sinatra's early years at Columbia. The CD opens with his first charted hit, the wonderful "All or Nothing At All" (recorded in 1939 with Harry James and his Orchestra). The years 1940-42 were Dorsey years, captured on RCA; but Sinatra came back to Columbia a true star in 1943, and, until the mid-50s, produced many records with his own arranger and conductor, Axel Stordahl. Although there were uptempo, swinging numbers recorded during this stretch (Sinatra swaggers on "Saturday Night Is The Loneliest Night of the Week") this era is best characterized as dreamy and romantic. Songs like "Dream (When You're Feeling Blue)," "Nancy (With the Laughing Face)," "The Things We Did Last Summer" and "Fools Rush In" are richly orchestrated, heavy with strings and harp. Sinatra is unfailingly confident and smooth. Also included here are novelties like the "The Coffee Song (They've Got An Awful Lot of Coffee in Brazil)" and "Soliloquy (Parts 1 & 2)" from the musical, Carousel.