Customer Reviews

Allow Us to Be Frank

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am a swing and tap dance teacher in California and love to collect a wide range of old and new music. About three times a year I am brought to various places around the globe to teach, and while there I am introduced to global swing music.

Imagine my surprise last month while teaching in Norway to come across "Westlife." The teacher who'd brought me over was driving me around siteseeing and playing the cd in the car. Of course I recognized the arrangements, but not the voices. When she told me that this group was from Ireland, I couldn't have been happier. Imagine, being so far from home home in Norway, listening to music born in America over sixty years ago done so beautifully by Irish young men now! It pleased me no end that the "Great American Songbook" (as it is now being called) is being embraced by so many around the world!

I think "Westlife" does a fantastic job on all the tunes on this cd, really bringing to life the swing and jazz quality of the arrangements. They clearly love the genre. Well done!

If you are a swing fan, a fan of Frank's, or a dancer... I would definitely recommend adding this cd to your collection!

As 1) a guy, and 2) one who is not familiar with the original songs, I have to say that this is a suprisingly well sung album. I don't see why people criticize a 'lack of soul', or focus on the orchestra. I think that interpretations of what constitutes 'soul' in music varies from person to person. Personally, I think this album has plenty of 'soul', and to spare!
Also, while the orchestra does a great job, the vocals are what I LISTEN to. And, here, the vocals are GREAT.
The songs on this particular album may not sit well with some of the band's admirers given the types of songs that Westlife has sung in the past, but this CD is one that you can just pop into your player and press 'repeat'.

Relaxing, sometimes catchy, sometimes romantic, and otherwise just plain fun melodies, this is one that would be ideal for you if you just want something to relax to or even sing along with. Alternatively, also recommended if you're inviting someone over to your house for a date! :)

I was a long-time fan of Frank Sinatra's while in college, and finally got to see him perform live on his last concert tour. The songs Sinatra chose were timeless classics, as evidenced by the fact that performers are still resurrecting and recording them.

To those who condemn `pop singers' for recording Sinatra's classic old songs, I can only say that Sinatra was a pop singer in his own time, and the songs he recorded were the "pop" songs of his age.

Westlife's brilliant recording of selected songs by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, and Andy Williams is not only a superb recording, it is also an undeniable reminder of how talented and versatile these four young men are.

For those who are familiar with these songs, this CD is a timeless reminiscence with lavish orchestrations and the lush harmonies that can only be described as `the Westlife Sound." For those who are coming to this music for the first time, this CD is an excellent place to begin.

My only criticism of the album is that it is too short. I wanted more! But, given everything else going on with the group in the past year, I will overlook that.

Thank you, Westlife, for the enormous pleasure you have provided me over the past six years, and thank you for this fabulous album. I hope I am still around to write comments on your 12th CD.

I was a bit sceptical when i read Westlife would be doing a Frank Sinatra covers album, but I must admit the delivery really does justice to the material. Well done kids, there is life after the boysband tag after all :)

Michael's reviewing Westlife? When did he join this millennium? Well, they've made a CD of songs that Frank Sinatra first made famous and I honestly don't know what to think about it. They, too, are in my MP3 player and getting constant repetition.

Are the kids who like Westlife's original music suddenly going to turn into Sinatra fans? I dunno. Are Sinatra fans going to suddenly rush out and buy more Westlife after hearing this? I dunno. Will there be fans who don't even know these aren't brand new songs? Probably. But, you know, I enjoy over half of these songs. If Westlife does also, why shouldn't they sing them? And if this is how the songwriting lives on in the CD age, what the heck?

I'm glad I have this CD. Just for the record, I much prefer Bobby Darin to Frank Sinatra. (How many 42-year-old rednecks have such a firm opinion on this issue?) But hey, Westlife can sing. Prior to this CD, my impression of them was negative because what they sing about simply doesn't interest me, and which I presume they'll go back to now. This particular CD has some damn fine writing, which I tend to believe they'll never achieve again.

I grew up listening to the Rat Pack and I think the lads did a great job with this album. The tracks that were chosen is a nice mix from that time period.

In my opinion, they've captured the essence of the era well. The only other artist that captured it just as well is Harry Connick, Jr.

I liked every single track from this album (a rarity for a lot of the albums that I own by many artists)

I can see why they won the Celebrity Award after the single AIN'T THAT A KICK IN THE HEAD. Just listen to the first track and you'll find out why this is definitely one of my favorite albums (if not my favorite) by the lads.

The album was absolutely brilliant! it brings back the oldies through pop artists. They did very well recording it. They were incredibly precise with the mood of the songs. If i never heard of Frank Sinatra, i would think that Westlife was Frank. Now, i'm just gunna have to wait for Amazon to sell the turnaround tour dvd. hope that'll be soon.

Different from what we are used to from westlife, however very easy listening and a great way for them to show off their all round talent x

WESTLIFE accomplishes what others have tried and failed.
Any artist can cover songs, but few can make them their own and provide the energy to make them sound new.
Aint that a kick in the head should be placed on any future greatest hits and the beautiful Smile never sounded better.
The boys had fun recording this CD and you will thoroughly fall in love, again, with these classic hits.
If you want a real treat, purchase their latest DVD - The #1's Tour, and experience a brief opportunity to go back in time.
Young people, if you take the time to listen, you will truely appreciate and LOVE this material.

Besides a lot of people said that isn`t a good album I have to say that I love it, is an easy album excelent to listen in a paceful night or place, I`ve listen the original songs and I don`t like it to much, I love the way the sing this songs, for me are excelent!

and It is an excelent tribute to Frank!

I recomend this album!