Customer Reviews

Capitol Collectors Series: Frank Sinatra

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While no individual CD can come even remotely close to covering Sinatra's career, or even his stint with a specific label for that matter, if you are looking for one solid CD by Frank Sinatra, this would be a good one. Though most of the arrangements here are by Nelson Riddle, the best arrangement on this album is by the amazing Billy May with his orchestration of "South of the Border." Also, there are some amazing slow ballads in here including "From Here to Eternity," "Don't worry 'Bout Me," and "Melody of Love" which was orchestrated by Ray Anthony. Throw in other Sinatra standards such as "Chicago" and "High Hopes" and you have an excellent collection, although, once again, far from a complete one.

The Capitol Collectors Series is one of the finest such compilations available, covering most of the major artists to have recorded with that label, founded by Johnny Mercer, over the years.

But I have to agree with some of the other reviewers who feel that producer Ron Furmanek could have used just a bit more imagination when putting this one together. Unlike, say, The Four Preps, Kay Starr, and Ray Anthony, each with substantially less hits for the label, Sinatra registered close to 40 hit singles during his years there from 1953 to 1961.

The problem is, for the most part, the ones included here, great as they are, have been part and parcel of countless other Sinatra albums, with the possible exceptions of tracks 1, 8, 15, and 19.

Real collectors would have given their eye teeth to have seen the following Capitol hits, which are extremely hard to find outside of expensive box sets: Flowers Mean Forgiveness - # 21 in early 1956; Your Sensational - # 52 in summer 1956; You're Cheatin' Yourself (If You're Cheatin' On Me) - # 25 in summer 1957; Mr. Success - # 41 in late 1958; Ol' MacDonald - # 25 in late 1960 - all with Nelson Riddle.

The sound reproduction is, as is the case with all in the series, excellent, and in addition to two pages of liner notes written by Denise Cox, you get a full discography of the contents.

For the young set wishing to experience Sinatra at his commercial 1950s best, this is the perfect one to start with. For old collectors like me we can only wish that a bit more thought and research had gone into the effort back in 1989.

Okay baby,the cover photo was embellished by a computer,and yesterday you told me you wanted at least a sample of SINATRA's CAPITOL singles because the complete singles collection is too expensive.I have found it for you,this is it.You have signatures songs:I'VE GOT THE WORLD ON A STRING,SOUTH OF THE BORDER,HIGH HOPES;you have singles not available on albums:HEY JEALOUS LOVER,MELODY OF LOVE,DON'T WORRY'BOUT ME;you have a few chat before a few songs;you have excellent liner notes.Now since you are satisfied in every way,can we make love peacefully?Did i tell you that my girlfriend's name was KAY?Now you know.

>>Though most of the arrangements here are by Nelson Riddle, the best arrangement on this album is by the amazing Billy May with his orchestration of "South of the Border."<<

Actually Riddle wrote this one, too. At his first recording session with Sinatra (April 30, 1953), he "ghosted" for Billy May and a fine job he made of it. (May was touring with his orchestra and unavailable at the time.) For years the arrangement was credited to Billy May, but trust me... it's Nels. (And if you don't trust me, check the Sessionography included in THE COMPLETE CAPITOL SINGLES COLLECTION.)

An enjoyable CD, though quite different from the 20 songs I would have chosen as the best Capitol-era singles. (Most popular does not necessarily mean artistically superior.) Sinatra hated "Jealous Lover," yet it ends up on every collection. Tony Bennett once cited "Don't Worry 'Bout Me" as his favorite Sinatra song -- a more mature version can be heard on SINATRA AT THE SANDS. "World on a String," "Learning the Blues," and "Witchcraft" are among the best of any era, and "Can I Steal a Little Love" is jolly good fun -- not at all bland!

Three and 1/2 stars, I'd say -- more original song selection would net a higher rating. But you can't go far wrong with anything Sinatra did at Capitol Records.

P.S. I too love the poet laureate of lounge singers. But when did Sinatra ever send the band home? With a very few notable exceptions, he always had a big band swingin' behind him. The saloon singer emerged in 1955 with WEE SMALL HOURS, and he's been salving broken hearts ever since.

Nothing much to justify this Sinatra release. The addition of one track is insufficient to have re-released this compilation.

some of Sinatra earler work, the list of songs are:
1 i'm walking behind you
2 I've got the world on a string
3 from here to eterniy
4 south of the border
5 young at heart
6 don't worry 'bout me
7 three coins in the fountain
8 melody of love
9 learning the blues
10 same old saturday night
11 love and marriage
12 (love is) the tender trap
13 (how little it matters) how little we know
14 hey jealous lover
15 can I steal a little love
16 all the way
17 chicago
18 witchcraft
19 high hopes
20 nice 'n' easy

If you're into watching paint dry as a hobby, this is the album for you. The only saving grace on this outing is the Nelson Riddle orchestra. I found this album with very few exceptions bland to say the least. And what's with the engineer announcing the takes on 3 of these songs? Should we care? Capital did the same thing on the Nat Cole collection disc. Go get yourself the Tony Bennett 'Ultimate' collection if you want to hear crooning with heart.