Customer Reviews

Classic Sinatra II [+digital booklet]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It'd be easy to be cynical about this compilation, and to assume that it's second string stuff, but that is not the case here. Sinatra recorded 16 concept albums for the Capitol label, and 10 of them are represented here, plus four singles and a previously unreleased bonus track. (By the way, the bonus track, although short in length, is excellent, and if there is more of this caliber Sinatra material in Capitol's <or anybody's> vault, let's hope it is released for all to hear and enjoy!)

While the first (terrific) CLASSICS was a soaring series of adrenaline-inducing songs, CLASSICS II is a bit more subdued, but that is not a bad thing. CLASSICS II has more emotional depth in the music than CLASSICS. This is due to a liberal sprinkling of seven ballads throughout the 21 tracks here. These ballads, which include the intensely heart-broken songs, "Here's That Rainy Day", "I Get Along Without You Very Well", "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" (featuring some of Sinatra's greatest vocals ever), and the stunning "Angel Eyes", are key to understanding the emotional terrain Sinatra walked in his heart and soul. To hear these songs, and others on this compilation is to know the motivating forces behind Sinatra's musical art: loneliness and a great deal of emotional turbulence, expressed beautifully throughout CLASSICS II. That said, over half of the songs on CLASSICS II are exuberant swingers, but they are also filled with emotion: elation for the possibilities of love and romance.

CLASSICS II is a perfect SECOND purchase for those new to Sinatra. The first CLASSICS is, perhaps, a better introduction to Sinatra, but he will really get a grip on your heart (and ears) with CLASSICS II. For the seasoned Sinatraphile, this album is essential, for the bonus track, and for improved sound on at least several of the tracks.

It takes a little more work from the listener, but ultimately CLASSICS II is even more rewarding than the first CLASSICS compilation.

Obviously, the "powers that be" are marketing this collection directly to the people who purchased the first "Classic Sinatra" CD. Which...for a number of reasons...is a mistake.

In the strictest, "dictionary definition" sense, this CD most certainly contains "Classic Sinatra" performances.

But what made the first CD so powerful was its confidence-bordering-on arrogance, its swagger, its charm, its pure, unadulterated "Chairman of the Board"-ness.

That is not the overall vibe of this CD at all, so while the songs are all acknowledged heavy-hitters from the Sinatra catalog, there is no way that this CD should be so closely associated with the first "Classic Sinatra" CD. THAT CD's perfect companion piece, was, and still is, the sadly out-of-print (but still available) Greatest Love Songs.

Case in point: "Love and Marriage" and "High Hopes." YES, even the most casual Sinatra fan acknowledges the number of records sold. But they are almost "novelty songs" or "Sinatra Sings For Kids"...stack them up against the cool, cool swagger of "Oh! Look At Me Now" from the first "Classic Sinatra" CD and draw your own conclusions. When I'm in the mood to hear a song about a tough guy knocked down by love, I don't want to hear that same guy singing about ants and rubber tree plants.

There's also some of the moody "concept album" stuff..."Angel Eyes" and "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" from Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely...an album that is an unquestionable masterpiece, no matter how bleak, and completely out of step with the tone of the first "Classic" CD.

But that's just me.

There's no such thing as "A" Sinatra Sound. Some fans think the era of greatness...in the studio, if not on the concert stage...drew to a close when he left Capitol for Reprise. Others snap their fingers and tap their toes to "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and other later-period cover songs that the "swing" fans consider to be groaners and mis-steps.

So the purpose of my review is not to "reach agreement" on the man's career...that will never happen...but to say, in all honesty, that if you purchase "Classic Sinatra II" as someone who loved the first CD, expecting more of the same...

...it's not more of the same. That doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it. It simply means that the record label should have chosen a better name for the collection, without attempting to piggy-back on the success of the first CD.

Classic Sinatra II features nothing but incredible songs and ballads all performed immaculately by the great Frank Sinatra. Sinatra could interpret a lyric better than just about any of them ever could (and I do mean ever); and he always made it look so easy. Frank Sinatra's gift was so great that even to this day new CDs are being released for his fans who now span more than two generations. The quality of the sound on this CD is excellent and the artwork reflects good taste.

We get 21 songs here; and truthfully they are all wonderful. This is terrific for Frank's fans; and it also makes an excellent introductory album for newcomers just discovering his magnificent and exceptional artistry. The first track, for example, "Something's Gotta Give," features Frank swinging brightly to make this jazzy arrangement work to perfection--and beyond! Nobody could interpret lyrics better than Frank Sinatra could; and songs like "Something's Gotta Give" and others on this album prove it. Listen also for "Too Marvelous For Words;" Frank delivers this with panache and he never lets go of a superfluous note, either! I love it.

"From This Moment On" gets a fine treatment from Sinatra who sings this faultlessly--and how's about that brass? "I Get Along Without You Very Well" has Frank singing while the strings play so sweetly; and there's yet another gem when Frank performs "All Of Me." "All Of Me" charms me with its natural beauty and Frank aces this as effortlessly as if it were mere breathing! "Moonlight In Vermont" is most romantic; and "High Hopes" always brings a smile to my face. "High Hopes" has a terrific children's' chorus and they actually balance out Frank's vocals very well. "Pennies From Heaven" is another charmer and a true classic; this big band style arrangement works well as Frank delivers this flawlessly. I'm very impressed.

"I've Got A Crush On You" is very sweet and easy on the ear. "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" is very poignant; the music fits in well with Frank's vocals and this moving ballad gets the royal treatment from "The Chairman of the Board." "Memories Of You" stuns me with its beauty; and I really like "Our Love Is Here To Stay." "Our Love Is Here To Stay" is certainly a major highlight of this CD and you're bound to enjoy Frank's rendition of this ballad. "Just One Of Those Things" continues to showcase the fabulous talent of Sinatra and the CD ends very well with Frank performing "This Can't Be Love." It'll leave you wanting more!

And, fortunately, more is precisely what we all can enjoy with all those other Frank Sinatra CDs out there. We are so much better off for Frank having shared his gift with us. He sang with all his heart and soul; and he channeled his experiences with love and heartbreak into his songs which invariably made them so naturally appealing and even mesmerizing. We could all hear a bit of our own experiences whenever Frank sang; nobody could ever match Sinatra. Frank Sinatra was--and always will be--one of a kind.

"More of the same" is fine when you're a Sinatra fan, but this isn't a great follow up to Classic Sinatra. The songs are all great and, c'mon, it's Sinatra! But this is second-tier stuff, the hits that didn't fit on Classic Sinatra plus some filler. You know how sequels are usually a letdown? Welcome to Classic Sinatra II. Sinatra spent so much time avoiding exactly this sort of collection. It's not a concept album with a unifying mood. It's not a complete finger snappin' collection or a downbeat introspective weeper. It's just sort of, well, there. I'm also sort of stunned at how both collections are 90 percent Nelson Riddle, five percent Billy May and almost no Gordon Jenkins. Sinatra and Co. practically invented the concept album, the end-to-end albums that set a mood and kept you in it. It's sad that no-one at Capitol can figure out to do that with hundreds of pre-sung material just waiting to be collected into unified releases. "Romance: Songs From the Heart," a supposedly thought-out compilation, is all over the map, emotionally speaking. These 21 song compilation CDs that Capitol is putting out are so small-minded and unimaginative. Why not a boxed set of say, "Frank's Ultimate Swingin' Collection" or "Sinatra Sings for the Cruelly Unhappy"? Put out a Gordon Jenkins box set - that would be a great way to start. Look, if you're out to make money money with some of the greatest music ever recorded, why not do it first-class and coherently? These Classic Sinatra albums are musical roller coasters that can't settle onto a mood. It's like putting a stack of great albums on and hitting the "random shuffle" button. I like this album - a lot - but it really just makes me want to put on one of the concept albums.

This is one of the best remastered albums I have heard!!!! It is great , I garantee you would love this!!!

For long-time Sinatra fans, there's nothing new on this CD, except for the last track - This Can't Be Love - which, according to Sinatra expert Ed O'Brien, was one of the 62 prerecorded songs done for the ABC-TV series in 1957-58 (a new orchestra track was laid down behind the vocal for this CD.) That last track alone should make Sinatra collectors want this CD. However, even if This Can't Be Love was not on the album, the CD would still be a nice addition to anyone's collection or a great introduction to Sinatra's style and talent for the younger crowd. The songs are great, the arrangements superb, the sound is very good and all in all, this is a worthwhile successor to the first Classic Sinatra album.

So many memories in this Cd. The songs are unique and Frank has his voice at it's peak, smooth with sentiment and that big band beat. This CD is equal or better than Vol.1.

This CD has a collection of some of Frank Sinatra's most memorable songs. They could only be sung and interpreted by the master himself. My personal favorite is Moonlight in Vermont. We miss him dearly. Thank you for leaving us with your music Frank. You are still the, "Chairman of the Board."

In the words of Pete Hamill, Sinatra matters because of the songs. Especially the songs of his peak 1950s period with Capitol records. This is the second volume of selections from that era, and really, you can hardly go wrong picking any 20 cuts from those prime years. Are there some left out? Well, yes. I would have included "Rain (falling from the skies)" from the Capitol singles, "Lonely Town", "Don't Like Goodbyes" from Close to You, "Weep They Will" (Tony Bennett's favorite Sinatra song), "Blues in the Night" from Only the Lonely, "Old Devil Moon" (one of Riddle's greatest arrangements, from Swingin Lovers), and "She's Funny that Way" and "MamSelle" from Nice'n Easy. There are always a few more, of course...

In 100 or even a 1000 years, Sinatra will be remembered for these songs. They will endure because his performances are indelible.

I purchased, "Sinatra Classic" and, "Sinatra Classic II" and, "Nothing but the Best", and if your a Sinatra fan you will really love these three CD's. They are Sinatra at his best. He is animated, enthusiastic, warm and powerful and, in the pocket all the way. Sinatra delivers at another level. The band is fantastic and the quality of these CD's is the best I've heard in a long time. It's been a long time since I have had so much fun listening to Sinatra. I guess it's because the songs that are compiled are a collection of his best rendition of standards. Speaking of standards. Sinatra is to the standards as Mohammed Ali is to boxing. Sinatra gave a new face lift to the standards. He is also the best that has ever sung Pop Jazz music. He was and still is the belle epoque of pop singing. No one else compares.........Howard Gray