Close to You and More [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Frank Sinatra

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 8, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 1957
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00005UMTB
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #49,639 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
One of the most conceptually daring of Sinatra's Capitol albums returns to print in this 24-bit remaster. Close to You put the singer and arranger Nelson Riddle together with the Hollywood String Quartet, a small rhythm section, and guests including Sinatra regular Harry "Sweets" Edison for one of his most intimate sets. The delivery is very conversational and especially suits lyrics like "Blame It on My Youth," "I Couldn't Sleep a Wink Last Night," and Johnny Mercer's wry "P.S. I Love You." These emotionally generous ballads are often relaxed but are no less intense for it. Three bonus tracks complete the 1956 Close sessions and include a straight-faced reading of the Bing Crosby novelty number "There's a Flaw in My Flue." A marvelous disc that both stands on its own and demonstrates the flexibility of the era's downbeat Sinatra. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

Franks Sinatra Photos

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the wait., February 10, 2002

By	Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Why this album has been out of print for the better part of 15 years defies credibility. The album was a labor of love for Sinatra, who required 8 months and 5 recording sessions to make everything--the song selections, nuanced orchestrations, sensitive readings--just right. These are not the "suicide songs" of the better-known ballad collections such as "In the Wee Small Hours" and "Only the Lonely." The spare orchestration--usually string quartet with the addition of one other instrument, whether a French horn, clarinet, flute or oboe--complements the nuanced, ironical yet fully sincere, readings Sinatra brings to each lyric. The tunes range from the familiar ("It's Easy to Remember," "With Every Breath I Take") to the under-recorded ("Close to You") to the esoteric (Arlen/Capote's "No More Goodbyes," my personal favorite). As for "There's a Flaw in My Flue," the real gag here is that Sinatra is able to render the lyric with such persuasive emotional rhetoric that the listener doesn't know whether to laugh or cry--perhaps we just smile with deep appreciation, sensing that moments this intimate and revealing are hard to come by in American popular song. Even the best song lyrics can sound false and silly in the repertory of lesser singers, no matter how resplendent their vocal equipment. It's Sinatra's singular believability that makes these songs plus the delicate arrangements come to life, that makes them feel unbelievably close.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Companion Piece, October 2, 2006

By	Dion Wright (Flagstaff, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album is the other book-end to go with "Only the Lonely". Frank Sinatra did much, much work, but never exceeded these albums in artistic quality, i.e. addressing the human condition in universal terms, and with a maximum of un-forced feeling. Sweets Edison, of course, is the constant commentator through his muted horn who never fails to synch in with judicious sensibility and right-on sensitivity. "Close to You" equals "OTL" in nostalgic chops, but floats more serenely above the depths. In this album the depths are plainly there to contemplate, while in the other one you are IN the depths.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece, January 8, 2005

By	Eric Mascarin (Panama) - See all my reviews

I have absolutely all of the Frank Sinatra music that he record for each of the disc company : RCA (today Sony-BMG), Columbia, Capitol and Reprise (today WB). Well, this is the most finiest af all. Frank is in the very best voice and his interpretation is very sincerily. It's a very beautiful song and with excellent interpretation of the Hollywood quartet. When I hear this music I think I am in a very pleasure world, for example along the river with very beautiful trees or in a peaceful hall. For a fan of Frank this is one you must have.