Customer Reviews

Close to You & More

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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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.

"Close To You" is one of the few classic Capitol concept albums that has previously not been issued as a single title with 24 bit remastering (though it was available in the "Concepts" box in 24 bit). It was, however, previously available on CD and, as stated before, in the "Concepts" box. So, unless you're desperate for superior remastering, please note that the there are no additional bonus tracks on this new re-release. As for the music itself, it is, like all the Capitol albums, fantastic. It is also the most unique of the Capitol titles as it features SInatra backed by only a string quartet (the Hollywood String Quartet). The sound, as one can imagine, is much more sparse and, as a result, Frank's singing is much more delicate than on any other release of his career (with the possible exception of Reprise's "Sinatra/Jobim" album). Every selection is quite beautiful, which should not come as a surprise when one considers that Sinatra's finest arranger, Nelson Riddle, is once again at the helm. Though a ballads-only collection, the mood is a bit more upbeat and optimistic than on the doom and gloom titles "In the Wee Small Hours," "Where Are You?," "Only the Lonely," and "No One Cares." Why this particular album hasn't been as popular as it's contemporaries is beyond me - it really does feature some of Frank's best vocals (which is REALLY saying something). There's nothing else like it in the Sinatra cannon. Grab it before it goes out of print for ANOTHER decade!

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.

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.

What a masterful recording this is. Frank and Riddle in an intimate setting, singing songs that are not hits or even especially well-known. It matters little because the inimitable Chairman phrases every word beautifully and several of the songs will send shivers down your spine. Sinatra is in beautiful voice here, and the tender ballads are amazingly clear on this remastered disc. I would not recommend this CD if you're new to Sinatra or are just building a collection. Sample several greatest hits packages first, concentrating on his Capitol years. But if you've got everything else in your collection and are in the mood for some wistful, tender singing, spin this and you'll fall in love.

"Close to you, I will always stay
Close to you, though you're far away
You'll always be near
As though you were here by my side
No matter where - in my dreams I'll find you there
Close to me, sharing your caress
Can't you see you're my happiness?
Wherever you go, my heart will go, too
What can I do?
It only wants to be close to you."
~ Close To You ~ Al Hoffman/Carl Lampl/Jerry Livingston

"Close To You And More," recorded in 1956, is one of the finest and my absolute favorite Sinatra recordings of all-time. The choice of material is very impressive and his interpretations are flawless, heartfelt, sincere and so true to the lyrics of each song. This is another one of great collaborations with a fine arranger and conductor, Nelson Riddle. To me, Nelson Riddle was truly the best of all Sinatra arrangers/conductors for he had proved that he could master his craft on any recordings he handled, be it with a full orchestra or a small ensemble like the classically-influenced Hollywood String Quartet (husband and wife Felix and Eleonor Slatkin, Paul C. Shure and Alvin Dinkin). Mr. Sinatra, a classical music lover himself, heard the beauty and elegance on how the quartet played and fell in love with the quartet and in the process developed a close friendship with the Slatkins.

With fifteen nostalgic songs to listen to, this magnificent CD is bound to mesmerize and move you starting off with my top choice here, an achingly beautiful song, "Close To You" followed by one of Johnny Mercer and Gordon Jenkin's gems, a longingly sentimental "P.S. I Love You," down to heart-rending tracks, Jimmy McHugh and Harold Adamson's "I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night" and Edward Redding's "The End of a Love Affair."

Mr. Sinatra's gentle and affectionate treatments of Edward Heyman and Oscar Levant's "Blame It On My Youth," Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke's "It Could Happen To You" and a gem from Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, "It's Easy To Remember" are so sublime and perfectly covered.

"Your sweet expression
The smile you gave me
The way you looked when we met
It's easy to remember
But so hard to forget
I hear you whisper, "I'll always love you"
I know it's over and yet
It's easy to remember
But so hard to forget."

Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin's musical treasure, "With Every Breath I Take" is also one of my favorite songs of all-time.

"I think of you with every breath I take
With every breeze that wanders by
And your name is a song
I'll remember the long years through."

And yes. . . Frank Sinatra is like a song, a song we'll always remember the long years through.

With my heartfelt recommendation. A must-have to any Sinatra buff.

If ever you needed take 1 album with you, this is the one.
The vocals are clear and pure...The orchestration, sparse but tight, and the arraingements---purely beautiful...
Other than Frank's Nice 'N easy album, you could not go wrong with this collection. Buy it... Listen to it... And most of all enjoy the pure beauty of Sinatra's voice...At his best.

Frank Sinatra has to be the finest performer and recording artist of the 20th Century. A music critic mentioned 'something very special had to be going on inside the man to produce music like he has'. I always thought this statement captured a very accurate profile of Sinatra.

The quality of this cd like many of the others from the artist are very intimate - as if they are performed for the listener at home. Highly recommended. Personally I prefer "For Only The Lonely" but this cd is also a must have for your collection.

If you like something more up-beat, "Songs For Swinging Lovers" is probably the best recording from Sinatra - it happens to be in mono but don't let that influence your purchase.

The headline's no put down. The Hollywoods were one of the very premier String Qts of their era as any of their recordings (all available in excellent sound on Testament) will prove.

Sinatra, the Hollywoods, and Nelson's arrangements - he met his match and played to the very top of his game. One of Sinatra's finest albums, and he knew it.

Questionable whether Capitol did, or they wouldn't have kept it out of catalogue for so long. Buy it before they decide it's too good for us again.

Often forgotten in the pantheon of great Sinatra albums, "Close To You And More" is in fact one of Frank Sinatra's most universally satisfying efforts. His voice is in great shape, the songs are excellent, and of course he's working with Nelson Riddle, who never recorded a bad album with The Master.

The environment for the record is very smooth and relaxed. In contrast to the larger array of musicians Frank was accustomed to recording with, the backing musicians for "Close To You" are the Hollywood String Quarter, a minimalist rhythm section, and a few guest musicians (including the famous Harry "Sweets Edison"). Frank's singing on the album is some of his best. His voice doesn't rise to the operatic peaks of later masterworks such as "Sinatra & Strings" and "The Concert Sinatra," but is very laid back and quiet. This style of singing that Frank adapts gives the song a more personal, almost conversational feel that makes the album all the more intimate.

As for the songs themselves? Excellent. "Close To You," Johnny Mercer's witty "P.S. I Love You," "It's Easy To Remember," and "I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night" are the standout tracks, while the rest of the album is comparatively solid. One song that deserves a special mention, as other reviewers have pointed out, is "There's A Flaw In My Flue," a witty ballad with outright silly lyrical touches that Frank somehow imbues with enough sincerity that it works.

Do not let "Close To You's" lack of attention among Sinatra fans dissuade you from purchasing it. It is in fact one of his most solid albums and on par with his many other classic releases between 1953 and 1967. Purchase it immediately.