3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album that has been overlooked by Sinatra admirers, September 22, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Come Swing With Me (Audio CD)
This album is often overlooked when Sinatra fans discuss his better efforts. Sinatra did such great work with Nelson Riddle that it is easy to forget his many splendid collaborations with Billy May, this being a prime example. Listen to what May does on the reprise of the bridge on "That Old Black Magic" to understand how much an arranger contributes to a singer's success. Similarly, Sinatra and May make "Sentimental Journey" seem fresh and magical. There isn't a bad cut on the album,although a couple of the numbers seem a little too frantic at times. Maybe it's the great choice of songs; maybe it's the Billy May arrangements; maybe it's just Sinatra, the best singer of the century -- whatever it is, it works. And it works wonders on this album.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Frank "Phoning It In!", January 3, 2002
In order to get his own record company (Reprise) started in 1961,
Sinatra had to free himself from his contract with Capitol records, for whom he had recorded for 8 years and for whom he made some of the best albums of all time.
Sinatra agreed to cut four final albums for Capitol as part of the deal...."Come Swing With Me," with arrangements by Billy May, was one of the last; recorded in March of 1961 and released during the summer.
All four of these last recordings for Capitol have one thing in common: a disinterested Sinatra.
Eager to get his own company going, Sinatra tossed off his last performances for Capitol with all the verve of a guy reading a grocery list.
Don't get me wrong! Even a lacklustre Sinatra is better than most pop singers at their best and "Come Swing With Me" is living proof...
Sinatra did no more than one or two takes on each song, but the Billy May charts (the band split right down the middle for the stereo mix) are sensational with "Day By Day" "Ol Black Magic" and "I've Heard That Song Before" as standouts.
"Come Swing With Me" showcases the century's finest male vocalist simply tossing if off..
For a true comparason..listen to Sinatra's Reprise LP "Sinatra Swings" (also with Billy May and recorded within months of "Come Swing With Me") and you'll note the more than subtle difference in approach....
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of Frank's Best Albums with Billy May, September 17, 1998
By A Customer
You could always tell Frank had a great time doing a recording session with Billy May. It especially shows in this album on tunes like "That Old Black Magic", "The Sunny Side Of The Street", "I've Heard That Song Before" and all the rest. It's even fun to put on & sing along with while cleaning house! Highly recommended.
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