Customer Reviews

Keely Sings Sinatra

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I was a bit young and so missed Keely Smith from her heyday has a Las Vegas singer. I really only knew her from her famous recording of "Old Black Magic," with her then husband, Louis Prima. A friend recently gave me a Capitol CD of her singing from the late 50s and I enjoyed her gorgeous voice and excellent style. So when I noticed she made a recording of songs in tribute to Frank Sinatra, I was curious. But calculating her age to be around 70 today, I thought "my, she's ambitious." I checked out the excellent reviews on Amazon.com and decided to take the plunge. I'm glad I did. This is the pop album of the year so far. Smith is in extraordinary form, singing out, never shying from top notes, displaying an still impressive breathing technique, and she swings as well as Ole Blue Eyes at his best. I spent the weekend playing the CD over and over again, even to enthusiastic dinner guests on Saturday night, who were as bowled over as I was.

Smith establishes the cocky, confident and exciting Sinatra persona on the first track with a slowly insinuating "South of the Border." But you don't always have Sinatra in mind as she works her magic on "I've Got A Crush on You," "Night and Day," "I'll Never Smile Again," "Dream," "Angel Eyes," "New York, New York," "All The Way," "It Was A Very Good Year," "My Way," and others. My absolute favorite on the CD is an amazingly fresh and vibrant account of "I've Got You Under My Skin." Keely Smith is superbly backed by the Frank Capp Orchestra. Arrangements include several by the legendary Billy May. The packaging is superb. All I can say is GET THIS!!!

We've seen a lot of comebacks of the great pop singers of yesterday--Rosemary Clooney, Barbara Cook, Jack Jones, Shirley Horne, Nina Simone, Vic Damone, and so many others. Until now, Cook has been the only singer who didn't have to make vocal concessions to her age, and is still singing superbly well in to her 70s. Keely Smith has got the chops of a 30-year-old. And if I can ever get to hear this lady live, I'm gonna be in the first row. Keely Smith can sing kids 40 years younger than her off the stage!

Sinatra imitators are a dime a dozen. Every lounge lizard from Lexington to Las Vegas can ape Frank's mannerism and try to duplicate his unique and wonderful phrasing. But like a Time Square Rolex not much substance lies underneath those surface similarities. Rare is the singer that has enough substance and confidence in his or her own style to pay homage to one of the 20th century's great performers by giving new life and meaning to a collection of Frank's signature songs. Tony Bennett's Perfectly Frank is one. Keely Smith's Keely Sings Sinatra is another. She has not paid tribute to Sinatra here by attempting to be a mere Sinatra impersonator. Instead, she has paid homage but taking a compilation of Sinatra's most popular songs and invested it with her own skill, talent, and most of all her own influence and interpretation. Keely pays great tribute here because she does what Frank did so well, she puts all her talent and heart into a song.

Keely is a fine product of the Big Band era, one of the few still performing today. She may be best remembered for her classic work with Louis Prima. She was also a long standing friend of Sinatra's. By all accounts Sinatra was a big fan of Keely's and loved her work.

Each track on this CD is a gem. As one would expect, this CD is a compilation of songs that are all instantly recognizable as Sinatra `signature songs'. South of the Border, I've Got a Crush on You, Night and Day, and Angel Eyes highlight some of Sinatra's earlier `very good years'. These are followed by a very brief Happy Birthday tribute to Sinatra. (The CD was recorded on Frank's birthday while he was still alive but not released until well after his passing.) Next comes a selection of some of Frank's hits from his later `very good years' including : New York, New York, It Was a Very Good Year, and My Way.

It is on these later selections that Keely is at her finest. Those songs are not in my opinion, standing alone, great songs. They only achieved greatness (or great popularity) because Sinatra took them and made them unique. Generally, when I hear anyone attempt New York, New York, Very Good Year, or My Way, I simply cringe at the attempt. Much to my delight Keely does a great job with these songs. With It Was a Very Good Year she opts for a more upbeat tempo and changes the word I to `he'. This transforms the original song from a somewhat wistful recollection of her own life into something of a celebration of Sinatra's. On the other hand, Keely opts to take a bit of the anthem-like power out of My Way. Rather than a powerful and proud recitation it becomes more of a wistful reflection of Keely's own life. In essence, Keely has imbued each song with the original attribute of the other. It works wonderfully and made each song sound fresher than it has in years.

Lastly, a word for the background orchestra and the arrangers. The orchestrations, particularly the arrangements suited Keely's voice without drowning her in a wall of sound. They were reminiscent of Sinatra's old arrangements but were not slavish imitations. The studio musicians, in particular the Frankie Capp Orchestra fit Keely like a glove. Incredibly, Keely's voice has held up remarkably well over the years. If anything her voice sounds better now than it ever has.

This is a great CD. If you are a Sinatra fan or a Keely Smith fan, or just nostalgic for the Big Band days you won't be disappointed. If you are new to Keely Smith this is as good a place to start as any.

For those Sinatra fans (of which I am a life-long fan), this CD is a fantastic tribute to the man and his music. For those Keely Smith fans, this CD is an absolute essential addition to your collections.

For music lovers everywhere, this CD and it's timeless music is one that you should buy. Keely is in fantastic voice and the Frank Capp orchestra provides her with a powerful, tight Billy May feel to many classic songs.

Keely's rendition of "All the Way" is powerful, touching, yet warm and light. Her version of "This is a Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" will find you hitting the back or repeat button on your CD player.

We should be grateful that Keely has provided us with a masterpiece.

Keely Smith just keeps getting better and better. Referred to as "the female Frank Sinatra" by Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., Keely recorded this album in 2001, when she was sixty-nine years old. Her voice is as strong and pure as it always has been, a voice seemingly impervious to the usual ravages of time. Recording some of Frank Sinatra's most famous songs, this album is, as Keely says, "a labor of love," a celebration both of Frank's career and of the recording relationship Keely and Frank shared in the 1960s. Sinatra himself, seriously ill when this recording was made, specifically asked Keely to record "Angel Eyes," telling her by phone that he loved the CD after it was completed.

Both Sinatra and Keely Smith worked with Nelson Riddle and Billy May, whose arrangements echo throughout this album, featuring the full Frankie Capp Orchestra. Introduced by Frank Sinatra, Jr., the album begins with the light "South of the Border," the lovely ballad "I've Got a Crush on You," and the passionate "Night and Day." Gradually, the selections become more complex, drawing more fully on Keely's versatility, timing, and note-perfect range of several octaves. "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" is at least as good as any version Sinatra recorded, and "Come Rain or Come Shine" features a vampy interpretation and Keely's wonderful, controlled vibrato. In "I've Got You Under My Skin," Keely soars, completely confident in her strong voice and its ability to hold its own in concert with a full orchestra, all playing full-out.

The second half of the album features Frank's most famous songs, including "New York, New York," "It Was a Very Good Year," and "My Way," all done with sensitivity, emotion, and Keely's full-voiced style. (Keely reveals in the liner notes that Sinatra was amazed that she was still able to hit the final high note of "My Way" so easily.) Frank Sinatra, Jr. closes the album with a forty-five second tribute to his father. The love just oozes from this album as every person involved in it pours out his/her heart. With Keely singing these songs in much the way that Sinatra sang them in the early and middle part of his career, they remind the listener just how huge Sinatra was for over forty years--and how huge Keely remains. Mary Whipple

Concord presents this one of a kind singer - Keely Smith, with the Frank Capp Orchestra and my kind of music. In a rousing follow-up to her acclaimed "comeback" album "Swing, Swing, Swing" (CCD-4882-2), Keely goes right to "The Chairman of the Board" for her inspiration - take a listen as "Keely Sings Sinatra", Frank has been, a friend, mentor, and loving musical spirit for so many years.

In this heartfelt tribute we find Keely singing better than ever, and swingin' all the way. Just note the big band and lush strings as we share a collection of gems made popular by "Ol' Blue Eyes" - with a standard of quality in performing that made them both famous.

This is the music we grew up with, thank you Bobby Milano (producer), Charlie Paakkari (engineer), Dennis Michaels, Billy May, Don Menza, Frank Collett (all arrangers) and Concord Records...but most of all keep singing our favorite tunes - KEELY SMITH!

Total Time: 69:06 on 20 Tracks...Concord Records CCD-4943-2...(2001)

As a relative latecomer to big band music I stumbled on the LP reissue of Keely's Swingin' Pretty Album in the mid 80s. I had no idea who she was but really enjoyed her smoky vocals over those classic Nelson Riddle/Billy May (et al) Capitol arrangements. In a similar state of ignorance (sorry Keely) I had no idea she was still recording till I similarly stumbled upon this CD whilst browsing Amazon and, on an impulse, ordered it.

Funny thing is I nearly cancelled the order because I figured there was no way either a contemporary band could be as good as that fabulous Capitol studio band - nor did I dare hope that Keely's voice could have fended off the passage of 40 years. Boy am I glad I didn't! Once you get past the slightly schmaltzy introduction by Frank Sinatra Jr (justifiable given the project but it may put off some listeners), the Frankie Capp orchestra kicks into classic Capitol mode and Keely sings with authority and verve. Sure, the voice has changed but with the changes have come new flavours and a wicked sense of timing - and humour. The Sinatra songs covered are mostly what one would expect, but the real pleasure is that they are executed not apologetically but with a driving, punchy feel. Even the ballads are imbued with a sense of energy. Particularly thrilling is the version of "I've Got You Under My Skin" which is only the lightest reworking of that classic Riddle arrangement. At last a chance to hear in digital stereo a superb modern band play that incredible instrumental section half way through the song - complete with slick trombone solo and Keely cheering the band on from the vocal booth. Tingle factor = 100%

If, like me, you are hesitating before buying this because you fear disappointment, hesitate no longer - you won't be sorry. It's living proof that the REALLY good things in life endure forever!

Haven't you always wondered what some of Sinatra's songs would sound like if a woman sang them? Well, wonder no longer and just buy this fabulous album! Keely Smith not only was a great singer who came of age during Sinatra's heyday, she also happened to be a really close friend of his. This only adds to the appeal of her latest album - "Keely Sings Sinatra". Keely voice is better than ever on this collection of Sinatra standards. All of his best are represented in this collection - including, "My Way", "I Got You Under My Skin", and "Angel Eyes". The Chairman of the Board would no doubt be proud of this incredible album. Recommended not only for fans of Keely, but also casual fans of Mr. Sinatra. You will NOT be disappointed!

As a Sinatra fan (and a Keely fan), I must say this album is fabulous! Keely's singing is great and the Frankie Capp Orchestra is fantastic (4 arrangements by Billy May).

I heard Keely last year in concert and was amazed at the purity of her voice. It really comes through on this CD. She truly shines!

This album is a love album ... Keely's love for her pal Frank ...a perfect tribute to the world's greatest voice by the "female Frank Sinatra." - Don't waste any time, buy this CD.

Keely Smith is not widely known and, as far as I know, underrated. Amazon has so far tried to get me to review her "Swing, Swing, Swing" album - she ranks and she ranks very high.

This album is a celebration of Frank Sinatra's career hits recorded on the occasion of his birthday after his death. There is an intro by Frank Sinatra, Jr. and a few words by Keely and a "Happy Birthday, Frank!" from the band about halfway through. She is accompanied by a great, big, talented band (orchestra?) all the way through.

With this CD, Keely has probably become my favorite female vocalist.

Yes, she does "New York, New York". She does "It Was a Very Good Year (lyrics slightly altered)", but she doesn't do "Chicago" at least this time around.

Can she get any more amazing? I think Keely Smith is around seventy now and her voice is still a true classic. On her newest album Keely Sings Sinatra she pays tribute to ol' blues eyes by covering seventeen of his songs with true heart felt emotion. From what I have read, Sinatra heard the master of Keely Sings Sinatra before he passed away and raved about it, saying, "Injun (that was his nickname for Keely), when did you start singing like this?" She replied by saying, "I always sang like this, you just never listened." This album is a great tribute to a timeless icon and his timeless songs including "My Way" and "New York, New York".