Point of No Return [Import]

Frank Sinatra | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 30, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Europe Generic
• ASIN: B000002UDN
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,981 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. When the World Was Young

2. I'll Remember April

3. September Song

4. A Million Dreams Ago

5. I'll See You Again

6. There Will Never Be Another You

7. Somewhere Along the Way

8. It's a Blue World

9. These Foolish Things

10. As Time Goes By

11. I'll Be Seeing You

12. Memories of You

13. Day In - Day Out [*]

14. Don't Make a Beggar of Me [*]

15. Lean Baby [*]

16. I'm Walking Behind You [*]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Though already in business in 1961 with his own record label, Sinatra was contractually obligated to give Capitol one more record before moving on to Reprise. Sinatra gave them the ironically titled Point of No Return, which is hardly the deal-fulfilling throwaway one might expect. Expertly arranged and conducted by longtime Sinatra ally Alex Stordahl, it's an elegant collection of farewell songs (including "I'll See You Again," "As Time Goes By," "There Will Never Be Another You," and "It's a Blue World"), delivered by Sinatra with a profound sense of sadness and loss. Fans of such downbeat Sinatra concept albums as In the Wee Small Hours and Sings for Only the Lonely would do well to pick up on this oft-overlooked gem. --Dan Epstein

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Pinnacle., March 28, 2002

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Point of No Return (Audio CD)

If it's tempting to pass this recording by because of its being Sinatra's last "contractual obligation" to Capitol or because of the assumption that Sinatra's old Columbia orchestrator, Axel Stordahl, was wanting in comparison to Nelson Riddle and Gorden Jenkins, dismiss the thought immediately. This is Sinatra at his very best--feeling, thinking every lyric; breathing, living every phrase--but also achieving an intimate relationship with his orchestrator that borders on the uncanny.

Take "There Will Never Be Another You." After the first time through, the orchestra plays the melody to the final 8-bar section, building to a crescendo that the singer picks up on like a relay runner, taking it to an even higher level. Or "It's a Blue World" when, after the first pass, Stordahl daringly gives the melody to practically the entire orchestra, challenging the singer to match the orchestra's melodic statement in boldness and intensity. He uses the same device on the last 8 bars of "I'll See You Again," defying conventional wisdom about not duplicating the singer's melodic line. The point is that it works. As though sensing that he's not being provided with mere "settings," Sinatra rises to the occasion, responding to the orchestra's prodding voice as a Domingo might sing if paired with a Rene Fleming.

The song selection is equally inspired, from the essential ("As Time Goes By") to the mistreated (Noel Coward's "I'll See You Again") to the fragile ("When the World Was Young"--given a time-capsule reading here). Only "A Million Dreams Ago" represents a falling-off from the standard maintained throughout the rest of the album. But more than atoning are the 4 extra song selections from an earlier Sinatra-Stordahl Capitol recording session. In fact, one of these performances, in particular, is all by itself worth the price of the album: "Day In-Day Out."

No musical artist registers deeper and truer emotions on the theme of "obsession" than Sinatra. His many recorded versions of "Night and Day" range from swing to ballad, from orchestral strings to solo guitar accompaniment, yet each version registers the song's message of driving obsession more convincingly than the interpretations of any other performer. The same is true of Sinatra's different versions of "Day In-Day Out," but not only is the version here the most expressive of the lot: it's perhaps Sinatra's most artful, most soulful performance on record, more deeply felt, even, than "I'm a Fool to Want You."

As for the voice on both dates, it's never sounded healthier, which is a good thing because Stordahl makes Sinatra sing his heart out.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The most overlooked album from Frank's Capitol years, March 23, 2004

By 

MilesAndTrane (Chicago, Il USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Point of No Return (Audio CD)

When praising Sinatra's concept albums, few give "Point Of No Return" any high priority. As his last album for Capitol Records, you'd think Frank would have filled up this 'contract filler' with a batch of leftovers and throwaway tunes. I was extremely surprised myself when I first heard this album, it is absolutely beautiful! This is an unexpected gift if you love Sinatra's sad saloon masterpieces like "In The Wee Small Hours" or "Only The Lonely" (which this album has been repeatedly compared to, although I think it shares more similarities with the "No One Cares" and "Where Are You?" albums). Sadness, nostalgia, regret, longing and loneliness are the emotions running throughout, but not the "24-karat manic-depressive" variety that you know Frank can display. This is a more gentle album - wistful, melancholy, somber, almost meditative at times.

The album has that unmistakable after hours, late-night atmosphere - you can hear it in the yearning and emotion of Sinatra's voice - graceful, classy and instantly recognizable. As Frank's arranger, Alex Stordahl never won the praise that Nelson Riddle, Billy May or Gordon Jenkins earned, but he does an impressive job here. Emphasizing strings instead of horns (as Jenkins also did), Stordahl's orchestra moves with ease from lighter-than-air romance into heavy drama, sometimes within the same song - especially on "When The World Was Young" and "It's A Blue World". Another surprise is Frank's slow-paced reading on the American classic "September Song," sounding much more relaxed than the faster version on the "September Of My Years" album. Even "These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You" gets turned around from a playful love song into a mournful flashback of better days gone by. Only Frank can do this!

Perhaps it's intentional that this "farewell" album doesn't stand out too much amongst fans, because it's full of emotions from the guy at the bar that you never notice. He's sitting in the corner alone, stretching out his last drink for as long as he can, because he knows he's got to get up soon, walk away from the memories washing through his mind, and go back into the real world...but for the time being, for the moment, the memories remain. This album sounds exactly as the cover painting suggests.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frank could sell these songs without even trying--he was always THAT good !!!, May 13, 2008

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Point of No Return (Audio CD)

Point of No Return was Frank Sinatra's last album for Capitol Records before he went on to record on his own label called Reprise Records. Point Of No Return is a very strong album with numerous highlights that prove just how great Frank Sinatra's voice was at this point in his illustrious career. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.

The CD starts with a most passionate number entitled "When The World Was Young;" Frank delivers this with great sensitivity and I love every minute of it! The lush musical arrangement enhances the natural beauty of this ballad and it all works very well. "I'll Remember April" is another charming number with a very pretty melody and I predict that you'll enjoy this very much.

"September Song" is one of the most beautiful ballads I have ever heard; and when The Chairman sings this out he really does justice to this tune! Frank's voice is able to convey so many emotions to the listener and that's absolutely fantastic. In addition, listen for "There Will Never Be Another You;" this touching ballad tugs at my heartstrings when I hear it and Frank's rendition is really the best of all I've ever heard. "These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You" gets the royal treatment from Frank Sinatra; and the strings are used to great advantage. I also like that piano arrangement, too!

"As Time Goes By" is, of course, one of the greatest love songs ever written; and Frank sings this with lots of feeling. Franks delves into this tune to make his performance a masterful one and it's very memorable. "As Time Goes By" is an excellent highlight of this album. "I'll Be Seeing You" stuns me with its beauty; this nostalgic, sentimental number also tugs at my heartstrings and Frank Sinatra's version is sublime.

"Day In Day Out" features Frank squarely front and center--right where he belongs! The strings are lovely and the harp is equally beautiful. Frank plays with the tempo a bit to place his own mark on this classic pop love song. "Lean, Baby" reverts to a much more upbeat melody that is catchy and very entertaining. Frank sings this with positive energy and I really like "Lean, Baby" an awful lot. The CD also ends well with Frank Sinatra performing "I'm Waling Behind You." "I'm Walking Behind You" sounds very sweet and this sentimental ballad is an excellent ending for this album.

Frank Sinatra moved the hearts of so many countless people; we truly are so much better off for his sharing his gift and artistry with us. This is a must-have for Sinatra fans; and people who like classic pop vocals and even torch songs will like this album, too.