Customer Reviews

Days of Wine and Roses, Moon River and Other Academy Award Winners

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On this day of December 12th ninety years ago, a baby boy was born to become the Entertainer-of-the-Century, the most-loved singer of all-time, the greatest singer ever lived and the most prolific interpreter of Great American Songbook. He left lasting impressions on each and every song he sung, making them his own and leaving the magic of his voice glued to every listener's ears. And I'm proud to say that I'm one of those listeners who caught the magic of his voice and his style of singing, I would say "The Sinatra Charisma."

My first exposure to his music was when I was growing up and constantly hearing from my late parents' collection of Sinatra's LP records. So his music is not new to me when I started my very own ever-growing collection. I have reviewed a number of his CDs and realized that I haven't written one for this recording of Academy Award winning songs, which is one of his greatest albums of all-time. Of course, its greatness was magnified not only by the legendary singer's superb interpretations but also by the simple fact that it was Nelson Riddle who arranged and conducted this awesome recording.

What do Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Dorothy Fields, Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini, Hoagy Carmichael, Sammy Cahn, Jim Van Heusen have in common? They were all great and each of them had made a name in the field of composing and songwriting. Likewise, they all have the much-coveted "Academy Awards Winning Songs" to add to their impressive credentials. And these winners are compiled in this CD starting off with two of my all-time favorites from Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini "Days Of Wine And Roses" (1962), and "Moon River" (1961).

The most enchanting tracks include a swing version of "The Way You Look Tonight" theme song from the 1936 movie "Swing Time." It's an achingly beautiful ditty that brings back a lot of fond memories to me. (Sigh). This song was composed by Jerome Kern and the lyrics were penned by Dorothy Fields.

"With each word your tenderness grows
Tearing my fears apart
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose
Touches my foolish heart."

One of the winners is "All The Way" (1957), my number one favorite song penned by the most eloquent songwriter America ever produced and Mr. Sinatra's very favorite lyricist, Sammy Cahn, and its music was composed by Jim Van Heusen. What a gem of a song - simply put, a sheer beauty.

The rest of the winners are "It Might As Well Be Spring" (State Fair, 1945), "The Continental" (Gay Divorcee, 1934), "Secret Love" (Calamity Jane, 1953) and "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing," from the 1955 movie of the same title.

What makes this CD a real winner? Frank Sinatra's superb singing, Nelson Riddle's sublime arrangements and orchestration and the Academy Award winning songs. It deserves a special spot in your music library.

Happy Listening!

This collection, released as "Academy Award Winners" as well as "Days of Wine and Roses," is valued by most Sinatra fans for one reason only: Sinatra's singularly swinging treatment of "Just the Way You Look Tonight." As satisfying as that performance is, the other interpretations, despite what some critics have said, are practically on a level with the Jerome Kern classic. Sinatra's the only singer I can think of who sensed, as do practically all jazz instrumentalists, that the best way to do "Days of Wine and Roses" is up-tempo. And to compare his version of "Moon River" to Andy Williams' hit version, or of a popular period piece like "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" to the hit record by The Four Aces, is to come closer to the secret of Sinatra's greatness. Neither version is simply a soaring melody transporting us to some never never land. Sinatra finds the moments of poetry and drama in the material, bringing it to life in a way that is authentically personal and unmistakably real.

The only misjudgement, and a minor one, is the ballad-like treatment of "Secret Love." Granted, the song works fine that way when addressed to the heavens by the innocent voice of Doris Day. But here's where Sinatra and Riddle should again have followed the lead of jazz instrumentalists and gone with a straightahead swinging arrangement. Had they done so, there would have been not one but at least two singularly swinging reasons for owning this album.

This album is another example of why Sinatra and Riddle worked so well together. You might think you that this is just a warmed over collection of show tunes but you would be wrong. This is a collection that shows how the exceptional can make even the familiar special. Frank is strong and clear and Nelson has the Band playing in a creative style throughout. Enjoy!

This is an album full of songs that won an Oscar. As you can see there are some good songs and also plenty of clunkers. This album is orchestrated by Nelson Riddle, but still, some of these songs cant be saved.

I think 'Way you look tonight' is the absolute best cut in the album, probably best version ever. Also worthy are "Days of wine & roses" and I really enjoy "moon river". "The continental" and "love is a splendored thing" are also very good here.

"All the way" is the same as the album "Sinatra's Sinatra". The rest of the material of this album is just so, so.

Get it while is in print, an underrated Sinatra album.

I bought this album originally for THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT which is its highlight. However, I also enjoy the others. These songs are great to dance to! Frank's singing is good on this album - not top notch as on THE CONCERT SINATRA for example but then this is a lighter album.

Nelson's orchestrations are supberb and so is the sound quality which is way better than on any of the other 60s non-remastered CDs I've heard. There is literally no HISS. What is annoying (as is the case on most of his 1960s Reprise albums) is the EXTREME STEREO seperation and the contrast of reverb - there is lots on Frank and not enough on the orchestra, especially on the string section.

...And then there is no contest!!! First off,his singing here is rough for some reason.The definitive "Way You Look Tonight" Okay,but that is mainly because of Mr. Riddle's glorious arrangement.Frank has a rough moment hitting the word "heart",though most of this tune does meet his normal remarkable standard."Days of Wine and Roses" has a very similar sound,a good cut but one you won't want to replay too much."All the Way" is well done here the second time around with less brass,more strings.Nice job,but the original is the one to hear. "Swingin on a Star"? Some sharp reviewers hear give it raves. IMHO, Bing's mellow humor,and generally silly arrangement fit this to a T. After all,this is a kid's song.Sorry, but Bing does outdo Frank on this one,and Bing recorded this twenty years earlier! "Secret Love" is really a wasted effort,and some of the others just don't do it for me. Actually,when I moved some time back,this is the only Frank CD that I kept in storage with the usual rock stuff that will remain there...Hey.I'm a Frank diehard,People who meet me probably think I'm crazy about Frank,and my response is always."No one can touch him!" (especially when any rock names come up)...But one has to be "true to your code",so I'll give this one a three,and a weak one at that. My comments on other Frank records may really be useful to the beginner,since I only give five stars to his very best,which is a heck of a lot!! Make this one maybe your 25th Frank CD purchase.

This is a terrific collection of Academy Award-winning songs performed by the best popular singer of the 20th century, Frank Sinatra. When Sinatra sings them, they become his. No question. His renditions of "The Days of Wine and Roses," "The Way You Look Tonight," and "Three Coins in the Fountain" fit Sinatra perfectly. Nelson Riddle's arrangements swing and form perfect settings for this roster of exceptional songs. Even when Sinatra croons songs originally performed in movies by females ("Secret Love" and "It Might As Well Be Spring"), he offers interesting renditions that aren't carbon copies of their celluloid versions, but more upbeat departures tailor crafted to showcase his unique style. During the period the album was recorded -- the early 1960's -- Sinatra was recording for his own label, Reprise, and was in superb voice, so the 11 songs on this CD represent not only fine songs but the very best of Sinatra's body of recorded work.

I loved this CD! First of all, who couldn't love Frank Sinatra's voice while he sings Moon River. It's an excellent CD. I'd recommend it for anyone!

Days of Wine and Roses, Moon River and Other Academy Award Winners is essentially a "concept" Frank Sinatra CD that features Frank singing great songs from the movies. Frank sounds wonderful as always on these tracks; and the selection of songs is very good although I wish we got a couple more songs here! That's especially true since the incomparable Nelson Riddle arranged and conducted the music for these recordings. The artwork is very nicely done; and the liner notes have an informative essay by Philip K. Scheuer.

"The Days Of Wine And Roses" starts the album off with an auspicious number; the musical intro is very energetic and Frank sings this very well. His excellent sense of timing enhances his performance even more; and the slightly faster than normal tempo works well even though it took me a couple of listens to think it did work. "Moon River" from Breakfast At Tiffany's has a superb arrangement for the guitar and when the strings come in it makes this melody very pretty. Frank sings this with all his heart and just one listen proves it. "Moon River" ought to bring back many memories, especially for the ladies but for the guys also; and that's fantastic.

"The Way You Look Tonight" from the movie Swing Time has a `50s and early `60s style lush musical arrangement. Frank delivers this with panache; "The Way You Look Tonight" was always one of my very favorite love songs. It's certainly timeless! The brass sounds great and the music fits in perfectly with Frank's vocals; Frank sings this as only he could and I'm sure you'll like this track when you get to hear it. "Three Coins in the Fountain" won an Oscar for Best Song of 1954 if I recall correctly; and there's no doubt as to why when you listen to this tune. "Three Coins in the Fountain" has yet another lush arrangement and Frank Sinatra never sings a superfluous note!

"Secret Love" from the movie Calamity Jane also has a very pretty melody and the tempo is just right; and listen for "It Might as Well Be Spring." "It Might as Well Be Spring" is a very sweet number and this is one of the best love songs from the movies I've ever heard. Frank attacks this song with all his might and it shows. "The Continental" comes off as nothing less than elegant; the music is very fine and Frank delivers this without a superfluous note. "The Continental" is great music for dancing with your sweetheart as is the case, really, with all of the ballads on this album.

"Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" comes from the 1955 movie of the same name; and it's a very moving number. "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" is a timeless ballad that could never go out of style; and Frank does this great justice with a sublime performance, to say the least. The album even ends strong with Frank Sinatra performing "All the Way." "All the Way" from The Joker Is Wild charms me with its beauty and it's a great choice for the ending of this CD.

Well, we could have used yet another song or two on this CD. Nevertheless, this album is still quite strong. Frank Sinatra fans will consider this a "must-have" for their collections; and fans of songs from the movies and even classic pop vocals will not be disappointed.

This 1964 compilation of Oscar winning tunes is hardly an essential purchase, but is still a very fun recording that will appeal to most Sinatra fans. Frank's voice is very much in peak form, and Nelson Riddle's orchestration are typically excellent.

The album begins with "Days Of Wine And Roses." In contrast to the more famous versions of this song, Frank and Nelson take this one as a swinger, and yet it works quite well. Frank has fun on this one as Nelson's orchestra bursts along with energy.

Frank's version of "Moon River" comes next, and it's my favorite version of the song. Frank hits some very strong notes on this one, and the arrangement is tender, atmospheric and romantic. He soars through this one with ease and his phrasing is impeccable.

Next comes the album's highlight and an absolute Frank classic. "The Way You Look Tonight" is the best Frank love song ever: his voice is perfect, Riddle's arrangement is fabulous, and Frank simply digs into the heart and soul of the song in a way no one else has ever been able to.

Next up is a remake of "Three Coins In The Fountain." Though not as good as the original 1954 version (the intro lacks the excitement of the original), it's still a very solid remake and Frank still sings it as beautifully as he had done 10 years ago.

"In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening" is a weak song that Frank nonetheless has fun with and turns into a winner.

"Secret Love" is a very pretty number often associated with Doris Day that Frank does beautifully.

Next comes "Swingin' On A Star," which aside from "The Way You Look Tonight," is the album's bes track. Frank has a ball on this one, and the song is simply a blast to listen to.

"It Might As Well Be Spring" was a song Frank had recorded in 1961 with Don Costa for the album "Sinatra & Strings." The 1961 version is superior, but this version is nonetheless.

"The Continental" is fun, but Frank's "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" is a true winner. One of his most powerful vocal performances, Franks pounds this one in a manner nothing short of fantastic.

The version of "All The Way" is the same as the one from 1963's "The Concert Sinatra." A fine remake, very lush and romantic.

This album is not a masterpiece, but is worth buying for sure.