Customer Reviews

Sinatra & Basie

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If I had to pick my favorite of all of Sinatra's albums, this would be a strong contender. It's the one that hooked me on the swingingest vocalist of all time (Sonny Payne, Basie's legendary drummer, once said Frank was the only singer who could make him swing) at a time when my college roommates were into Beatlemania. From the very first song, "Pennies from Heaven," especially after his melodic alteration of the second chorus, you'll understand why Sinatra was winning all of the Downbeat jazz polls at this time. There's the bel canto, "operatic" Sinatra (try "The Concert Sinatra"); the intimate, torch-singing Sinatra (try "Only the Lonely"; the swinging Sinatra, whose affinities are with the greatest jazz instrumentalists ever. If you want the best representation of this third Sinatra, no album of Frank's (even "Songs for Swinging Lovers") can top this one, the first recorded love affair between Sinatra and Basie. The bit of roughness in the voice here no distraction (as it is on "The Main Event")-- merely an expressive "edge" (like a Coleman Hawkins' sax solo).

OK, so various professional and non-professional reviewers note that in this collection, the first of three sessions with the amazing Count Basie and his orchestra, Frank Sinatra's voice is a little gruff. According to one published account, he had been at a ball game the night before and had gotten carried away. Whether true or not, one thing is certain: this is an ESSENTIAL CD for ANYONE who wants to experience Frank Sinatra at his jazziest best. From the very first cut, Pennies from Heaven, the loving combination of the Basie organization and Sinatra produces a synthesis of punchy swing, awesome jazz "takes" on old classics -- that sound as good today as they day they were recorded. I literally had Pennies from Heaven, particularly Sinatra's second chorus, going through my head for DAYS after I heard it. And there isn't a bad cut on the CD. Each piece is a classic in sound, arrangement and phrasing. It was a best seller when it came out in 1963 and for good reason: here's Sinatra as the ultimate jazz singer, doing amazing variations on familiar melodies with one of the most crisp, "swinging" orchestras around. He had said he had waited years to do a recording with Basie and his joy shows. My favorite cuts (hard to choose) are Pennies from Heaven (the best version of this song ever recorded, and one that would win over high schoolers if played in a music class), My Kind of Girl, and Learnin' the Blues (a different arrangement than his earlier one). Oh, and yes: Sinatra's voice may NOT be as smooth as it is on some recordings. But even a "harsher" Sinatra was still better than other singers around -- and is still vintage Sinatra compared to some of his final (somewhat sad) recordings. This all-too-brief 10 piece collection is a MUST to anyone who wants to experience the 20th Century's greatest singer at his brassiest most swinging BEST.

This is a must album for any Sinatra / Basie fan. I've been listening to this album for over 30 years and it's still one of my favorites. I literally wore out two vinyl albums and now have it on CD. Whenever I listen to other Sinatra studio albums with a few of these same tunes on them they sound flat. Basie's presence gives these songs a vibrant, jumping sound that's incredible. His big band pushes Frank and the result is just fantastic. Another Sinatra/Basie album titled,"It might as well be Swing" is a good follow up purchase to add to your collection. You can't go wrong with either album. I have swayed many of my past combo bandmembers into listneing to big bands by first turning them onto both of these albums. You won't be disappointed with either of these two Sinatra / Basie Cd's.

Sinatra's best years (even when some of them are mediocre) - first with Capitol and then with his own label Reprise - can be found between 1957 and 1965. The proof is available on this 1963 pairing with Basie. From a career that wandered through it's trash, this one is orchestration and vocalization extraordinaire. This was Frank's swinging period, the black hat and suit worn to the studio to bring class to his crooning of the ironic Please Be Kind, Pennies From Heaven and Love Is the Tender Trap. Unlike earlier and latter recordings, Sinatra is flawless, a matured and whiskey-voice made God-like courtesy of his newfound genuis for the studio. Strip away the Basie-conducted orchestra and Frank would still sound heaven-sent and vice versa. There's no doubt; these recordings captured the perfection of two masters. Frank's voice is as good as it would ever get and Basie makes his orchestra swing so wide it could knock out lamp posts on a four lane highway. Basie was lucky to be included in these mastermind sessions. Frank was even luckier. But luck wasn't a lady: the Sinatra-Basie sessions prove it was a sly fusion of two men with an appreciation for art, style and cool. Nobody did it better.

Don't get me wrong! This is a great record,and will never sound dated. It's just that compared to Frank's Capitol Swingers,and even Reprise I REMEMBER TOMMY, this effort with the great Basie Band is not quite among Frank's very top efforts.Still,there are five terrific cuts here,and at least two all-time classics.The first of these is "I Won't Dance",an old warhorse done so many times,one might think it was laying on the mat by the mid-60's. But depend on Frank and Count to revitalize this one with so much fun and exuberance,you'll be humming it in your head for days after you first hear it.This is by far the best ever version,and smashes Frank's effort on Capitol.What a knockout! "Pennies" updates the "Swingin Lovers" version nicely,and is a unique addition to another warhorse."Please be Kind",and "My Kind of Girl" are outstanding versions of songs not overplayed by every jazz and pop singer.The real treat for me is "I Only Have Eyes For You",which I'd always known as a ballad,even a goofy do-op. It gets a much needed resuscition here,and Basie's throbbing swing beat gives it the backbone it always needed.Must hear! For me,the other numbers are not top Frank or Basie,but honestly the others are not among my favorites anyway.Heck what can anyone do with "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write..",one of the dullest standards out there. Anyway,make this your 5th or 6th of Frank's Swing albums.So, for a Frank novice,hold off a bit,but sooner or later you can be sure this will be a "must have" for your Frank collection.

Sinatra's voice is simply marvellous on this record. He sings with a sensuality and a rhythm that lacks on a record like "In the wee small hours". The band's playing is great too, and it makes you feel as if you were in a ball room. This CD will cheer you up whenever you feel down.

This album conjures up images of whiskey and cigarettes as part of the good life...not bad habits. The Basie orchestra cooks with propane fuel and reminds me of a happy dog thumping his tail. This CD is a great gift for those who are just learning about the Voice of the Chairman. Not a bad cut in the bunch. I have this permanently loaded in my car player. Dames love it! Snap your fingers, tap your toes, and sing along out loud.

Last Sunday's Grammy Awards Night gave me an emotional trigger to listen to this CD and appreciate its eternal charms! I was so delighted with the opening number -- Frank Sinatra and Alicia Keys' "digital duet" of "Learnin' The Blues." It was amazing and I love everything about it! The orchestral arrangement is simply grand. My heart just melted the moment Ol' Blue Eyes started singing and as always, he looked so slick and debonair. And surprisingly, I was impressed with Keys' outstanding performance, which is a showcase of her flawless phrasing, expansive vocal range and piano playing skills. I think singing the standards from Great American Songbook will truly enhanced the beauty of her vocal art. I hope someday she will record this music genre and include this great "digital duet." She will definitely do more than justice to the Great American Songbook.

It's a general knowledge amongst Sinatra fans that he waited for twenty years to realize his dream of recording with Count Basie. And this dream-come-true CD, "Sinatra-Basie" is that dream's reality. Sinatra with Count Basie and His Orchestra show their most energetic forms as they swing to Neil Hefti's over-generous chart arrangements. They surely had the most fun recording this lively album of ten tracks starting off with "Pennies From Heaven" to the finale, "I Won't Dance."

My favorites from this set include "I Only Have Eyes For You," "Love Is The Tender Trap," "Nice Work If You Can Get It" and of course "Learnin' The Blues," a song composed and written by Dolores Vicki Silvers.

"You play the same love song
It's the tenth time you've heard it
That's the beginning, just one of those clues
You've had your first lesson in learnin' the blues

When you're at home alone
The blues will taunt you constantly
When you're out in a crowd
The blues will haunt your memory

The nights when you don't sleep
The whole night you're crying
But you can't forget him
Soon you'll even stop trying

You'll walk the floor
And you wear out your shoes
When you feel that heart break
You're learnin' the blues"

If you're like me who loves the big band sound, you'll absolutely adore this CD. It's one of the finest Sinatra recordings of all-time. You might also enjoy It Might as Well Be Swing and Sinatra at the Sands for more great listens!

Wholeheartedly recommended for your listening delight forever!

"In The Wee Small Hours" and "Only The Lonely" can soak up all the praise they want (not that they don't deserve it), but in this reviewer's honest opinion, Frank has rarely if ever been better than on this album, his first collaboration with the legendary Count Basie and his orchestra. Whoever came up with the idea of combining the unsurpassable vocal talents of Frank with the top class musicianship of Count Basie and his band deserves a medal of some sort, as the end result was and is nothing short of a masterpiece.

"Pennies From Heaven" kicks off the album, and is one of the finest recordings in music. Beginnging with a few quiet splanks from The Count on the keys, the band slowly builds up to a thunderous finale, aided by Frank's magnificent vocal. "Pennies From Heaven" is perfect proof of Frank's way with lyrical interpretation. Listen to the stark cotnrast in the way he sings the first and second choruses. Simply magnificent.

"Please Be Kind" follows, and keepts thing going at breakneck speed. Swirling horns and excellent finger licks by Mr. Basie back Frank as he pleads his lover to treat him right. Frank reachers into the very heart of the song and pierces it. The way he clings to the final "Pleeeeeease..." at the end is seering. It's a swinger that builds up with the dramtic energy and majesty of one of Frank's lushest ballads.

Following this, Frank revisits "(Love Is) The Tender Trap", this time taken at a slower, more sensual place, with Frank's vocal more seductive than sweet. This version renders the 1955 original nearly obsolete. The band is on fire for this one, focused and alert. The call and response between the horn section is marvelous, and the build-up at the end as Frank heads for the final chorus is breathtaking.

"Looking At The World Thru Rose Colored Glasses" is a lightweight tune turned into a classic thanks to a great arrangement and vocal. It's the weakest tune on the album, but it's still a solid recording.

Track five is truly music magic. "My Kind Of Girl" has all the charm and appeal of "Witchcraft", with Frank describing every man's dream woman the way that only he can. (Hey, not only does she walk, talk like an angel, she can cook like on too! What a gal!). Basie and company provide a soft, lilting arrangement that makes this little known gem one to be cherished by Sinatra's most ardent fans.

"I Only Have Eyes For You" is next. This one of those songs that just about every singer of the pre-rock era recorded at least once, but this version is arguably the definitive version. Taken a brisk mid-tempo pace, with a clear, crisp vocal by The Chairman, Frank and The Count deliver a winner.

"Nice Work If You Can Get It" is fantastic. On this one, Frank is overshadowed by Sonny Cohn's fantastic trumpet skills. That being said, Frank has a lot of fun on this one, as him and Basie swing out at break neck speed.

A new version of "Learnin' The Blues" comes next. This version is nowhere near as good as the 1955 version, which has one of Frank's all time great performances and a much better arrangement. Still, this new version takes the song in a new direction, and it works out in the end, thanks in part to a well performd instruemtnal break. Frank's voiceisn't quite up to par on this one, but he still gets into the song.

"I'm Gonna St Right Down And Write Myself A Letter" begins with a slow rumble before building up to a fine conclusion. One of the most trite and uninspired entries in The Great American Songbook becomes a work of art in the right hands.

The album closes with "I Won't Dance". I'm not sure if there are words in the English language that can describe how great this recording of the wonderful Jerome Kern classic is. It starts off quietly, with a smooth, jazzy shuffle amidst Frank's quiet pensive vocal. It's when we reach the crescendo that the song ascends to a higher plane of musical excellence. Basie and the band build the bridge to a magnificent climax. Frank's final note ends this album in style.

"Sinatra-Basie" is an absolute classic with two of music's most blessed inviduals at the top of their game. All music fans should not be without a copy of this album.

Sinatra and Basie...a winning combination! If you are a Sinatra listener, make sure to invest in each possible collaboration with Basie. From "Live at the Sands", to "It Might As Well Be Swing", you'll enjoy the excitement and the energy of the Basie band backing the hippest singer in the business. Sinatra's timing and feel is the quintessential foundation for our popular music. You'll love the first take of "Pennies from Heaven". Listen for the clam in the trombones. The studio master recordings show that this wasn't the band's best take, but it was Sinatra's. Who had the final say? The boss who owned the recording studio (Reprise) and paid the bills, folks!

Enjoy this 'must buy' and remember to check out other Sinatra sites for more inside information. Ed O'Brien's "Sinatra 101" is a great resource, too.