Sinatra Treasures [Hardcover]

Charles Pignone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2004

204 black-and-white and colour illustrations, 30 removable artifacts and a 60-minute CD. Created in conjunction with The Frank Sinatra Estate, The Sinatra Treasures tells the story of Sinatra's life with rare and never-before-published quotes from those he loved and those he worked with - and from the Chairman of the Board himself. More than 200 hundred black-and-white and full-colour images from several Sinatra archives as well as a script for one of his radio shows and a Sinatra family photo album provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Sinatra's world and talent. Also included is a new compilation CD of rare interviews and songs featuring such gems as a monologue onstage at the Sands Hotel and Sinatra singing a parody of 'High Hopes' for John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign. This celebration of the many elements of Frank Sinatra - as singer, as actor, as humanitarian, as friend - brings to life as never before the man who made the standards standard.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This marvelous paean to the chairman of the board comes from the person who is perhaps the ultimate source of Sinatra information—Pignone, archivist for the Sinatra family and the president of the Sinatra Society of America fan club, working in collaboration with the Sinatra family. Those seeking scandal and intrigue should look elsewhere, for this volume has been lovingly put together, like a family album. The 204 black-and-white and color photos (some familiar, most not) tell the story of Sinatra as friends, relatives, and fellow musicians and singers—from his children to professionals such as Sammy Kahn and Billy May—offer their memories. But what stands out are the many realistic and beautifully reproduced memorabilia tucked into sleeves throughout: e.g., a 1944 radio program script between Sinatra (known then as "The Voice") and comedian Bert Wheeler; a 1942 New York Giants baseball scorecard advertising a Sinatra performance with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra; telegrams and letters; the piano score to "My Way" (a song, Pignone explains, Sinatra disliked for its "self-indulgent, self-reverential lyrics"). Pignone also allows readers to see what Sinatra himself had to say on any given subject, with ample quotes throughout. Rounding out this extraordinarily rich and entertaining volume is a CD containing early live recordings, some songs (e.g., from the Frank Sinatra show in 1945) and talk, including a 1981 WNEW interview with Arlene Francis.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Charles Pignone is the archivist for the Sinatra family. His duties include organizing and maintaining the enormous stores of photographs and memorabilia collected over the course of Sinatra's life as well as producing liner notes for several Sinatra albums. Pignone has been president of America's largest Sinatra fan club since 1984.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Virgin Hardbacks (September 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852271841
• ISBN-13: 978-1852271848
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,728,095 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE perfect gift for a Sinatra fan, October 30, 2004

By 

MovedbyMusic - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sinatra Treasures: Intimate Photos, Mementos, and Music from the Sinatra Family Collection (Hardcover)

There have been all kinds of Sinatra compilations of gorgeous songs interpreted by this legendary singer, but this dignified and loving tribute to Frank Sinatra is the most wonderful retrospective I've ever seen. The book contains quotes and photos, many never released until now, and reprints of some amazing memorabilia all neatly sleeved and achived in the most organized and dignified fashion. This was put together with great care, attention-to-detail, time and sincerity.

The cd included is not a recompilation you've already heard before but there is actually an excerpt from an early radio show and some touching songs that really exemplify the extraordinary talent of Frank Sinatra.

If you have any sentiment for Sinatra's effect on our culture you have to peruse through this book. Incredible.

Top pick for Holiday gifts of '04.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Collection Of Treasured Sinatra Memorabilia, January 17, 2005

By 

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Sinatra Treasures: Intimate Photos, Mementos, and Music from the Sinatra Family Collection (Hardcover)

"I've sung and recorded so many wonderful songs over the years it would be impossible to name one in particular as my favorite. Many of them are special to me for one reason or another . . . The ones that stick in my mind are "Only the Lonely," "In The Wee Small Hours" and "Come Fly With Me" because I think the orchestrator's work and my work came together so well." ~ Francis Albert Sinatra (1915-1998)

I was at my favorite bookstore, Borders (teamed up with Amazon.com lately) over the weekend and bought one of the most-coveted Sinatra keepsakes any fan like me would love to have, "The Sinatra Treasures." Charles Pignone, a Sinatra friend and archivist, and also the President of Sinatra Society of America, did an excellent job in putting this book of intimate photos and never before published treasured mementos from the Sinatra Family Collection. This one-of-a-kind hardcover consists of 192 pages of valuable black & white and color photos of Sinatra with film and music celebrities such as Dean Martin, Quincy Jones, Sammy Cahn & Jule Styne, Nancy, Frank, Jr. & Tina Jr., his wife Tina, Harry James, Tommy Dorsey & Pied Pipers, Bing Crosby, Orson Welles, his parents Marty & Dolly Sinatra, "Anything Goes" co-stars Bert Lahr & Ethel Merman, Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Gene Kelly, Robert Farnon and Orchestra on the rehearsal of "Great Songs Of Great Britain," his co-stars on "From Here To Eternity" Montgomery Cliff & Burt Lancaster, his co-star on "High Society" Princess Grace, and his famous favorite arranger, Nelson Riddle, not to mention political icons such as the late Presidents Reagan and Kennedy, the former President George Bush, and former First Ladies Barbara Bush and Nancy Reagan.

This excellent book also offers a compilation CD of songs as well as rare interviews and radio programs; anecdotes; quotes from the star himself and from his daughters Nancy and Tina, and son Frank Jr.; letters written by Sinatra as well as letters written to him by famous musical and movie legends, and famous political figures. There are also rare photographs of Sinatra with the charismatic late President Ronald Reagan whom "he loved, respected and campaigned for." And according to him, "probably none was closer to his heart than his old friend from the movie lots, the late President Reagan."

The Forewords were written by Frank Sinatra, Jr. and one of the greatest arrangers/conductors, Quincy Jones who wrote one of the most unforgettable anecdotes on Sinatra, and according to him was the first time he'd been called "Q" and the last he'd heard from him until 1962.

"Q, wouldn't it be kooky if we added Johnny Mandel's new song, "The Shadow Of Your Smile," to the show? "No Problem. Can you learn the lyrics by tomorrow?" He gave me a look and began writing the words on a pad, over and over again. Eighteen pages. I dozed off. When I woke up he was still writing, force-feeding the subconscious." ~ Excerpt from the Foreword written by Quincy Jones on September 2003.

Some of the many goodies of this wonderful book are the 'inserts' consisting of reproductions of cherished mementos such as scripts from his Radio Programs; a very nice Victorian style eight-pages photo album; "It Might As Well Be Swing" label copy; a piano sheet of his famous "My Way"; 1942 Official Score Card of New York Giants; a telegram from my favorite Princess and his co-star from "High Society," the very elegant late Grace Kelly, congratulating him on his Oscar victory; 1981 Presidential Inaugural Gala Program produced by Sinatra and a lot more.

Following are the most remarkable quotes from the famous musical icon in the 20th Century.

"When I was nine or ten years old, I would sing with the piano at my father's bar. One day I got a nickel for singing, and that's where it all began. I thought, 'This is the racket to be in'."

"My mother influenced me a great deal. She was a self-taught woman, very bright, had a good common sense and was a hard worker... My earliest childhood memories of my father, Marty, are in the kitchen. He did much of the cooking."

"I like recording late at night. The later the better. My voice was not meant for daytime use."

"I seldom listen to my own recordings. I was once on Catalina Island years ago at a place called Christian's Hut, and Duke Wayne was at the bar. Suddenly, on the jukebox comes my recording of 'One For My Baby', and John Wayne turned to me and said, 'What the hell do you listen to when you're alone at three o-clock in the morning?"

"My toast is simply that I wish everyone thousands of times more than I have gotten in my life. I've been a man overly rewarded in my lifetime, and that's a fact. I appreciate what's happened to me, and I wish everyone in the world a lot of sweet things, pleasant dreams, hugging, kissing, and peace in our time. And may the last voice you hear be mine!"

This is a kind of book worthy to any Sinatra fan. It's a must-have and I highly recommend it, otherwise, you'll miss out on a lot of things to be learned about the greatest musical legend ever lived, the world's most famous entertainer, the Voice of the Century and the Chairman of the Board, none other than the late Mr. Francis Albert Sinatra.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FAN-tastic keepsake, October 20, 2004

By 

Dr. Emil "Tom" Shuffhausen (Central Gulf Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sinatra Treasures: Intimate Photos, Mementos, and Music from the Sinatra Family Collection (Hardcover)

It is as if I have suddenly and unexpectedly come into possession of a Sinatra family album...this book is like an intimate scrapbook of memorabilia that will thrill any fan. Lovingly put together by Charles Pignone and the Sinatra estate, the book offers many pleasing images...many that have never before been seen by the public. The book also contains many "facsimile" items--beautifully reproduced programs, lyric sheets, and other fun memorabilia. Pignone's composition of pictures, quotes, and commentary is stellar. It all flows together like a great concept album. The CD included in this package is a revelation, offering music and interviews...one last chance to hear "The Voice." For the Sinatra fan, this book is a must-have keepsake.